South African health ministry has confirmed a new variant (lineage) of the Sars-CoV-2 virus, which causes the coronavirus disease, has been detected in the country, reported All Africa.
South African Health Minister, Zweli Mkhize, said the new variant of the virus, known as 501.V2, was resulting in a surge of Covid-19 infections prompting a second wave in the country. The announcement was made days after Britain confirmed it had also found a new variant of the virus.
“We have convened this public briefing today to announce that a variant of the SARS-COV-2 Virus – currently termed 501.V2 Variant – has been identified by our genomics scientists here in South Africa,” Mr. Mkhize tweeted.
The conclusion was made after the examination of hundreds of samples that were collected by the scientists since the beginning of the pandemic in March. The research has been carried out by a team of genomics team, led by the Kwazulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (KRISP).
The South African health minister said the evidence that has been collated suggests that the current second wave in the country is being driven by the new variant.
Notably, the virus has mutated several times between March and September across the world. However, from late September, scientists say the virus has accumulated several mutations that have not previously been seen in South Africa.
The scientists have also claimed that the second wave is spreading faster than the first wave. However, it still remains unclear whether or not the new variant has claimed more deaths.
On Friday, the World Health Organization (WHO) said it was in touch with the South African researchers who identified the new variant.
South Africa has recorded the highest number of coronavirus infections in Africa, with the number of cases passing the 900,000 mark. Over 20,000 people have died because of the virus so far. A resurgence in cases forced the South African government to tighten restrictions on society last week.
