NEW DELHI, Dec 21: A mutated strain of coronavirus is spreading fast in the UK. Of all covid cases in London during December, 60% were due to the new variant of the pathogen.

The mutation has also been reported from South Africa. However, virologists in the US have not found any signs of the new variant being responsible for the surge in infections in America, where the casualty figure has gone up tremendously from 1,000 earlier to 3,000 a day in the current month.

Most European countries like Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and Ireland as also Saudi Arabia have banned flights and visitors from the UK. France stopped flights from UK for 48 hours. Visitors and freight were also banned, a statement said on Sunday.

World's top vaccine experts like Moncef Slaoui are unable to say if the vaccines being given or developed around the world will be able to help neutralise the new spike protein of the corona variants. Many countries like the UK, US, Bahrain, Canada are administering the Pfizer vaccine for covid.

England is locked down since Sunday night. All streets are deserted. Hospitals are full. So also Scotland too has clamped restrictions. It's stay home orders in London and Essex. May be exemptions will be given on X'mas day.

The British Government has stated that the situation is getting out of control. In the last 24 hours there were 35,928 cases which is double than last week's and 326 new deaths in a day, taking the tally to 67,401 deaths. Experts are saying the new strain spreads faster by 70%.