Belgium records 1st case of new coronavirus variant in Europe

By Agnes Szucs

BRUSSELS (AA) - Belgium on Friday recorded the first case of the most recently detected coronavirus variant from southern Africa, the country's health minister announced on Friday.

Speaking at a press conference, Belgian Health Minister Frank Vandenbroucke said that an unvaccinated traveler had carried the new B.1.1.529 variant, entering the country, testing positive on Monday.

"Caution is necessary, but don't panic," he said in a public warning.

The new heavily mutated variant, which might be able to evade vaccines, was detected in South Africa.

Britain suspended flights from Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe as of Friday noon.