India Detects 14 More Cases Of New COVID-19 Strain, Ban On UK Flights Extended Till January 7

India extended the ban on UK flights on Wednesday to January 7, after 14 new cases of the UK strain of COVID-19 were detected in the country, in a span of 24 hours. This takes the tally of total cases of COVID-19 from new strain to 20. Aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri tweeted that, "Decision has been taken to extend the temporary suspension of flights to and from the UK till 7 January 2021," following which a strictly regulated resumption of flights will take place.

Decision has been taken to extend the temporary suspension of flights to & from the UK till 7 January 2021.

Thereafter strictly regulated resumption will take place for which details will be announced shortly.

— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) December 30, 2020

Also Read: The World Reports Emergence Of A New COVID-19 Strain: How Countries Are Gearing Up

According to a previous order issued on December 21, a ban on UK flights was imposed till December 31. Close to thirty-three thousand passengers who arrived in India from the UK between November 25 and December 23 are being traced by the government, reports NDTV.

As per the Health Ministry of India, 20 passengers returning from the UK have tested positive for the new strain of COVID-19 so far.

The first cases of new strain were reported in the country on Tuesday with six passengers from the UK testing positive. While the current tally stands at 20, the number of infected patients is likely to increase.

The new COVID-19 strain

The new strain of COVID-19 was detected first in September this year, in the UK. By November, it was responsible for around a quarter of the cases of COVID-19 in London. The fraction jumped to two-thirds of all cases in London by mid December. After the news of new coronavirus strain emerged, several European nations imposed air travel ban on the UK, including India. UK Authorities have gone ahead to say that the new coronavirus variant is “out of control” and is spreading rapidly. The new strain is reportedly 70 percent more transmittable. However, there is no evidence as of yet to suggest that the new strain causes a higher mortality rate or that it affects vaccines and treatments. Read more about it here.

Image Credit: PTI