The new variant of the coronavirus discovered in the United Kingdom, which has a higher rate of transmission, is not out of control, the World Health Organization said on Monday, adding that it can still be controlled using existing measures.

“We have had a much higher (contamination rate) at different points in this pandemic and we’ve got it under control,” WHO’s emergencies chief Michael Ryan said during a press conference.

Ryan added, “So this situation is not in that sense out of control. But it cannot be left to its own devices,” reported AFP.

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Earlier, UK health secretary Matt Hancock had said that the new variant was “out of control” as it was 70% more transmissible than the main strain, according to British officials. 

The WHO emergencies chief said that the measures which “we have currently in place” are the correct measures. 

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“We need to do what we have been doing, we may just have to do it with a little more intensity and for a little longer to make sure we can bring this virus under control,” Ryan said, reported AFP.

After UK announced nationwide lockdown again after new COVID-19 variant was found, roughly 30 nations shut their borders to people travelling from Britain or South Africa, where another variant has emerged, to stop any further spread.

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“In some senses, it means we have to work harder,” Ryan said.

“Even if the virus has become a little bit more efficient in spreading, the virus can be stopped.”