Authorities around the world have reacted with alarm to a new coronavirus variant detected in South Africa.
Healthcare workers assist patients being treated at a makeshift hospital run by charity organisation The Gift of the Givers, during the coronavirus disease outbreak in Johannesburg, South Africa, July 11, 2021. REUTERS/ Sumaya Hishamto a new coronavirus variant detected in South Africa.
The country has identified about 100 cases of the variant, mostly from its most populated province, Gauteng, where Johannesburg and Pretoria are located.All viruses - including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19 - change over time. Most changes have little or no impact on their properties. South African scientists say some of the mutations are associated with resistance to neutralising antibodies and enhanced transmissibility, but others were not well understood, so its full significance is not yet clear.
No unusual symptoms have been reported following infection with the B.1.1.529 variant and, as with other variants, some individuals are asymptomatic, South Africa's National Institute for Communicable Diseases said.South African scientists say early signs from diagnostic laboratories suggest it has spread rapidly in Gauteng and may already be present in the country's other eight provinces.
Scientists say early detection due to genomic surveillance in Botswana and South Africa may have limited the spread of the variant.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Explainer: What we know about the COVID-19 variant detected in South AfricaGlobal authorities have reacted with alarm to a coronavirus variant detected in South Africa, with the EU, Britain and India among those announcing stricter border controls as scientists seek to determine if the mutation is vaccine-resistant.
Read more »
EXPLAINER: What is this new COVID variant in South Africa?South African scientists have identified a new version of the coronavirus this week that they say is behind a recent spike in COVID-19 infections in Gauteng, the country’s most populous province.
Read more »
Dow futures plunge 400 points amid fears of new Covid variant found in South AfricaU.S. stock futures dropped in overnight trading on Thursday amid renewed Covid fears over a new variant found in South Africa.
Read more »
Britain alarmed by new COVID-19 variant spreading in South AfricaBritain on Thursday said it was concerned by a newly identified coronavirus variant spreading in South Africa that might make vaccines less effective and imperil efforts to fight the pandemic.
Read more »
How tech injects new life to the health sector in South Africa - CNN VideoHealth tech startups in South Africa are helping patients get the care they need without ever leaving home.
Read more »