New coronavirus variant found in travellers from Brazil says Japan

A new coronavirus variant was identified in four travellers from Brazil, Japan’s Health Ministry announced on Sunday.

The new variant is distinct from those first discovered in Britain and South Africa, although the three of them share some Genearm mutation, related Takaji Wakita, head of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases.

“I understand a new variant that is different from Britain’s and South Africa’s has been found,” Wakita told a health ministry briefing.

Aspects of the new variant, such as how efficient vaccines can be against it and how severe its symptoms can be, are being studied, a health ministry official said.