What is the truth about the new strain of Corona virus that appeared in France

Arab Weather - The French Ministry of Health announced in a statement late yesterday, Monday, that the French authorities had discovered a new strain of the emerging corona virus in the northwestern Brittany region, as the new strain was found in a group of cases in the Central Hospital in Lanyon, and this came The announcement comes as the French healthcare system struggles with the rise in coronavirus cases.

However, the French Ministry of Health clarified, based on the initial analysis, that the new strain does not appear to be more dangerous or more transmissible than other previous strains, and the study is still ongoing to better understand this new strain and its impact. Experiments will also be conducted to determine how this strain interacts with the vaccination and the antibodies that have been developed in the bodies of those who have been previously infected.

On Monday, French President Emmanuel Macron said that new measures will be taken in the coming days on how to contain the increase in the number of cases, and the president stressed the importance of protecting the most vulnerable groups in society while protecting the economy, the education system and the mental health of people.

The French government has tried to avoid entering a third nationwide lockdown. Instead, the authorities imposed curfews and some restrictions on the weekend.

According to media reports, officials are expecting a new lockdown in the Paris region, as intensive care units are running out of beds amid an increase in daily registered cases and slow vaccine rollout. Health authorities have begun transferring patients from hospitals in Paris to other cities.

On Monday, France recorded the highest increase in coronavirus cases in intensive care units since November, with 4,219 cases admitted within 24 hours.

France has also discontinued the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, and followed suit with other countries due to reports of blood clotting complications.