South African COVID-19 variant in California: What you need to know Scientists detected the first cases of the South Africa variant in California this week, a version of the coronavirus that appears to be more elusive to current vaccines and the natural immunity produced by previous infections. By: KGTV Staff and last updated 2021-02-12 16:27:43-05 SAN DIEGO, Calif. â Scientists detected the first cases of the South Africa variant in California this week, a version of the coronavirus that appears to be more elusive to current vaccines and the natural immunity produced by previous infections. The South Africa variant shares a mutation with the UK variant that scientists believe makes the virus stickier to cells and more transmissible. The South Africa variant, officially known as B.1.351, also has two other mutations in its spike proteins that scientists consider troubling.