More cases of new Covid variant found in Europe

Spain has confirmed four cases of the more contagious coronavirus variant recently identified in the UK - the latest European country to do so.

The infections - all in Madrid - were linked to recent UK travel, the regional deputy health chief said.

France, Denmark and the Netherlands have also reported cases in the past few days.

The details given a week ago of the new variant in England triggered travel curbs with dozens of countries.

Scientists say the new variant is considerably more transmissible than previous strains but not necessarily any more dangerous for those infected.

Madrid deputy health chief Antonio Zapatero said the confirmed cases involved three relatives of a man who flew from the UK on Thursday.

The fourth case concerned another man, who had also travelled from the UK.

Mr Zapatero said none of the patients were seriously ill and there was "no need for alarm".

He said there were three further suspected cases of the new variant, though test results will not be ready before Tuesday or Wednesday.(BBC)