According to South African epidemiologist professor Salim Abdool Karim, co-chair of the health ministry's scientific committee, the new<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-will-not-lift-travel-bans-says-bidens-team-after-trumps-order-357591"> coronavirus </a>variant identified in the country is more contagious than earlier versions.

However, Karim said there is no evidence to suggest it is "more severe".

Watch:

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"The current data suggest the new variant is not more severe and the published convalescent serum studies suggest that natural antibodies are less effective," Karim said.

However, Alex Sigal, virologist at the Africa health research institute, said: "In general we have reasons to be concerned because it seems the virus has found a way to escape from previous antibodies."

"The world has underestimated this virus. This virus can evolve it can adapt," Sigal added.

The new variant was identified in late December last year since then it has the been the main cause of surge across various countries in Europe, Asia and South America.

According to reports, the new strain is now spreading around 50 per cent quicker than the original one. South Africa has recorded over 1.3 million <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/hotels-quarantined-schools-shut-down-in-swiss-ski-resort-to-contain-covid-19-variant-357526">coronavirus</a> cases along with 37,105 deaths.

Karim added that it was still unknown whether the current vaccines would be effective against the new variant of the virus

In Europe, 25 countries, including Russia, have recorded cases of the strain first discovered in the UK dubbed "VOC 202012/01".

According to South African epidemiologist professor Salim Abdool Karim, co-chair of the health ministry's scientific committee, the new coronavirus variant identified in the country is more contagious than earlier versions.

According to South African epidemiologist professor Salim Abdool Karim, co-chair of the health ministry's scientific committee, the new coronavirus variant identified in the country is more contagious than earlier versions. However, Karim said there is no evidence to suggest it is "more severe". Watch: "The current data suggest the new variant is not more severe and the published convalescent serum studies suggest that natural antibodies are less effective," Karim said. However, Alex Sigal, virologist at the Africa health research institute, said: "In general we have reasons to be concerned because it seems the virus has found a way to escape from previous antibodies." "The world has underestimated this virus. This virus can evolve it can adapt," Sigal added. The new variant was identified in late December last year since then it has the been the main cause of surge across various countries in Europe, Asia and South America. According to reports, the new strain is now spreading around 50 per cent quicker than the original one. South Africa has recorded over 1.3 million coronavirus cases along with 37,105 deaths. Karim added that it was still unknown whether the current vaccines would be effective against the new variant of the virus In Europe, 25 countries, including Russia, have recorded cases of the strain first discovered in the UK dubbed "VOC 202012/01".

South African virus strain more contagious, says expert

The scientists in South Africa believe that the news Covid-19 mutant found in the country is likely to be more transmissible, may hit young people harder, and maybe slightly more resistant to vaccines. 
 
<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-covid-19-strain-from-south-africa-detected-in-uk-health-secretary-matt-hancock-351873">Also read | New COVID-19 strain from South Africa detected in UK: Health secretary Matt Hancock</a>

The new strain, called the 501.V2 Variant, was first discovered in South African province Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape.

South African Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize said the new COVID-19 strain has three mutations and has spread in South Africa. The first case of this COVID-19 mutant was reported in Nelson Mandela Bay.

The new coronavirus strain has affected many young people and those with no pre-existing health conditions.

Dr Richard Lessells, an infectious diseases expert in South Africa, said the efficacy of existing vaccines against this variant could not be ascertained. Another red flag was the possibility of reinfection in those people who have already contracted coronavirus.

Meanwhile, with reports of a new strain over eight countries have so far closed doors to passengers coming from South Africa. Germany, Turkey, Israel, Switzerland, the UK, Uzbekistan and the Netherlands aren’t permitting any flights from South Africa to enter their country.

South African Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said that people experiencing no symptoms have been testing positive for the virus, adding, "The evidence that has been collated, therefore, strongly suggests that the current second wave we are experiencing is being driven by this new variant," reported ANI.

(With inputs from agencies)

The scientists in South Africa believe that the news Covid-19 mutant found in the country is likely to be more transmissible, may hit young people harder, and maybe slightly more resistant to vaccines.

The scientists in South Africa believe that the news Covid-19 mutant found in the country is likely to be more transmissible, may hit young people harder, and maybe slightly more resistant to vaccines. Also read | New COVID-19 strain from South Africa detected in UK: Health secretary Matt Hancock The new strain, called the 501.V2 Variant, was first discovered in South African province Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and Western Cape. South African Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize said the new COVID-19 strain has three mutations and has spread in South Africa. The first case of this COVID-19 mutant was reported in Nelson Mandela Bay. The new coronavirus strain has affected many young people and those with no pre-existing health conditions. Dr Richard Lessells, an infectious diseases expert in South Africa, said the efficacy of existing vaccines against this variant could not be ascertained. Another red flag was the possibility of reinfection in those people who have already contracted coronavirus. Meanwhile, with reports of a new strain over eight countries have so far closed doors to passengers coming from South Africa. Germany, Turkey, Israel, Switzerland, the UK, Uzbekistan and the Netherlands aren’t permitting any flights from South Africa to enter their country. South African Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said that people experiencing no symptoms have been testing positive for the virus, adding, "The evidence that has been collated, therefore, strongly suggests that the current second wave we are experiencing is being driven by this new variant," reported ANI. (With inputs from agencies)

New Covid-19 mutant found in South Africa spreads more swiftly

As the UK battles a new strain of coronavirus, UK health secretary Matt Hancock said another new strain of <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/as-trump-rejects-covid-19-stimulus-package-us-orders-another-100-million-pfizer-biontech-vaccine-doses-351856">COVID-19 </a>has been detected which has originated from South Africa.

Watch:

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"Anyone who has been in South Africa during the last fortnight or anyone who was&nbsp;in close contact with anyone in South Africa must be quarantined immediately," Hancock said, adding, "all travellers from South Africa in the past two weeks must isolate immediately due to the new variant which has been identified."

"The development is “highly concerning” because the new variant is more transmissible and appears to have mutated further," he added. Hancock said South Africa has been placed in immediate travel restriction with two cases detected in the country.

As the virus continues to surge in the country, the health secretary informed that there has been a significant number of new variant cases rising in East Anglia.

Hancock announced that Essex, Norfolk, Sussex, Surrey, Oxfordshire and Hampshire will enter Tier 4 restrictions from Boxing Day while Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Swindon, Isle of Wight, New Forest, Northamptonshire, Cheshire and Warrington enter Tier 3 restrictions.

"Cornwall and Herefordshire will go into Tier 2 from&nbsp;Boxing Day," he said.

British PM Johnson last Saturday had said a new strain of the virus was discovered which was "70 per cent" more transferable while announcing&nbsp;Tier 4 lockdown measures across England.

The&nbsp; British PM's revelation had lead several countries to impose travel restrictions on UK which is expected to continue in the New Year.

As the UK battles a new strain of coronavirus, UK health secretary Matt Hancock said another new strain of COVID-19 has been detected which has originated from South Africa.

As the UK battles a new strain of coronavirus, UK health secretary Matt Hancock said another new strain of COVID-19 has been detected which has originated from South Africa. Watch: "Anyone who has been in South Africa during the last fortnight or anyone who was in close contact with anyone in South Africa must be quarantined immediately," Hancock said, adding, "all travellers from South Africa in the past two weeks must isolate immediately due to the new variant which has been identified." "The development is “highly concerning” because the new variant is more transmissible and appears to have mutated further," he added. Hancock said South Africa has been placed in immediate travel restriction with two cases detected in the country. As the virus continues to surge in the country, the health secretary informed that there has been a significant number of new variant cases rising in East Anglia. Hancock announced that Essex, Norfolk, Sussex, Surrey, Oxfordshire and Hampshire will enter Tier 4 restrictions from Boxing Day while Bristol, Gloucestershire, Somerset, Swindon, Isle of Wight, New Forest, Northamptonshire, Cheshire and Warrington enter Tier 3 restrictions. "Cornwall and Herefordshire will go into Tier 2 from Boxing Day," he said. British PM Johnson last Saturday had said a new strain of the virus was discovered which was "70 per cent" more transferable while announcing Tier 4 lockdown measures across England. The British PM's revelation had lead several countries to impose travel restrictions on UK which is expected to continue in the New Year.

New COVID-19 strain from South Africa detected in UK: Health secretary Matt Hancock