Delta variant with new mutation found in Sweden

A new strain of the COVID-19 Delta variant has been found in Sweden, with some cases being among fully vaccinated individuals, reported Xinhua, quoting local media on Wednesday.

Eight infections caused by the Delta variant with the E484Q mutation have been found in Uppsala, some 70 kilometers north of Stockholm, Swedish Television reported.

Although little is known about the new strain, studies indicate that it may be more transmissible. All the new cases are reported to be linked to travel abroad.

"We take all variants against which vaccines may not have the same protection seriously," Mats Martinell, medical manager at the sampling unit of Uppsala Region, told Swedish Television.

Since Uppsala is a university city and the new term has just started, Martinell urged the public to be vigilant.

"We are in a stage where there can be large outbreaks connected to super-spreading events such as parties, and one has to be careful," he told Swedish Television.

More than 1.11 million COVID-19 cases have been recorded in Sweden, according to the latest official statistics.

As of Wednesday, 80.5 percent of the adult population have received at least one vaccine dose, while 61.1 percent have had both doses.