The new strain is considered more contagious and was the reason why many European countries had suspended traffic with the United Kingdom. In Latvia, it has been found in one sample for the time being.
At the moment, there is no information regarding which region the sample was taken in.
The Ministry of Health (VM) said that this case did involve travel to Britain.
Commercial flights to and from the United Kingdom were suspended December 20 when the new strain was identified, but were re-started on January 2, as reported by LSM at the time. Flights are again suspended from January 11.
"The Latvian Biomedical Research and Studies Center has identified the new strain, which is significantly more infectious and which is considered to originate in the United Kingdom. This case involves travelling to Britain. Therefore, epidemiologists remind of the requirement to return from Britain to perform the Covid-19 test and very carefully comply with self-isolation requirements," said VM spokesman Oskars Šneiders.
❗️Latvijas Biomedicīnas pētījumu un studiju centrs viena Covid-19 pacienta paraugā konstatējis koronavīrusa variantu, kas ir ievērojami infekciozāks un par kura izcelsmi tiek uzskatīta Apvienotā Karaliste. Šis gadījums ir saistīts ar ceļojumu uz Apvienoto Karalisti.
— SPKC.gov.lv (@SPKCentrs) January 10, 2021
