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A variant of the coronavirus (COVID-19) that is believed to have originated from farmworkers in Spain has spread across Europe and now accounts for most of the new cases reported in many European countries, a study suggests.

According to research published in a pre-print and has yet to be peer-reviewed, the genetic variant accounts for about 80 percent of the virus sequenced in Spain, 60 percent in Ireland, 90 percent in the United Kingdom, and 30-40 percent in the Netherlands and Switzerland.

The study suggests Spain’s popularity as a holiday destination may be behind the spread of the new coronavirus variant.

The research, which chronicled the monitoring of an international team of scientists on the genetic mutations of the coronavirus, indicated that the genetic variant was also found in France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Norway, and Sweden.

Each coronavirus genetic variant has its own genetic signature

The spread of the variant, identified as 20A.EU1, has six distinctive genetic mutations. Each genetic variant of the virus has its own genetic signature, which means it can be traced back to the area it first emerged, according to the study.

However, scientists are looking for evidence of whether its genetic features will impact the severity of illness or make it more transmissible.

“It is currently unclear whether this variant is spreading because of a transmission advantage of the virus or whether high incidence in Spain followed by dissemination through tourists is sufficient to explain the rapid rise in multiple countries,” according to the study, which was helmed by authors from the University of Basel and the SeqCOVID-Spain consortium, stated.

Fresh lockdowns in Europe aim to curb the spread of COVID-19

European countries have imposed fresh lockdown protocols as a response to a new wave of COVID-19 cases in the region.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel announced on Wednesday that the country will enter a so-called "lockdown light" from November 2.

The measure was laid down as the country keeps its guard up to limit contact as much as possible and to stem the rapid spread of the virus.

Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed a second nationwide lockdown,  only schools and factories will remain open. The month-long lockdown started at midnight on Thursday.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Europe has recorded about 10 million cases of the coronavirus with 273,678 related deaths.

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