Text by Miduho Morita  (2020/12/26)  Translation by Miho.S      Narration by  Heba. A(2020/12/29)

●Mutations are common among viruses, and the novel coronavirus is not an exception. People infected with the new variant of coronavirus have already been found in Japan. In Japanese, this new variant is called “新型コロナウイルスの変異種 (しんがたコロナウイルスのへんいしゅ・Shingata-korona-uirusu no hen-i-shu)” or “変異ウイルス (へんいウイルス・Hen-i Uirusu).”

●The new variant of the novel coronavirus is already found in more than ten countries and regions, including some European nations such as the UK and Denmark. Cases were also found in South Africa, Nigeria, Australia, and Hong Kong.

●Many people all over the world are concerned about the new variant of the novel coronavirus being more contagious. However, until now there is no evidence of how deadly it is.

●In Japan, people infected with this new variant were found at Haneda Airport and Kansai International Airport. Other than at airports, a pilot and his family were also tested positive for this new variant, these are people who have returned from the UK and their families.

●The number of people infected by this new variant now is small, however, it may increase in the future.

Source:

毎日新聞

「変異ウイルス　フランスやレバノンでも確認　10カ国超、世界各地で警戒」2020.12.26

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/f2cd7a428494ad2109d8cb47128f8ce0511ad754

日テレNEWS24

「感染力高い“変異種”　空港検疫以外で初」2020.12.26

https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/355fcbe5963d08bc4e5237bf2be70468627d7fac

Reuter: Japan bans new entries of foreigners after virus variant arrives  2020.12.26

https://jp.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-japan/japan-bans-new-entries-of-foreigners-after-virus-variant-arrives-idUSKBN290050

NHK World:  Japan confirms 2 new coronavirus variant cases  2020.12.26

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20201226_19/