SA s Covid variant: How much more contagious it may be, and what it could mean for vaccines Dec 28, 2020, 02:45 PM
facebook
An illustration of Covid-19. (Getty)
SA s new Covid-19 variant is still being analysed, but one of SA s top genetic scientists expects it to be between 40% to 70% more transmissible.
Some of its unique mutations could also force vaccine producers to update their jabs.
Scientists now think variants could originate in people with very weak immune systems due to illnesses like cancer.
For more articles, go to
In the next few weeks, as laboratory work progresses
, South Africans should get a clearer picture of its new Covid-19 variant, says Professor Tulio de Oliveira, director of the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (KRISP). KRISP coordinates the genetic research into the virus in South Africa.
This is worrisome. SA s new Covid variant now dominates in KZN too Dec 28, 2020, 03:40 PM
facebook
(Getty)
The latest data shows that South Africa s new Covid-19 variant has been found in almost 80% of samples from South Africa s coronavirus hotspots.
For the first time, the new variant also dominates in samples from KwaZulu-Natal, which now has the most active cases in the country.
SA s lead genomic scientist says this is concerning, and that the new variant is now clearly driving the Covid surge in SA.
For more articles, go to
.
Over the past week, new data confirmed that South Africa’s Covid-19 variant is now also dominating genetic samples from KwaZulu-Natal, says Professor Tulio de Oliveira, director of the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (KRISP). KRISP coordinates the nationwide analysis of genetic samples of the virus.
South Africa s coronavirus surge prompts strict new rules washingtonpost.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from washingtonpost.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Pillay said the Covid-19 variant detected in SA was easily transmitted.
“It s important to understand that 14,000 is a smaller number than those who are carrying the virus but do not test.”
He said the government did not want to criminalise normal behaviour.
“We are trying to make people understand the consequences of this behaviour. We are hoping young people will understand that if they are infected they might infect their parents,” said Pillay.
Prof Tulio de Oliveira, director of the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (Krisp) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, said the new variant was responsible for the rapid resurgence of the virus.
Government may have to review current lockdown restrictions and consider further measures to curb the exponential spread of the Covid-19 virus, says health…