New Covid strain: UK's spiralling figures could lead to longer lockdown, expert says


Daniel Bardsley
  • English
  • Arabic

The rise of a new and more easily spread strain of Covid-19 in the UK could lead to tight lockdown measures being imposed for longer and extended across the country, a leading expert said.

The emergence of the new variant in London and south-east England is being linked to a surge in case numbers.

The British government said the mutation is up to 70 per cent more transmissible and could increase the reproduction number (R) – the number of people one infected person will typically pass the virus on to – by 0.4.

Dr Andrew Freedman, an infectious diseases specialist at Cardiff University in the UK, said the new strain may mean that strict measures to prevent viral spread have to be in place “a lot longer” and are likely to be imposed more widely across the UK as the new variant takes hold.

The mutation was likely to spread “quite widely” to new areas and he said it was already thought to be behind increases in cases in South Wales, for example.

Tight restrictions remain key to combating virus

“There’s a good chance the numbers will be brought down in the next few weeks, but quite how long it goes on and whether the R rate will be brought down to below one, that may take a while,” he said.

“Theoretically, by doing these measures, if you stop people meeting, however infectious the virus is, you will bring down the numbers.”

He said tier four and other tougher restrictions would hopefully not be needed until vaccine administration in the UK was widespread.

Officials said it was unlikely the new variant would be resistant to the vaccines that have recently been approved for use.

London recorded a dramatic increase in cases, figures from the Mayor of London's office show, with the new strain thought to be driving the increase.

New strain sparks surge in infections

In London, there were 41,936 positive cases between December 9 and 15, the most recent full week for which figures were announced, which translates to 468 positive cases per 100,000 people.

In the week immediately preceding this, there were 20,212 positive cases in the capital, or 226 per 100,000, which is less than half the figure for a week later.

  • A family poses for a picture at The Land of Light show at Longleat House in Warminster, Wiltshire. Reuters
    A family poses for a picture at The Land of Light show at Longleat House in Warminster, Wiltshire. Reuters
  • Shoppers are seen on Regent street in London. Reuters
    Shoppers are seen on Regent street in London. Reuters
  • The Houses of Parliament can be seen as people walk along the South Bank in London. Reuters
    The Houses of Parliament can be seen as people walk along the South Bank in London. Reuters
  • A man dressed as Santa Claus walks among shoppers on Regent street in London. Reuters
    A man dressed as Santa Claus walks among shoppers on Regent street in London. Reuters
  • People watch a drive-in performance from their cars in Chelmsford. Reuters
    People watch a drive-in performance from their cars in Chelmsford. Reuters
  • Christmas lights twinkle as shoppers make their way down the stairs to the Piccadilly underground station in London. AFP
    Christmas lights twinkle as shoppers make their way down the stairs to the Piccadilly underground station in London. AFP
  • Shoppers walk down Oxford Street in London. Reuters
    Shoppers walk down Oxford Street in London. Reuters
  • Arsenal fans socially distance in the stands during an English Premier League match between Arsenal and Burnley in London. AP Photo
    Arsenal fans socially distance in the stands during an English Premier League match between Arsenal and Burnley in London. AP Photo

With London, some other parts of south-east and east England hit by the new form of coronavirus face strict tier four restrictions, and across these regions increases of a similar magnitude were recorded.

Across the UK, case numbers are increasing rapidly, official figures show. Between December 17 and 20, an average of 29,025 new cases were recorded a day, compared with an average of 19,665 a day between December 13 and 16.

The variant has been found in England, Scotland and Wales but is rarer outside London and south-east England.

Its higher transmissibility may not be the only factor behind case number increases, but it is thought to be having a significant effect in the tier four areas, not least because in these places, the new strain is now dominant.

According to UK government figures, in the week beginning November 18 it accounted for 28 per cent of new cases in London, but three weeks later (the week commencing December 9), the figure was 62 per cent.

It has yet to be confirmed that the new variant is more infectious, although laboratory tests are under way to investigate this. Case numbers can rise simply because restrictions are not strict enough, and the prevalence of variants is subject to fluctuation.

  • A patient is transported outside of Tisch Hospital in New York, US. AFP
    A patient is transported outside of Tisch Hospital in New York, US. AFP
  • Workers build up a outdoor area outside a restaurant in New York, US. AFP
    Workers build up a outdoor area outside a restaurant in New York, US. AFP
  • House members participate in a ceremonial swearing-in ceremony at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City, US. AP
    House members participate in a ceremonial swearing-in ceremony at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City, US. AP
  • Passengers ride a bus along 1st Avenue in Manhattan, New York, US. Reuters
    Passengers ride a bus along 1st Avenue in Manhattan, New York, US. Reuters
  • Luiza Erundina, 85, a candidate for vice-mayor, holds her hand to a man's from inside the "cata voto" (Vote Catcher), a car with a plastic booth, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Reuters
    Luiza Erundina, 85, a candidate for vice-mayor, holds her hand to a man's from inside the "cata voto" (Vote Catcher), a car with a plastic booth, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Reuters
  • A healthcare worker administers a nasal swab in El Paso, US. AFP
    A healthcare worker administers a nasal swab in El Paso, US. AFP
  • People walk past a cafe in Melbourne, Australia. Reuters
    People walk past a cafe in Melbourne, Australia. Reuters
  • A woman sanitises the entrance of the Casa San Bernardo hotel, in Rome, Italy. AP
    A woman sanitises the entrance of the Casa San Bernardo hotel, in Rome, Italy. AP
  • A doctor teaches on a mannequin how to treat a coronavirus patient during a training session for nurses at the Nouvel Hopital Civil of Strasbourg, eastern Franc. AP
    A doctor teaches on a mannequin how to treat a coronavirus patient during a training session for nurses at the Nouvel Hopital Civil of Strasbourg, eastern Franc. AP
  • A cyclist rides past a billboard in Hull, UK. Getty
    A cyclist rides past a billboard in Hull, UK. Getty

Virus mutation found across the globe

The new strain, thought to have first appeared in September, has also been found in the Netherlands, Denmark and Australia.

Australia’s chief medical officer, Prof Paul Kelly, said “there is no definite evidence” it represented a significant change in terms of transmissibility.

Dr Freedman said, however, that there was “good circumstantial evidence” that the rise in the number of cases in parts of the UK and the emergence of the mutation were linked.

There are 23 genetic changes associated with the new strain, the most important of which affect the virus’s spike protein, the structure that it uses to enter human cells, where it reproduces.

Because of the spike protein change, it is thought to be able to reproduce faster, meaning infected individuals have more virus particles in their system – a higher viral load – and so may be more likely to pass on the pathogen.

“It does seem to latch on more efficiently and that does seem to correlate with a higher viral load,” Dr Freedman said.

The new variant may be present in other countries other than those where it has already been identified: the UK has carried out more coronavirus sequencing than any other country, so is better able to detect new forms of the virus.

“In Europe, the UK and Denmark are the most prolific sequencers. So the variant could be elsewhere and not detected yet,” Dr Emma Hodcroft, a researcher at the University of Basel, Switzerland, wrote on Twitter.

While there have been many variants of the coronavirus, in South Africa one with the same key mutation became the dominant form, accounting for up to 90 per cent of cases.

The South African and UK variants are thought to have arisen independently.

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

 

 

GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

RIDE%20ON
%3Cp%3EDirector%3A%20Larry%20Yang%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EStars%3A%20Jackie%20Chan%2C%20Liu%20Haocun%2C%20Kevin%20Guo%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ERating%3A%202%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
SPECS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%206-cylinder%203-litre%2C%20with%20petrol%20and%20diesel%20variants%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E8-speed%20automatic%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20286hp%20(petrol)%2C%20249hp%20(diesel)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E450Nm%20(petrol)%2C%20550Nm%20(diesel)%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EStarting%20at%20%2469%2C800%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
BRAZIL SQUAD

Alisson (Liverpool), Daniel Fuzato (Roma), Ederson (Man City); Alex Sandro (Juventus), Danilo (Juventus), Eder Militao (Real Madrid), Emerson (Real Betis), Felipe (Atletico Madrid), Marquinhos (PSG), Renan Lodi (Atletico Madrid), Thiago Silva (PSG); Arthur (Barcelona), Casemiro (Real Madrid), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Fabinho (Liverpool), Lucas Paqueta (AC Milan), Philippe Coutinho (Bayern Munich); David Neres (Ajax), Gabriel Jesus (Man City), Richarlison (Everton), Roberto Firmino (Liverpool), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Willian (Chelsea).

THE BIO

Family: I have three siblings, one older brother (age 25) and two younger sisters, 20 and 13 

Favourite book: Asking for my favourite book has to be one of the hardest questions. However a current favourite would be Sidewalk by Mitchell Duneier

Favourite place to travel to: Any walkable city. I also love nature and wildlife 

What do you love eating or cooking: I’m constantly in the kitchen. Ever since I changed the way I eat I enjoy choosing and creating what goes into my body. However, nothing can top home cooked food from my parents. 

Favorite place to go in the UAE: A quiet beach.

Gully Boy

Director: Zoya Akhtar
Producer: Excel Entertainment & Tiger Baby
Cast: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt, Kalki Koechlin, Siddhant Chaturvedi​​​​​​​
Rating: 4/5 stars

The National in Davos

We are bringing you the inside story from the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, a gathering of hundreds of world leaders, top executives and billionaires.

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

T10 Cricket League
Sharjah Cricket Stadium
December 14- 17
6pm, Opening ceremony, followed by:
Bengal Tigers v Kerala Kings 
Maratha Arabians v Pakhtoons
Tickets available online at q-tickets.com/t10

BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP

Group A

Paraguay
Japan
Switzerland
USA

Group B

Uruguay
Mexico
Italy
Tahiti

Group C

Belarus
UAE
Senegal
Russia

Group D

Brazil
Oman
Portugal
Nigeria

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

WHY%20AAYAN%20IS%20'PERFECT%20EXAMPLE'
%3Cp%3EDavid%20White%20might%20be%20new%20to%20the%20country%2C%20but%20he%20has%20clearly%20already%20built%20up%20an%20affinity%20with%20the%20place.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EAfter%20the%20UAE%20shocked%20Pakistan%20in%20the%20semi-final%20of%20the%20Under%2019%20Asia%20Cup%20last%20month%2C%20White%20was%20hugged%20on%20the%20field%20by%20Aayan%20Khan%2C%20the%20team%E2%80%99s%20captain.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3EWhite%20suggests%20that%20was%20more%20a%20sign%20of%20Aayan%E2%80%99s%20amiability%20than%20anything%20else.%20But%20he%20believes%20the%20young%20all-rounder%2C%20who%20was%20part%20of%20the%20winning%20Gulf%20Giants%20team%20last%20year%2C%20is%20just%20the%20sort%20of%20player%20the%20country%20should%20be%20seeking%20to%20produce%20via%20the%20ILT20.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%9CHe%20is%20a%20delightful%20young%20man%2C%E2%80%9D%20White%20said.%20%E2%80%9CHe%20played%20in%20the%20competition%20last%20year%20at%2017%2C%20and%20look%20at%20his%20development%20from%20there%20till%20now%2C%20and%20where%20he%20is%20representing%20the%20UAE.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%9CHe%20was%20influential%20in%20the%20U19%20team%20which%20beat%20Pakistan.%20He%20is%20the%20perfect%20example%20of%20what%20we%20are%20all%20trying%20to%20achieve%20here.%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%E2%80%9CIt%20is%20about%20the%20development%20of%20players%20who%20are%20going%20to%20represent%20the%20UAE%20and%20go%20on%20to%20help%20make%20UAE%20a%20force%20in%20world%20cricket.%E2%80%9D%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Where to donate in the UAE

The Emirates Charity Portal

You can donate to several registered charities through a “donation catalogue”. The use of the donation is quite specific, such as buying a fan for a poor family in Niger for Dh130.

The General Authority of Islamic Affairs & Endowments

The site has an e-donation service accepting debit card, credit card or e-Dirham, an electronic payment tool developed by the Ministry of Finance and First Abu Dhabi Bank.

Al Noor Special Needs Centre

You can donate online or order Smiles n’ Stuff products handcrafted by Al Noor students. The centre publishes a wish list of extras needed, starting at Dh500.

Beit Al Khair Society

Beit Al Khair Society has the motto “From – and to – the UAE,” with donations going towards the neediest in the country. Its website has a list of physical donation sites, but people can also contribute money by SMS, bank transfer and through the hotline 800-22554.

Dar Al Ber Society

Dar Al Ber Society, which has charity projects in 39 countries, accept cash payments, money transfers or SMS donations. Its donation hotline is 800-79.

Dubai Cares

Dubai Cares provides several options for individuals and companies to donate, including online, through banks, at retail outlets, via phone and by purchasing Dubai Cares branded merchandise. It is currently running a campaign called Bookings 2030, which allows people to help change the future of six underprivileged children and young people.

Emirates Airline Foundation

Those who travel on Emirates have undoubtedly seen the little donation envelopes in the seat pockets. But the foundation also accepts donations online and in the form of Skywards Miles. Donated miles are used to sponsor travel for doctors, surgeons, engineers and other professionals volunteering on humanitarian missions around the world.

Emirates Red Crescent

On the Emirates Red Crescent website you can choose between 35 different purposes for your donation, such as providing food for fasters, supporting debtors and contributing to a refugee women fund. It also has a list of bank accounts for each donation type.

Gulf for Good

Gulf for Good raises funds for partner charity projects through challenges, like climbing Kilimanjaro and cycling through Thailand. This year’s projects are in partnership with Street Child Nepal, Larchfield Kids, the Foundation for African Empowerment and SOS Children's Villages. Since 2001, the organisation has raised more than $3.5 million (Dh12.8m) in support of over 50 children’s charities.

Noor Dubai Foundation

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum launched the Noor Dubai Foundation a decade ago with the aim of eliminating all forms of preventable blindness globally. You can donate Dh50 to support mobile eye camps by texting the word “Noor” to 4565 (Etisalat) or 4849 (du).

Visa changes give families fresh hope

Foreign workers can sponsor family members based solely on their income

Male residents employed in the UAE can sponsor immediate family members, such as wife and children, subject to conditions that include a minimum salary of Dh 4,000 or Dh 3,000 plus accommodation.

Attested original marriage certificate, birth certificate of the child, ejari or rental contract, labour contract, salary certificate must be submitted to the government authorised typing centre to complete the sponsorship process

In Abu Dhabi, a woman can sponsor her husband and children if she holds a residence permit stating she is an engineer, teacher, doctor, nurse or any profession related to the medical sector and her monthly salary is at least Dh 10,000 or Dh 8,000 plus accommodation.

In Dubai, if a woman is not employed in the above categories she can get approval to sponsor her family if her monthly salary is more than Dh 10,000 and with a special permission from the Department of Naturalization and Residency Dubai.

To sponsor parents, a worker should earn Dh20,000 or Dh19,000 a month, plus a two-bedroom accommodation