A new strain of coronavirus, not found before in the family of coronaviruses, has been detected in two patients. One of the patients, a Qatari national, is currently receiving intensive care treatment at a hospital in London. In recent months, the same strain of coronavirus, almost identical to the one found in Qatari national, was also identified in another patient in Saudi Arabia who later died. Coronaviruses belong to large family of viruses which cause common cold and respiratory symptoms.

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Novel coronavirus infection in the United Kingdom

Weekly Epidemiological Monitor, Issue 39, coronavirus [pdf 147.07kb]