UK, Brazilian and South-African coronavirus variants in France: how many cases detected so far?

As vaccine campaigns have been launched around the world, making people see hope and the end of the crisis, the discovery and spread of coronavirus variants is weighing things down. Among those found, the South-African strain is said not to react to vaccines currently used, as the UK variant is said to be 70% more transmissible than the virus the world has been dealing with so far and could even dominate in France by March, several specialists say.

Therefore, to curb its spread, a first nationwide inquiry has been led to draw up a map showing the spread of the virus first and to precise the number of proven cases. On January 10, epidemiologist and Scientific Committee member Arnaud Fontanet spoke Journal du Dimanche and BFMTV about the method used by health authorities. It is about analyzing samples from positive tests conducted recently again using Thermo Fisher PCR test enabling to find the Covid variant by sending a faulty signal. The investigation will then be reinforced.

During the January 28, 2021’s epidemiologic report, Santé Publique France reports 299 UK variant cases, namely 168 more than the week before, and 40 South-African variant cases (+10) in France – according to data reported on January 27, 2021. This Thursday Februayr 4, 2021, Health Minister Olivier Véran says that 4 Brazilian variant cases have been reported in France including in Var and Reunion.

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This Sunday January 24, 2021 head of the Scientific Committee, Jean-François Delfraissy, told BFMTV that the South-African variant has entered France "around 1%" and warns against the highest presence of the UK variant in the Paris area said to be around 7 and 9%. "If we continue, there will be 12%, 14%, 15% UK variant in the coming weeks", he warned.

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