New Covid strain on radar

Auckland: Public health experts are closely watching the arrival of a new highly contagious strain of Covid19 in New Zealand’s managed isolation and quarantine facilities.

So far, six cases of the recently identified UK variant — which is up to 70% more infectious than previous strains — have been reported in MIQ facilities.

The new variant, known as B117, has a higher reproduction — or R — number, leading to an increased rate of transmission.

University of Auckland epidemiologist Rod Jackson said while other strains usually infected two to three others, the new type meant one person could infect three or four others.

Six new cases of Covid19 were reported yesterday, all in managed isolation and quarantine facilities.