Latest mutant Coronavirus discovered in South Africa: What we understand till now.
Key points:
- Another strain has now been discovered, which has ties to South Africa.
- In the United Kingdom, two cases belonging to this new group have been identified.
- South Africa has found that younger individuals with no co-morbidities are being infected by the current variant.
- A sudden increase in the quantity of Covid-19 cases was announced by South Africa in January.
Another strain has now been discovered, which has ties to South Africa, despite fears about new Coronavirus mutations found in the UK as well as the rest of the world subsequently rushing to close their doors to Britain.
Here’s what we heard about the South African variation so far.
1. In the United Kingdom, two cases belonging to this new group have been identified, British health secretary Matt Hancock has reported.
2. They have both come into touch with others who, over the past few weeks, have moved from South Africa.
3. South Africa had earlier identified the mutation. Last week, scientists confirmed discovering a new genetic mutation that could be responsible for the recent increase in cases of Covid-19 in South Africa.
4. The British health secretary has stated that this South African version is more transmittable than the UK variant, as this variant has mutated quite than the UK variant.
5. South African Health Minister Zweli Mkhize revealed on Twitter that the version was called 501.V2.
6. South Africa has found that younger individuals with no co-morbidities are being infected by the current variant.
Clinicians have given anecdotal evidence of a change in the clinical observational picture, indicating in particular that a greater percentage of younger patients with no co-morbidities with serious illnesses are seen,” said Zweli Mkhize.”
7. The new version was discovered by laboratories in South Africa through routine surveillance. The version was originally restricted to coastal areas but has now reached the interior.
8. Flights from South Africa have been forbidden by the United Kingdom, Turkey, Germany, Switzerland, Israel, and Mauritius.
9. The South African variant can enable the virus to bind to as well as enter cells better than previous variants, and that is why, scientists told The Guardian, the transmission rate is higher.
10. A sudden increase in the number of Covid-19 cases was announced by South Africa in January. It is assumed that the latest variant is the reason behind that.
