By Kaya 959 News
Experts have confirmed that the Lambda variant of COVID-19 has not been detected in South Africa.
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said no traces of the variant have been found in the SA.
“We continue to monitor data and perform sequencing, and the public will be advised of any developments,” the NICD said.
It added that it is important for the public to remain calm and refrain from spreading any misinformation and continue to follow the same preventative methods (wear a mask, maintain social distance and regularly sanitize hands).
Detection in 31 countries
Professor Tulio de Oliveira and Dr Richard Lessell from the Network for Genomic Surveillance South Africa (NGS-SA) confirmed that the variant had been detected in about 31 countries so far.
“We can confirm that up to now, we have not detected the Lambda variant in South Africa.
“We can also confirm that the Delta variant is widespread in many provinces and we are increasing genomic surveillance as we battle the explosive third wave,” de Oliveira said.
In a presentation delivered to the National Coronavirus Control Council (NCCC) on Tuesday, it was revealed that it has been identified in Egypt.
READ: What’s different about the Delta variant?
According to the World Health Organization, “a variant of interest” was first detected in Peru in December 2020, affecting mainly South American countries; Argentina, Chile and Ecuador.
In June, Arequipa and Cucso presented with the most number of Covid cases.
The Peruvian Health Ministry, said they have noted more deaths per capita than other countries since the start of the pandemic.
“It is a figure that is almost 89 percent higher than Hungary, the second-worst country by the same measure, with 310.5 deaths per 100 000,” the experts said during their presentation.
The Lambda variant is overtaking variants in South America and contains mutations of the Delta variant, which is effectively responsible for South Africa’s third wave.
