Coronavirus update: Japan finds 91 cases of a new variant, infections in India jump fourth day in last five

As the world grapples with fresh coronavirus (COVID-19) variants initially founded in the UK, Brazil and South Africa, Japanese health authorities came out with more disappointment suggesting a new strain of the deadly virus.

Japan’s Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobo Kato conveyed the details, per Reuters, while saying, “The mutant variant, known as E484K, has been found in 91 cases in the Kanto area of eastern Japan and 2 cases at airports.”

The news also suggests that the news virus variant seems to arrive from overseas and is different from the previous versions found in Britain, Brazil and South Africa.

It should also be noted that Japan has nearly 150 cases of these variants while the fresh strain infected around 91 people in the short-term and pose a serious challenge to the Asian economy where the vaccinations have just begun.

Elsewhere, India is also struggling with the covid as a fresh wave of infection defies the government claims of victory over the virus. “India's active coronavirus caseload rose for the fourth time in five days,” said Bloomberg. Details suggest 12,881 new cases and 101 deaths as of 8 am on Feb. 18.

S&P 500 Futures stretch the south-run…

Against this backdrop, S&P 500 Futures refresh intraday low while extending its four-day declines below 3,900, down 0.40% on a day.

Read: USD/JPY consolidates losses below 106.00, ignores downbeat S&P 500 Futures