South African scientists say they are working with the World Health Organization (W.H.O.) To investigate a new variant of coronavirus, currently surging in many parts of the country.
Local scientists say the new variant appears to be unrelated to the one found in the UK. But it does share one important mutation. The shared mutation affects the way the virus attaches to human cells – and scientists speculate, that is what is behind the faster transmission of the virus.
The new variant known as 501.v2 identified by a genomics team led by the Kwazulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform.
It was discovered earlier this month, when scientists noticed a number of mutations during routine surveillance of the virus.
Researchers in the UK say the mutated virus there is 70% more transmissible. But experts in South Africa say they are still gathering data on this, but expect this may be the case.
South Africa has entered a second wave of infections, which has led to new regulations to try to slow the spread of the disease. Some countries have now banned flights from South Africa and the UK including Germany and Switzerland.
