England's Moeen Ali Infected With New UK Strain Of Virus

England's Moeen Ali Infected With New UK Strain Of Virus (Moeen Ali (Image Source: Google))

England's Moeen Ali is infected with the new UK variant of the coronavirus, Sri Lankan authorities said Wednesday, after the cricketer tested positive for Covid-19 on his arrival in the country 10 days ago.

Deputy Chief Epidemiologist Hemantha Herath told reporters in Colombo that the 33-year-old England all-rounder was Sri Lanka's first case of the UK strain, which is believed to be more transmissible.

The health ministry said extra precautions were ordered to ensure Moeen did not spread the new variant in the country - which is battling an upsurge in infections - but did not elaborate on what they were. 

A ban on flights and passengers from Britain was not applied to the England cricket team, which arrived on a chartered aircraft earlier this month to play two Test matches, the first of which will begin on Thursday.

Moeen's initial 10-day quarantine was extended on Tuesday after he experienced mild symptoms and fatigue.

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