The new mutant strain of COVID-19 that has forced the United Kingdom to go into lockdown was detected in Australia in late November, according to the New South Wales (NSW) health officials. NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant explained that two Australians returning home from the UK tested positive to mutated variant of the virus. “We’ve had a couple of UK returned travellers with the particular mutations you’re referring to,” Dr Chant said. The Daily Mail reported on Dec. 22 that the virus was first detected in Australia in a traveller from the United Kingdom in late November, and the second on Dec. 7. Both returnees were placed into a special health accommodation kept in hospital until no longer infectious. Chant was also clear that the current strain from an outbreak in Avalon, on Sydney’s northern beaches does not have the UK mutations. New Strain May Effect Vaccine Efficacy Newly appointed …