In South Africa, a new potential COVID-19 variant of interest (VOI) has been identified.

Scientists from the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) of South Africa first spotted&nbsp;the strain&nbsp;in May 2021 during the third wave of Covid in the country.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/warning-from-wuhans-bat-woman-new-covid-variants-will-continue-to-emerge-says-shi-zhengli-404383">Warning from Wuhan's 'bat woman': New Covid variants will continue to emerge, says Shi Zhengli</a>

Since then, the strain which has been assigned to the PANGO lineage C.1.2, has been&nbsp;detected in most of South Africa's provinces as well as in seven other countries across Africa, Europe, Asia and Oceania.

The variant is believed to have evolved from C.1,&nbsp;one of the lineages predominant during the first outbreak of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/topics/coronavirus">SARS-CoV-2</a> in South Africa.

According to the study's abstract C.1.2 is associated with&nbsp;reduced neutralisation sensitivity,&nbsp;as well as having increased transmissibility.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lambda-new-variant-of-covid-19-that-is-affecting-29-countries-392308">Lambda: New variant of COVID-19 that is affecting 29 countries</a>

Compared to C.1, the new variant has undergone substantial mutations and is further away from the original virus detected in Wuhan than any other variant of concern (VOC) or VOI detected so far around the world. 
 
Study results indicate that C.1.2 develops 41.8 mutations per year. This is an approximately 1.7-fold increase over the current global rate and an approximately 1.8-fold increase over the original SARS-CoV-2 evolution estimate.

Alpha, Beta, and Gamma VOCs also emerged after a similarly short period of increased evolution. The researchers suggest that one event, followed by amplification in the number of cases, was responsible for the faster mutation rate.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/covid-19-all-you-need-to-know-about-delta-plus-variant-393450">COVID-19: All you need to know about Delta Plus variant</a>

Over half or 52 per cent of the spike mutations identified in C.1.2 have already been identified in other VOIs and VOCs. 
 
Moreover, the study found a consistent rise in the number of C.1.2 genomes each month in South Africa, rising from 0.2 per cent in May to 1.6 per cent in June and 2.0 per cent in July. Researchers noted this is similar to what was observed in Beta and Delta during early detection in South Africa. 
 
80 sequences matching the C.1.2 lineage are already listed on the open-access database GISAID (Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data) as of August 20, 2021.

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/unvaccinated-teacher-infects-students-after-contracting-covid-19-409277/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

 
More study is needed "to determine the functional impact of these mutations, which likely include neutralising antibody escape, and to investigate whether it confers advantage over the Delta variant," says&nbsp;Cathrine Scheepers, from NICD.

These findings have been reported in a study that has yet to be peer-reviewed but is available on the medRxiv server.

(With inputs from agencies)

In South Africa, a new potential COVID-19 variant of interest (VOI) has been identified. Scientists from the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) of South Africa first spotted the strain in May 2021 during the third wave of Covid in the country.

In South Africa, a new potential COVID-19 variant of interest (VOI) has been identified. Scientists from the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform and the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) of South Africa first spotted the strain in May 2021 during the third wave of Covid in the country. Also read | Warning from Wuhan's 'bat woman': New Covid variants will continue to emerge, says Shi Zhengli Since then, the strain which has been assigned to the PANGO lineage C.1.2, has been detected in most of South Africa's provinces as well as in seven other countries across Africa, Europe, Asia and Oceania. The variant is believed to have evolved from C.1, one of the lineages predominant during the first outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 in South Africa. According to the study's abstract C.1.2 is associated with reduced neutralisation sensitivity, as well as having increased transmissibility. Also read | Lambda: New variant of COVID-19 that is affecting 29 countries Compared to C.1, the new variant has undergone substantial mutations and is further away from the original virus detected in Wuhan than any other variant of concern (VOC) or VOI detected so far around the world. Study results indicate that C.1.2 develops 41.8 mutations per year. This is an approximately 1.7-fold increase over the current global rate and an approximately 1.8-fold increase over the original SARS-CoV-2 evolution estimate. Alpha, Beta, and Gamma VOCs also emerged after a similarly short period of increased evolution. The researchers suggest that one event, followed by amplification in the number of cases, was responsible for the faster mutation rate. Also read | COVID-19: All you need to know about Delta Plus variant Over half or 52 per cent of the spike mutations identified in C.1.2 have already been identified in other VOIs and VOCs. Moreover, the study found a consistent rise in the number of C.1.2 genomes each month in South Africa, rising from 0.2 per cent in May to 1.6 per cent in June and 2.0 per cent in July. Researchers noted this is similar to what was observed in Beta and Delta during early detection in South Africa. 80 sequences matching the C.1.2 lineage are already listed on the open-access database GISAID (Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data) as of August 20, 2021. More study is needed "to determine the functional impact of these mutations, which likely include neutralising antibody escape, and to investigate whether it confers advantage over the Delta variant," says Cathrine Scheepers, from NICD. These findings have been reported in a study that has yet to be peer-reviewed but is available on the medRxiv server. (With inputs from agencies)

New potential COVID-19 variant of concern identified in South Africa

French Health Ministry on early Tuesday said that a fresh coronavirus strain has been detected in the Brittany region in the country's northwest.

The ministry explained that the new variant was found in a cluster at the Lannion hospital center in the Cotes d'Armor department. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/another-new-coronavirus-strain-found-in-uk-designated-variant-under-investigation-368166">Also read:&nbsp;Another new coronavirus strain found in UK designated 'variant under investigation'</a> 
 
"The first analyzes of this new variant do not allow to conclude either an increased severity or transmissibility compared to the historical virus. In-depth investigations are underway to better understand this variant and its impact," the ministry said in a statement. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/australia-to-continue-using-astrazeneca-vaccine-despite-upheaval-in-europe-370761">Also read: Australia to continue using AstraZeneca vaccine despite upheaval in Europe</a> 
 
 
Coronavirus Update: WHO says no link between blood clots &amp; vaccine

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In particular, experiments will be in place to determine the reaction of the fresh strain on vaccination and antibodies from other infections, the statement read.&nbsp;

Besides, it went on, the local authorities were ordered to step up virus-related measures, including the boosting of the vaccination, limiting people gatherings, and reiterating the importance of social distancing rules.

It also noted that the international authorities have been informed about the discovery of the new mutation.

(With inputs from agencies)

French Health Ministry on early Tuesday said that a fresh coronavirus strain has been detected in the Brittany region in the country's northwest. The ministry explained that the new variant was found in a cluster at the Lannion hospital center in the Cotes d'Armor department.

French Health Ministry on early Tuesday said that a fresh coronavirus strain has been detected in the Brittany region in the country's northwest. The ministry explained that the new variant was found in a cluster at the Lannion hospital center in the Cotes d'Armor department. Also read: Another new coronavirus strain found in UK designated 'variant under investigation' "The first analyzes of this new variant do not allow to conclude either an increased severity or transmissibility compared to the historical virus. In-depth investigations are underway to better understand this variant and its impact," the ministry said in a statement. Also read: Australia to continue using AstraZeneca vaccine despite upheaval in Europe Coronavirus Update: WHO says no link between blood clots & vaccine In particular, experiments will be in place to determine the reaction of the fresh strain on vaccination and antibodies from other infections, the statement read. Besides, it went on, the local authorities were ordered to step up virus-related measures, including the boosting of the vaccination, limiting people gatherings, and reiterating the importance of social distancing rules. It also noted that the international authorities have been informed about the discovery of the new mutation. (With inputs from agencies)

New coronavirus strain discovered in France's Brittany region: Health Ministry

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New potential COVID-19 variant of concern identified in South Africa

New coronavirus strain discovered in France's Brittany region: Health Ministry