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.
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Scientists have observed that 501Y.V2 has quickly become "dominant" among multiple variants that have been circulating in the South African population.
Asked and answered: Six things you need to know about the new Covid-19 variant in South Africa
21 Jan 2021
Following the December announcement of the new variant, researchers have been working to answer key questions about what this means for South Africa’s epidemic. (Sebastian Kahnert/picture alliance via Getty Images)
South Africa’s department of health gathered the country’s best and brightest for a virtual briefing on Monday evening. Here scientists presented the latest findings on a variant of the new Covid-19 called 501Y.V2.
This variant was first identified in South Africa in 2020 by a genomics team led by the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (KRISP) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
KLM Royal Dutch airlines has announced the discontinuation of flights to and from South Africa after the Dutch government placed a travel ban on the country.