Eleventh of the 23 samples from Moldova sent to the Charite Institute of Virology in Berlin for monitoring the circulation of the SARS-CoV-2 strains by molecular biology and sequencing methods confirmed the presence of the British variant B.1.1.7, IPN reports.

Of the samples confirmed with the British strain, seven were taken from persons suspected of having COVID-19 who returned from the UK, two from persons who returned from Ukraine and two from patients with serious forms of COVID-19 from intensive care units.

The virology laboratory of the National Public Health Agency continues to select biological samples for monitoring the circulation of the SARS CoV-2 strains.

The Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection said the fact that the new strain was detected will not lead to the modification of the treatment protocols. It called on the population to obey all the measures adopted by the health authorities and to protect themselves and the close ones by wearing masks, keeping a distance of at least one meter, avoiding crowded places, washing and disinfecting the hands as often as possible and staying at home.