The French Ministry of Health Thursday confirmed the first case of the COVID-19 strain that was detected in South Africa. This strain, which is believed to be the most transmissible, infected a man who returned from South Africa to Haut-Rhin near the Swiss border.

Upon his return from South Africa, he developed symptoms of COVID-19 and tested positive for the virus. After investigations, it was confirmed that he had contracted the "501.v2" mutated variant.

The French ministry said that he has recovered after he "immediately isolated himself in his home as soon as symptoms appeared."

The mutated virus was detected by South African authorities in mid December. Cases have since been found in Japan and Britain among others.

South Africa recorded more than one million COVID-19 cases and 26,000 deaths since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis.