17 cases of mutated COVID-19 variant detected in Palestine

Palestine

Published: 2021-01-21 19:00

Last Updated: 2024-03-18 02:41


17 cases of mutated COVID-19 variant detected in Palestine
17 cases of mutated COVID-19 variant detected in Palestine

The Palestinian Minister of Health Mai Al-Kaila Thursday confirmed that 17 new cases of the mutated COVID-19 variant, that was discovered in Britain, were detected in areas close to Jerusalem City (Beit Surik, Bir Nabala, Al-Judeira, Beit Hanina, Al-Ram and Shuafat).

The ministry's COVID-19 investigation teams will follow up with patients and trace all possible contacts, added Kaila. She pointed out that the new strain spreads faster and affects a wider age range.

Also read: Palestine confirms seven deaths and 574 new coronavirus cases

The ministry and the Arab American University carried out genetic tests to detect the new mutation. A professor at AAU Nawar al-Qutob explained that the impact of this mutated variant is yet to be determined but it must be studied and tracked in Palestine.

The director general of Supportive Medical Services at the ministry Osama al-Najjar said the rate at which COVID-19 is spreading in Palestinian territories is still high. He stressed the need to abide by health and safety measures.

Also read: British COVID-19 mutation reaches at least 60 countries