coronavirus variant is likely to be the "dominant global strain" as a fifth place outside the UK confirmed a case. SAGE (Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies) revealed the new variant has spread to British Overseas Territory Gibraltar while there have also been confirmed positive tests in Italy, Denmark, the Netherlands and Australia.The UK government believes the new variant could be up to 70% more contagious than the original Covid-19 strain.
Its rapid spread has led to a new Tier 4 lockdown being imposed on London and the south east of England, cancelling Christmas for around 20 million people.