Thread by @DrZweliMkhize

We have convened this public briefing today to announce that a variant of the SARS-COV-2 Virus- currently termed 501.V2 Variant has been identified by our genomics scientists here in South Africa.
#SARSCOV2MediaBriefing

This genomics team, led by the Kwazulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform, or KRISP, has sequenced hundreds of samples from across the country since the beginning of the pandemic in March. #SARSCOV2MediaBriefing

Clinicians have been providing anecdotal evidence of a shift in the clinical epidemiological picture- in particular noting that they are seeing a larger proportion of younger patients with no co-morbidities presenting with critical illness. #SARSCOV2MediaBriefing

The evidence that has been collated, therefore, strongly suggests that that the current second wave we are experiencing is being driven by this new variant. #SARSCOV2MediaBriefing

Karim: “What we are seeing now is that the rate of increase in cases is similar as the first wave but the second wave has now over shot the peak of the first wave.” #SARSCOV2MediaBriefing

Karim: “The second wave has now hit all provinces with some early signs of it spreading faster than the first wave.” #SARSCOV2MediaBriefing

Karim: “The second wave is showing early signs that it is spreading faster than the first wave. It is not clear if this second wave has more or less deaths. We have not seen any red flags looking at our current death information” #SARSCOV2MediaBriefing

Karim: This new 501.V2 variant has become dominant in South Africa. This new variant has 3 mutations. #SARSCOV2MediaBriefing

Karim: The higher viral load in swabs may translate to higher efficiency of transmission. #SARSCOV2MediaBriefing

Karim: “We are seeing a much higher proportion of the new variant than the rest of the world. “ #SARSCOV2MediaBriefing

Karim: “We don't know where it originated. What we do know is that we first found it in Nelson Mandela Bay” #SARSCOV2MediaBriefing

Mkhize: We knew it was coming but none of us expected for it to come as quickly as it did. There was no specific projection. It comes at a time when the behaviour over the festive season is likely to worsen the spread of the virus.

Mkhize: We have noticed a degree of complacency with mask-wearing and hand sanitizing. The second wave is increasing during this season but we believe it is most likely to increase after this season. It may well have another bump where numbers are showing an increase.

Mkhize: We appeal to all the media and medical and scientific community to focus on the facts and avoid entering into speculation or issue unproven statements and generate panic and disinformation. #SARSCOV2MediaBriefing