Coronavirus: Another new strain identified in South Africa …

In South Africa, they have also identified a new variant of the coronavirus, which is believed to be responsible for the second wave of infections in that country. This new variant proves to be more contagious in patients young people, who develop more severe symptoms than usual, even without pre-existing health problems. So it affects not only people over 60, but also young people.

South African Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize reported on Friday that “a variant of the SARS-COV-2 virus, currently known as Variant 501.V2, it was identified “by genomics scientists in South Africa.

“The evidence gathered clearly suggests that the current second wave that we are experiencing is carried by this new variant“He added.

Doctors have seen an evolution in the epidemiological landscape, with more young patients, without comorbidities, which develop severe forms of the disease compared to the most common strain.

The new strain from South Africa is different from the one recently identified in the UK, although it “shows similarities in lineage”.

The South African Minister of Health, Zweli Mkhize, reported that “a variant of the SARS-COV-2 virus, currently called Variant 501.V2, has been identified “by scientists in this country.

“The evidence gathered clearly suggests that the current second wave that we are experiencing is carried by this new variant“He added.

Doctors perceived more young patients, without comorbidities, which develop severe forms of the disease compared to the common strain.

The World Health Organization said it was in contact with South African researchers who identified the new variant. The body still specified that there was no indication that there were any changes in the way the new strain of virus behaved.

South Africa is the African country worst affected by the pandemic, and the identification of a new variant of the coronavirus could explain the speed of transmission in the current second wave, which has already brought the total of cases to more than 900,000.