JERUSALEM

Coronavirus variant first found in the UK has been detected in Palestine, the Palestinian Health Ministry announced on Tuesday.

The UK variant, known as B.1.1.7, was found in 139 people in the occupied West Bank, the official WAFA news agency quoted General Director of Supportive Medical Services at the ministry, Usame en-Neccar, as saying.

Underlining that the new strain can infect also children, Neccar renewed calls for adherence to health protocols issued by the Health Ministry to help stem the virus.

The ministry announced on Feb.4 that Palestine had received 10,000 doses of Russia’s Sputnik V vaccine.

A new batch of coronavirus vaccine will arrive in Palestine in the coming days, the ministry said without specifying a date.

The number of coronavirus cases in the West Bank and Gaza Strip totaled 190,316, including 2,133 deaths, according to the latest data by the Ministry of Health.

*Writing by Zehra Nur Duz