South African scientists are getting support from the World Health Organization in investigating a new variant of coronavirus.
Scientists have detected the new variant of the coronavirus which is sparking increase in cases across the country.
The new variant was first found in the Eastern Cape province and has since spread to the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
The new variant known as 501.V2 was identified by a genomics team led by the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform.
This â501.V2 variantâ of the virus has been identified by South African researchers and reported to the World Health Organization, health minister, Zwelini Mkhize, said in a statement.
Covid-19: KZN study of new strain gets R25m injection
Higher Education, Science and Innovation Minister Dr Blade Nzimande has announced that the organisation at the centre of the study of the new Covid-19 strain identified in South Africa will receive a financial boost from the Department of Science and Innovation (DSI.) The KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform will use the funds to sequence the genomes of the new strain of SARS-CoV-2 which was recently identified by scientists at Krisp. Evidence suggest that the new strain is more aggressive, causing severe illness in young people and spreading more easily. – Melani Nathan
COVID-19: South Africa sees new virus variant | Premium Times Nigeria premiumtimesng.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from premiumtimesng.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Enter recipient email address SA has been getting a minimal number of tourists from abroad. (iStock)
The tourism sector has hit back at speculation that opening international borders could be responsible for a spike in coronavirus infections in South Africa, saying people who fail to stick to safety regulations are the real culprits.
Concerns have mounted amid announcements that South Africa has entered its second wave, as well as a new strain of Covid-19 being identified by scientists from the Kwazulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform. The new strain is seeing more confirmed cases, as well as more hospitalisations and deaths, including among younger people without comorbidities.
Sedibeng records 15 890 COVID-19 cases vaalweekblad.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from vaalweekblad.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.