A new SARS-CoV-2 variant has been identified as being widespread across most SA regions by now
However, despite the finding, sufficient evidence that can answer crucial questions is still lacking and research is ongoing
In the meantime, people need to focus on responsible behaviour during the second wave, experts caution
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize announced the discovery of a new variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the Covid-19 disease, News24 reported on Friday evening.
While Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC) co-chairperson Professor Salim Abdool Karim cautioned that there are early signs that the new variant, named 501.V2, is spreading fast during South Africa s second wave, he added that the severity of the virus in the second wave is still unclear and that research is ongoing. He said in some cases it is spreading faster than the variant responsible for the first wave.