There is always a dilemma for the authorities about when or how to release new information about things like possible viral dangers. Ignoring the political concerns , they need to know what the risks are, and will those risks actually apply to their area of responsibility, it would be counterproductive to make a big fuss over something that will not actually affect us.
But its complicated, becasue in the case of a new varient virus until there has been some level of infection in a population, you can't actually determine the risks it poses. And not all populations are the same. DIfferent populations may have different habits or conditions which might affect the way a virus will transmit and infect. So a virus that needs warm conditions might pose no risk in areas further away from the equator, and there are many other factors that might affect transmissibility, or the seriousness of its effect.