New Covid-19 variant in South Africa raises concerns: NPR
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Virologists are rushing to learn more about a variant of the Covid-19 virus first identified in Botswanaand is rapidly overtaking other versions of the virus in the South African region including Johannesburg.
Variations, currently has a face value of B.1.1.529, was reported to have twice the number of mutations shown by the Delta variant, which became the dominant variant in most of the world during the summer.
It is not yet clear whether the mutations make this variant more infectious or if it causes more severe disease, but The researchers say the high number of mutations for “mutant proteins” – the focus of the body’s immune response – can make it more able to overcome the body’s defenses.
Despite the spread of this variant, the number of Covid-19 infections in South Africa is still far below Delta’s increase earlier this year. But the numbers are starting to rise again.
Until more is known about this variant, UK health authorities are on the lookout for canceling flights from six countries in southern Africa, adding them to the country’s “red list” for traveler.
The World Health Organization convened an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss this variant. If identified as of particular interest or concern, it may be named “Nu”, the next Greek letter in the current naming scheme.