SA scientists who discovered new Covid-19 variant share what they know Researchers say a tip from staff at a private hospital could be the reason the 501Y.V2 was picked up so quickly 25 January 2021 - 19:48 By Willem Hanekom and Tulio de Oliveira
Late last year, the Network for Genomic Surveillance in South Africa (NGS-SA), (http://www.krisp.org.za/ngs-sa/ngs-sa network for genomic surveillance south africa/) led by the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (KRISP (https://www.krisp.org.za/)) identified a rapidly spreading new variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19. The new variant, called 501Y.V2, raises critical questions, including whether current vaccines and treatments will still be effective.
Late last year the Network for Genomic Surveillance in South Africa (NGS-SA) led by the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (KRISP) identified a rapidly spreading new variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The new variant, called 501Y.V2, raises critical questions – including whether current vaccines and treatments will still be effective.
South Africa responds to new SARS-CoV-2 variant thelancet.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from thelancet.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Scientists have observed that 501Y.V2 has quickly become "dominant" among multiple variants that have been circulating in the South African population.