South Africa monitors spreading Coronavirus variant
The new C.1.2 Coronavirus variant has kept South African researchers busy after it emerged in the country.
According to BBC Africa report, the C.1.2 even though it has multiple mutations is not yet a variant of concern.
Cases of the variant have been recorded in all provinces in South Africa and seven countries in Africa, Asia, Europe and Oceania.
Scientists are analysing how the variant responds to coronavirus antibodies.
They are also studying its various mutations and the transmission.
Maria van Kerkhove, technical lead on Covid-19 for the World Health Organization (WHO) said the variant “does not appear to be rising in circulation”.
She said the Delta variant was still dominant and that the WHO would inform people if that changes.
The reports states that South Africa has been badly hit by the pandemic with cases of both the Delta and Beta variants that are highly transmissible recorded.
The country has recorded 2,770,575 coronavirus cases including 81,830 deaths.
📸: Jerome Delay/AP