(Belga) A new variant of the corona virus has been discovered in South Africa. Scientists announced this today. The high number of mutations can reduce the effectiveness of the vaccines.
“Unfortunately, we have discovered a new variant in South Africa that is a source of concern,” virologist Tulio de Oliveira said at an online press conference. The variant B.1.1.529 has an “extremely high” number of mutations, according to South African scientists who had previously discovered the infectious beta variant. At the moment, it is difficult for scientists to estimate the effectiveness of the corona vaccines against this new variant. The emergence of this variant is undoubtedly at the root of the “exponential” increase in the number of infections in recent weeks, said South African Health Minister Joe Phaahla, who attended the press conference. The variant has also appeared in neighboring Botswana and Hong Kong. In Hong Kong it was with someone who had just traveled to South Africa. South Africa is the worst affected country in Africa. In total, more than 2.9 million people have been infected and 89,600 corona patients have died. (Belgium)
“Unfortunately, we have discovered a new variant in South Africa that is a source of concern,” virologist Tulio de Oliveira said at an online press conference. The variant B.1.1.529 has an “extremely high” number of mutations, according to South African scientists who had previously discovered the infectious beta variant. At the moment, it is difficult for scientists to estimate the effectiveness of the corona vaccines against this new variant. The emergence of this variant is undoubtedly at the root of the “exponential” increase in the number of infections in recent weeks, said South African Health Minister Joe Phaahla, who attended the press conference. The variant has also appeared in neighboring Botswana and Hong Kong. In Hong Kong it was with someone who had just traveled to South Africa. South Africa is the worst affected country in Africa. In total, more than 2.9 million people have been infected and 89,600 corona patients have died. (Belgium)
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