Norway detects first cases of coronavirus variant from Britain

Norway says it has recorded its first cases of the new, apparently more transmissible variant of the coronavirus that appeared in Britain.

Tbe Norwegian Institute of Public Health said on Sunday that the two cases were detected in travelers who had arrived from Britain earlier this month. The agency did not specify exactly when.

The identities and the location of the individuals were withheld due to privacy rules, the agency said.

Local authorities in the two municipalities were notified and have initiated contact tracing, said Line Vold from the Institute of Public Health, adding in a statement that authorities would ensure extra testing is conducted.

A dozen of countries

According to the Norwegian agency, the British virus variant has been reported in almost a dozen countries in Europe. Sweden reported its first known case of the strain on Saturday, while neighboring Denmark has recorded over 40 cases.

Norway recently introduced a ban for passenger flights from Britain effective until noon on Tuesday. The government has said the ban could be extended, if necessary.