France detects new variant of COVID

A new variant of the coronavirus has been detected in the Brittany region in northwestern France, according to the Healthcare Ministry, Report informs, referring to RIA Novosti.

People who contracted the new variant "had symptoms typical of SARS-CoV-2," but PCR tests were negative.

"The new variant was identified at the Lannion hospital in the Côtes-d'Armor department. 79 cases were identified on March 13, including 8 cases of infection with the new variant, which was confirmed by sequencing," reads the statement on the website of the French ministry.

The French authorities have already transferred information about the new variant to the international health authorities.

In total, more than four million cases of COVID have been identified in France, slightly less than 90,800 people have died.