WHO, 코로나 변이 대처 위한 유전체 염기서열 정보공유 강조<br /><br />The WHO says it's important to step up genome sequencing worldwide in order to ensure that the new variants of COVID-19 are detected.<br />New strains discovered in Britain and South Africa appear to be more infectious ...prompting new travel restrictions around the world.<br />Lee Seung-jae reports.<br />Speaking at an online news conference in Geneva on Monday,... WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus cited the new variants of COVID-19 discovered in the U.K. and South Africa,... and called on scientists to “better understand any and all changes to the virus” and their impact.<br />He also stressed the importance of increasing genomic sequencing capacity worldwide,... and the need to share information with his agency and other countries.<br />The variant has been responsible for a massive surge in COVID-19 cases in the U.K.<br />The country reported a record 41-thousand-385 new cases and 357 deaths on Monday alone.<br />Britain's National Health Service says the number of people currently being treated at hospitals has surpassed 20-thousand,... higher than the previous peak of 19-thousand in April.<br />Finland has joined at least a dozen other nations in confirming a case of the variant out of the U.K.<br />However,... in addition to that,... Helsinki also reported that two people also tested positive for the second variant out of South Africa.<br />Finland imposed travel restrictions on passengers from Britain earlier this month.<br />While the U.S. has yet to report any cases of the new variants,... U.S. health officials say it must be taken "very seriously".<br />This includes Washington's top infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci who endorsed the decision of U.S. officials to require negative COVID-19 tests before letting people from Britain enter the U.S.<br />Russia has extended the suspension of air traffic with the U.K. until January 12th.<br />The country's virus task force said the decision was made "to ensure the protection of public health."<br />Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.<br />
