The French Ministry of Health Friday announced the registration of the first case of the new strain of coronavirus. 

The infected French man returned from the United Kingdom on Dec. 19 and tested positive for COVID-19 two days later. He has been self-isolating at home and did not suffer from any coronavirus symptoms.

After investigation, the National Reference Center (CNR) for Respiratory Viruses confirmed that he had contracted the new strain.

The ministry said the health authorities have traced all those who came into contact with the patient.

Health authorities are currently working on determining whether a number of other patients have contracted the mutated virus or not.