By: Kaya 959 News
South African scientists have detected a new coronavirus variant with multiple mutations, reports Reuters news organisation.
The new variant is called C.1.2.
According to several publications, it was first detected in South Africa in May.
C.1.2 has reportedly spread to all the provinces in South Africa, reports the National Institute for Communicable Diseases.
It was also detected in seven other countries in Africa, Europe, Asia, and Oceania.
According to Business Tech, the new variant has been associated with increased transmissibility, neutralisation resistance, and disease severity.
READ: Lambda variant not detected in South Africa
“A new #SARSCoV2 variant C.1.2 just identified in South Africa & several countries, with concerns it could be more infectious and evade vaccines. #C12 also has mutation rate that is nearly **twice as fast** as the rate of the other variants,” tweeted DR Eric Feigl-Ding, a Epidemiologist & health economist.
🦠NEW VARIANT—a new #SARSCoV2 variant C.1.2 just identified in South Africa & several countries, with concerns it could be more infectious and evade vaccines. #C12 also has mutation rate that is nearly **twice as fast** as the rate of the other variants.🧵https://t.co/r4RReDcAIe pic.twitter.com/a432jYiexE
— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) August 30, 2021
“This C.1.2 is obviously a very fast-moving variant. We don’t know the exact transmission yet or the severity or vaccine efficacy yet. But the best advice that will serve us well is to take the precautionary principles as the approach — move fast,” he tweeted.
11) This #C12 is obviously a very fast moving variant. We don’t know exact transmission yet or severity or vaccine efficacy yet. But the best advice that will serve us well is to take the PRECAUTIONARY PRINCIPLE as the approach—“move fast”!!! pic.twitter.com/CT9TFspXI0
— Eric Feigl-Ding (@DrEricDing) August 30, 2021
READ: What’s different about the Delta variant?
Effects on vaccination
”Based on our understanding of the mutations in this lineage partial immune escape may be possible, but despite this, vaccines will still offer high levels of protection against hospitalization and death,” states the National Institute for Communicable Diseases.
It has encouraged people to vaccinate to help reduce the spread of the virus.
“Vaccination remains critical to protect those in our communities at high risk of hospitalization and death, to reduce strain on the health system, and to help slow transmission. This has to be combined with all the other public health and social measures, so we advise the public to remain vigilant and continue to follow COVID-19 protocol by: ensuring good ventilation in all shared spaces, wearing masks (which cover your nose, mouth and chin), washing or sanitizing your hands and surfaces regularly, and keeping 1.5m distance from others as much as possible. These non-pharmaceutical interventions are still proven to prevent the spread of all SARS-CoV-2 viruses,” states the National Institute for Communicable Diseases website.
