Japan finds new mutation of Covid’s Delta variant

Meanwhile, a man disinfects a classroom at the Motolinia Elementary School as in-person learning returns after being halted amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico City on Tuesday. Pic/AFP

A group of Japanese researchers said a new mutation of the Covid-19 Delta variant had been discovered for the first time in the country, local media reported on Tuesday.

The research team, led by Associate Professor Hiroaki Takeuchi at Tokyo Medical and Dental University Hospital, said that the mutation was found when a patient infected with the Delta variant visited the institute earlier this month, reports Xinhua news agency.

Genetic analysis revealed the N501S mutation, the team said, adding that only eight cases of the mutation have been reported outside Japan.

The N501S mutation is similar to the N501Y variation of the Alpha variant, which was first detected in the UK.

The team said its impact on the virus's transmissibility is unclear so far, and researchers plan to study further. Takeuchi said full efforts ought to be made to curb the Covid-19 infections, as the further spread of the virus could lead to the continued emergence of new variants in Japan.

EU removes US from safe travel list

The Council of the European Union (EU) has recommended that member states of the bloc reintroduce restrictions on travellers from the US due to a Covid-19 resurgence. The decision, which the Council announced through a statement on Monday, reversed a decision taken in June when the bloc put the US on the safe travel list just in time for the summer holidays, reports Xinhua news agency.

Myanmar extends suspension of int'l flights

Myanmar's Ministry of Transport and Communications had announced the extension of the suspension of international commercial flights until the end of September. The extension was made to continue preventing the importation of Covid-19 to the country through air travel, reports Xinhua news agency. According to the Ministry of Health, Myanmar reported 3,583 new Covid-19 cases in the past 24 hours, bringing the tally in the country to 395,883.

5,21,035
No. of new cases reported globally in the past 24 hours

21,73,59,271
Total no. of cases worldwide

45,14,514
Total no. of deaths worldwide

Source: WHO/Johns Hopkins

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