Health experts in South Africa race to deal with the possible influx of patients as new Covid variant Omicron spreads with lightning speed across the country
Over a period of two weeks, the Omicron variant has sent South Africa from a period of low transmission to rapid growth of new confirmed cases.
“Young people, in their 20s to just over their late 30s, are coming in with moderate to severe disease, some needing intensive care." “We know we have a new variant,” said Mathivha. “The worst case scenario is that it hits us like delta ... we need to have critical care beds ready.”In the space of two weeks, the Omicron variant has sent South Africa from a period of low transmission to rapid growth of new confirmed cases.
Early studies show that it has a reproduction rate of 2 — meaning that every person infected by it is likely to spread it to two other people.The new variant has a high number of mutations that appear to make it more transmissible and help it evade immune responses.
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.
South African scientists detect new virus variant amid spikeExperts are concerned about a new coronavirus variant detected in South Africa because of its high number of mutations and rapid spread among young people.
Read more »
South African scientists detect new virus variant amid spike | AP NewsJOHANNESBURG (AP) — A new coronavirus variant has been detected in South Africa that scientists say is a concern because of its high number of mutations and rapid spread among young people in Gauteng, the country's most populous province, Health Minister Joe Phaahla announced Thursday.
Read more »
A new Covid-19 variant could show immune evasion and enhanced transmissibility, South African scientists warnSouth Africa's health minister has announced the discovery of a new coronavirus variant that appears to be spreading rapidly in parts of the country.
Read more »
South African rand takes a hit on fears of new Covid variant with many mutationsThe South African rand on Friday fell sharply against the dollar after a new variant with many mutations was detected in the country.
Read more »
South African scientists detect new virus variant amid spikeA new coronavirus variant has been detected in South Africa that scientists say is a concern because of its high number of mutations and rapid spread among young people in Gauteng, the country’s most populous province
Read more »
Fauci says U.S. in 'active communication' with South African scientists about Covid variant
Read more »