A new coronavirus variant has been detected in South Africa that scientists say is a concern because of its high number of mutations and rapid spread among young people in Gauteng, the country's most populous province.
The European Union's executive also said that it wants to stop air travel from southern Africa to counter the spread of a new COVID-19 variant.
The new variant has been red-flagged by scientists over an alarmingly high number of spike mutations that might make the virus more resistant to vaccines, increase its transmissibility and lead to more severe COVID-19 symptoms.
The Centre has asked states to closely track and test the contacts of international travellers. While South Africa has reported six cases, Botswana has detected three cases of the new variant. One person was found to be infected in Hong Kong. The new variant has been identified as B.1.1.529.
It comes as Variant B.1.1.529 is declared a Variant under Investigation (VuI) by the UK Health Security Agency.
South Africa detects a new COVID-19 variant, reports AFP News Agency quoting scientists.
Star batter Quinton de Kock's expected return after agreeing to take the knee will bolster South Africa when they take on an inconsistent Sri Lanka in their Super 12 game at the T20 World Cup on Saturday.
Live Cricket Score, Commentary, LIVE Updates: South Africa takes on West Indies in the Super 12, Group 1 match of the ICC T20 World Cup 2021 at the Dubai International Stadium.
C.1.2 was first identified in May 2021 during the third wave of Covid in the country, said researchers from the country's National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) and the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform.
In an address to the nation on Sunday evening, Ramaphosa said South Africa, with immediate effect, will move to Level 3 from current Level 4 of five-level lockdown strategy.
The two players are namely Thabiso Monyane and Kamohelo Mahlatsi while team's video analyst Mario Masha also tested positive on arrival.
South Africa’s police say 72 people have been killed and 1,234 have been arrested in waves of rioting that have hit the KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng provinces.
At least 10 people have been killed and more than 490 arrested "in acts of public violence rarely seen in the history of our democracy," President Ramaphosa said.
The latest vaccine approval was based on "safety, quality and efficacy data" submitted to the regulator between Mar 22 and June 22, it said in a statement, Xinhua reported.
A 56-year-old great-granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, who was an accused in a six-million rand fraud and forgery case, has been sentenced to seven years in jail by a Durban court.
Van den Heever was speaking on an expert panel hosted by leading managed care provider and medical scheme administrator Agility Health.
The current COVID-19 crisis of a huge number of daily infections in India is something that has already happened elsewhere in the world, South African Health Minister Zweli Mkhize said
South Africa’s central bank has seized over USD 1.3 million from a bank account of the now-abandoned Gupta family-owned Sahara Computers, which was one of the country’s leading IT suppliers.
A maximum of 250 people will be allowed at indoor religious gatherings while 500 people are allowed for outdoor events. Ramaphosa's announcement came after he consulted health experts and religious leaders on Tuesday to discuss ways to curb the spread of new infections.
According to the research, published in the journal Cell, recovery from COVID-19 as well as vaccination may offer only incomplete protection against these mutant virus forms.
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