Brazil official says coronavirus outbreak in Manaus not tied to new variant

BRASILIA, Jan 18 (Reuters) - Brazil's health minister Eduardo Pazuello said on Monday that a spiking COVID-19 outbreak in the Amazonian city of Manaus was not tied to a new variant of the virus, and was instead the same coronavirus that caused the first wave of the disease.

Manaus has made headlines in recent days for its high death rate and a shortage of oxygen tanks for patients who develop severe cases of COVID-19. (Reporting by Ricardo Brito Editing by Bill Berkrot)