London enters an emergency blockade after a new strain of COVID-19 infects the city. London, England is entering an emergency blockade as a wave of COVID-19 infections caused by a new rapidly spreading strain has been found in the city. The new policy is a major change in plans for the city, which had previously planned to ease restrictions as we approach the holidays. Bloomberg reports that the strain is currently unique in the United Kingdom. Sixty percent of new cases in London in the last week were the result of the new strain. “There is no current evidence to suggest that the new strain causes a higher mortality rate or that it affects vaccines and treatments, although urgent work is being done to confirm this,” said Chris Whitty, England’s medical director. “Given this latest development, it is now more vital than ever for the public to continue to act in its area to reduce transmission.” The new restrictions include a home stay order, closing all non-essential stores, indoor entertainment and much more. The rules will be reviewed on December 30. [Via]
“When the virus changes its method of attack, we must change our method of defense,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson told a news conference on Saturday. “Without action, evidence suggests that infections would increase, hospitals would become overwhelmed and many thousands more would lose their lives.”