Two new versions of COVID alert the WHO, the Emergency Committee convenes immediately

The World Health Organization is alarmed by the rapid spread of the new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, a mutation that is highly contagious. The second year of the pandemic could become even more severe. 

Due to the rapid spread of the new variant of the Corona virus worldwide, the Emergency Committee of the World Health Organization, WHO convenes on Thursday in Geneva to consult on current developments, two weeks ahead of schedule.

Two mutations of the virus have been detected in South Africa and the UK, both of which are considered far more contagious than current forms. These mutations are now distributed in 50 countries around the world. Meanwhile, Japan announced the discovery of a new mutation, which probably originated in the Amazon area in Brazil. This variant is currently being researched.

The second year of the pandemic could be even more severe, according to the WHO. The reason for this is the spread of the virus, said WHO Deputy Director General Mike Ryan. The epidemiologist who coordinates the fight against the pandemic, says that this especially affects the northern hemisphere of the globe because of the new variants.

The Iberian Peninsula in crisis

From Friday Portugal enters a new lockdown. Prime Minister Antonio Costa called for work from home, where possible. "The rule is very simple: We should all be home." The pandemic has reached the most critical stage in this country, compared to the population, Portugal with 8,200 deaths and 507,000 infections is among the countries with the highest figures in the last seven days. Infection rates have also risen in Spain. While 91.65 million people have been infected worldwide, 1.966 million have died from the virus, according to a Reuters estimate.

International team in Wuhan

Of late, but finally China allowed the World Health Organization team to investigate the origin of the virus. The team of 10 people has meanwhile arrived in Wuhan, the place where at the end of 2019 the first outbreak of the infection was discovered. WHO experts will have to stay in quarantine for two weeks, according to very strict regulations of the Chinese authorities./DW