The deadly variant of the Corona is spreading rapidly in the US

1,86,600 new cases of corona, 3,654 of today's corona deaths

Angela Merkel reverses lockdown in Germany Pfizer vaccine banned in Hong Kong due to lid defect

LONDON: The first-ever variant of the coronavirus B1.1.7, which appeared in the UK and spread more rapidly and is even more deadly, has now spread to 50 states in the USA. President Joe Biden's Corona adviser Dr. Anthony Fochi said the variant, which first appeared in Colorado in December, is spreading rapidly.

Currently 20 to 30 percent of patients are infected with this variant and their number is increasing. Fochi cited a study that found that a patient infected with this corona variant had a 64 percent increased risk of death.

In Hong Kong, meanwhile, vaccinations were suspended because the lids of Pfizer's Corona vaccine bottles appeared to be defective. The matter is being investigated by Fosun Pharma, a Chinese distributor of the vaccine, and the German company Bioentech. It was decided not to use this batch and another batch 210104 as the lids of the vaccine batch number 210102 were found to be defective.

There were a total of 5,85,000 doses of the vaccine in this batch out of which 1.5 lakh doses have been given. Constance Tea, Hong Kong's health director, said the package was defective but the vaccine was safe. Only 40 bottle caps were found to be defective. The vaccines have been discarded.

In Germany, Chancellor Angela Merkel reversed a five-day lockdown and pleaded guilty. He told a hastily convened press conference that there was insufficient time to impose this lockdown and it was not possible to implement it.

The total number of cases reported in the world today was 124,985,564 with 1,86,600 new cases of corona. The death toll rose to 27,49,170 from 3,654 today.

A total of 5,881 new cases were reported in Mexico today and 809 people died. In France, meanwhile, Culture Minister Roselyn Bachelot was hospitalized with a corona infection. Roselin, 74, was given the first dose of the corona vaccine on March 17.