Patient in Italy infected with new strain of coronavirus found in Britain

A patient in Italy has been infected with the new strain
of the coronavirus, that was first reported in Britain, the Italian health ministry said on
Sunday, Reuters reported.

The patient along with his
partner returned to Italy from the United Kingdom recently, landing in Rome’s
Fiumicino airport and were in isolation. 

Also read: Countries that have blocked flights from UK

Spreading extremely fast, the new strain of coronavirus has
led cases to rise significantly across Britain, prompting its several European nations and Canada to block flights from the country.

AFP quoted Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza as saying
that he has signed a decree “which blocks flights from Great Britain and
prohibits entry into Italy of people who have stayed there during the last 14
days”.

Reportedly, Speranza’s statement further added that any recent
traveller from Britain must be tested for the coronavirus as a precautionary
measure.

Also read: EU officials to meet as new coronavirus strain rampages UK

Europe became the first region in the world to have crossed
500,000 deaths from the deadly viral disease.

“Across Europe, where transmission is intense and
widespread, countries need to redouble their control and prevention approaches,” AFP reported, quoting a WHO spokesperson as saying.