France discovers new variant of COVID-19
In a recent development, a new strain of the coronavirus that originated in the UK has been detected in the French city of Tours. However, it's essential to clarify that this information is based on a report by Almaty.tv, citing Euronews, and there are no confirmed reports of a unique set of symptoms or transmissibility profile associated with this strain specifically in Tours.
The city of Tours, like many other parts of France, is currently dealing with various viral outbreaks, such as chikungunya virus and dengue, but these outbreaks are unrelated to COVID-19. Furthermore, there are ongoing concerns about other viral variants, including the "Stratus" or NB.1.8.1 variant, which is spreading in the US and Europe, including countries like the UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy. This variant is showing rising infection rates but is currently assessed by the World Health Organization (WHO) as low risk globally.
It's important to note that the ongoing surveillance continues on COVID variants globally, but the latest documented variant "Stratus" is considered low risk despite rising cases. As of current knowledge, this new strain detected in Tours is also less virulent compared to previous strains.
In a separate development, Christmas celebrations in Spanish nursing homes occurred under new restrictive measures due to the pandemic. Relatives of residents could only communicate with them through a glass barrier or fence, and direct contact was not allowed.
On a positive note, the first trucks carrying the coronavirus vaccine arrived in Greece, and vaccination will begin in five Athens clinics this Sunday. Italy also received 9,750 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine on Friday.
As always, it's crucial to stay informed and follow public health guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other viruses. For up-to-date specifics on COVID variants or viral outbreaks in France or Europe, the current best sources are national public health agencies and WHO reports, none of which indicate a new UK-derived COVID strain centered in Tours.
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