Scientists are investigating how a infected Air New Zealand crew member contracted a little-known variant unrelated to that in Auckland's Valentine's Day Covid-19 cluster. However, they say there's no great cause for concern over the lineage B.1.1.317, which has been called the "Russian variant" despite being more prevalent in Germany. "Unlike other variants, including those first identified in the UK and South Africa, this variant is not currently classified as a variant of concern," the Ministry of Health said. Since being first observed in March last year, scientists had sequenced 1000 genomes of the variant around the world. "We're becoming very xenophobic — I saw one headline or article from Russia — they're not worried about the Russian strain, they're worried about the UK strain," he said.

Source: New Zealand Herald March 09, 2021 03:11 UTC