[Jiggly]

I have been told by a friend living in London they have discovered a new strange virus there

You're almost right. What they actually found, is a new strain of the existing virus (this is very common, even the flu or colds mutate like this). This new strain isn't any more lethal or dangerous, but what it does do, is spread more quickly and easily. It's a more infectious strain, but not more lethal, if that makes sense?

We (the UK) are currently working hard to contain the new strain.