According to Western Cape Head of Health, Dr Keith Cloete, genomic data and PCR test data suggest that these new sublineages may be causing an increasing share of reported cases in the country, particularly in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal.
Provincial Head of Health Dr Keith Cloete said this was due to high levels of protection among the general population as a result of vaccines and prior infection.
Provincial Health Department bosses gave an overview of their management of the pandemic, saying that health facilities were coping and most COVID-19 cases picked up at hospitals were incidental.