RIGA, Jan 7 (LETA) - Cases of the new Covid-19 variant, considered to be even more contagious and dangerous than the original virus, have been found in medics and patients at the local hospital in the central Latvian town of Ogre, the hospital's board chairman Dainis Sirovs informed LETA. 

The head of the hospital said that the new coronavirus strain causes severe symptoms and that the medics are worried. 

"We test our staff on a regular basis, which helps detect infections. We are very pleased than thanks to the vaccination opportunity our hospital's medics and other employees will be able to keep providing healthcare services to the patients," Sirovs said. 

As reported, considering reports of a a new Covid-19 strain circulating in the UK, Latvia, as well as other European countries, has banned passenger traffic with the UK from December 21 until January 1. At present, Covid-19 tests and a ten-day period of self-isolation are mandatory for all persons arriving to Latvia from the UK and South Africa under a decree issued by the government. 

Earlier, the Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) said that cases of the new Covid-19 variant have been reported also in Denmark, the Netherlands, Iceland and Australia.