STOCKHOLM (Reuters) – The new variant of coronavirus related to a rapid rise in infections in Britain has been detected in Sweden after a UK traveler fell ill and tested positive, the Swedish Health Agency said on Saturday
The head of the Health Agency, Sara Byfors, said at a press conference that the traveler had been isolated and that so far no positive case had been detected.
The unidentified traveler was staying in Sormland, south of Stockholm, according to Signe Makitalo, a regional infection control doctor. The new variant is believed to be more transmissible than others currently circulating.
“The person who tested positive for the virus traveled to Sormland from Britain to pay a visit during Christmas,” Makitalo said, adding that the risk of further infection of the case was considered extremely limited.
Sweden imposed travel restrictions earlier this month on British passengers amid concerns over the variant. Several EU countries and around the world have taken similar measures.
Reports by Niklas Pollard; Editing by Johan Ahlander and Mike Harrison