WHO, 코로나 변이 대처 위한 유전체 염기서열 정보공유 강조

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.
New strains discovered in Britain and South Africa appear to be more infectious ...prompting new travel restrictions around the world.
Lee Seung-jae reports.
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.
He also stressed the importance of increasing genomic sequencing capacity worldwide,... and the need to share information with his agency and other countries.
The variant has been responsible for a massive surge in COVID-19 cases in the U.K.
The country reported a record 41-thousand-385 new cases and 357 deaths on Monday alone.
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.
Finland has joined at least a dozen other nations in confirming a case of the variant out of the U.K.
However,... in addition to that,... Helsinki also reported that two people also tested positive for the second variant out of South Africa.
Finland imposed travel restrictions on passengers from Britain earlier this month.
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".
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.
Russia has extended the suspension of air traffic with the U.K. until January 12th.
The country's virus task force said the decision was made "to ensure the protection of public health."
Lee Seung-jae, Arirang News.