Georgia and Iran registered their first cases of a highly contagious coronavirus variant that emerged in Britain on January 4 and 5, respectively.

“Unfortunately, we found the first case of the mutated British Covid-19 from a dear compatriot who had returned from England, ... and who was admitted to one of our private hospitals,” Iranian Health Minister Saeed Namaki told state TV, according to Reuters. “We did not find any trace of this virus in the patient’s relatives.”

Georgia, meanwhile, confirmed the first case of the new variant of Covid-19 on January 4.

"Lugar laboratory of the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health has completed a genetic analysis of the detected samples to determine the presence of a new 'British' coronavirus strain in the country. In total, the study included three suspicious cases. In two cases, the existence of this strain was not established. In the third sample taken in December, a mutation similar to the gene of the new 'British' strain was confirmed," a statement from the country's health authorities said.

According to the Health Ministry, the patient is a man over 50 and his condition is satisfactory. He is in isolation. All the persons, who were in contact with him, have been identified. The man arrived in Georgia from another country and has already returned back there. He has not visited the UK, Sputnik International reports.

In December, the UK announced that the new coronavirus strain was detected in the country, adding that the new variant can be up to 70 percent more transmissible than other SARS-CoV-2 variants. After the news, many countries suspended travel to and from the UK. There is no evidence that the new strain is more pathogenic.