(Yicai Global) Jan. 5 -- A unit of China's BGI Genomics has developed a testing kit that can detect the new variant of Covid-19, first found in the UK, as fast as within an hour.

Yinyuan Pharmaceutical Technology has come up with the diagnostic product, it said on its WeChat account today.

On Dec. 14, the UK reported to the World Health Organization that it has discovered a new variant of the virus with 23 mutations. Based on early research, the new version of the coronavirus is more transmissible, according to the WHO's statement on its website on Dec. 21.

Travelers entering China's mainland and Hong Kong have been reported to carry the new variant, called SARS-CoV-2 VUI 202012/01.

Shenzhen-based BGI Genomics's [SHE: 300676] stock price was 0.1 percent down at CNY126.51 (USD19.70) at 11.19 a.m.

Editor: Emmi Laine