Covid-19

South Africa Detects New COVID 19 Variant

South Africa Detects New COVID 19 Variant

  • Scientists in South Africa announced that a new COVID 19 variant has been discovered in the country
  • The variant with lineage number B.1.1.529 is believed to have a high number of mutations
  • Health Minister Joe Phaahla has attributed the exponential increase in cases to the emergence of the virus

Scientists in South Africa on Thursday disclosed that they have discovered a new variant of COVID 19 with high mutations.

COVID 19

The variant with lineage number B.1.1.529 has been attributed to the exponential increase in recent COVID 19.

Virologist Tulio de Oliveira confirmed the situation while speaking at a news conference:

“Unfortunately we have detected a new variant which is a reason for concern in South Africa,”

Health Minister Joe Phaahla labeled the variant “a serious concern” and claimed that it was the reason behind the sharp rise in reported cases.

The same variant has also reportedly been discovered in Botswana and Hong Kong among travelers coming in from South Africa.

Read also: Germany’s COVID Death Toll Passes 100,000

On Wednesday, more than 1,200 daily cases were reported, a 12 times increase from around 100 cases earlier this month.

South Africa has the highest number of COVID cases in Africa- 2.95 million and 89,657 fatalities have been reported as well.

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