Thread by @NewsBytesApp

A new variant of the coronavirus has been found in South Africa and several other countries. Scientists say the heavily-mutated strain seems to be spreading quickly and may possibly evade prior immunity. Here are more details. #Covid
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Currently known as B.1.1.529 the new strain is the most heavily mutated version of the coronavirus. This raises serious concerns that the variant may trigger wider & severe outbreaks in South Africa or elsewhere. Experts say there are signs that it spreads fast & evades immunity.

The B1.1.529 variant was first identified in Botswana. However, South Africa has so far reported the most number of cases at 22, according to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD). NICD said the cases are "increasing quickly" in three South African provinces.

Two people have been found infected in Hong Kong, too, one of whom traveled from South Africa. The variant has more than 30 mutations in the spike protein alone, said Dr. Tulio de Oliveira, the Director of the KwaZulu-Natal Research and Innovation Sequencing Platform.

On the ACE2 receptor, the strain carries 10 mutations. In comparison, the Beta variant has three and the Delta has two. Scientists are working to find out the effectiveness of vaccines against this variant.

Meanwhile, the UK has banned flights from South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe. All six have been added to the country's "red list," meaning UK residents returning home from these countries will have to undergo a 10-day hotel quarantine.

A WHO technical team will meet on Friday and decide if the new variant should be designated a variant of "interest" or of "concern." A letter of the Greek alphabet, likely to be Nu, will also be assigned to it.

Meanwhile, India's Union Health Ministry on Thursday asked states to rigorously screen and test travelers coming from or transiting through the three countries where the variant has been identified.