Thread by @HeidiGiokos

BREAKING: B.1.617.2 #Covid19 variant first detected in India is now in South Africa. Department of Health announces 4 cases have been identified.

Network for Genomic Surveillance in SA has confirmed 2 variants of concern, other than the B.1.351 already dominating in SA, have been detected.
These are:
11 cases of the B.1.1.7 which was first detected in the UK.
And 4 cases of B.1.617.2 first detected in India. #COVID19

The 4 cases of B.1.617.2 have been detected in Gauteng (2) and KwaZulu-Natal (2) and all have a history of recent arrival from #India #Covid19

The Dep of Health says all cases have been isolated and managed according to national #COVID19 case management guidelines and contact tracing has been performed in order to limit the spread of this variant.

Of the eleven cases of B.1.1.7 (Variant dominant in Indian) 8 were detected in the Western Cape (with two having a history of travel from Bahrain), one was detected in KwaZulu- Natal and two were detected in Gauteng. #COVID19

The B.1.1.7 (dominant in the UK) has been detected in community samples and this therefore suggests that community transmission of B.1.1.7, which is the variant dominate in the UK has already set in. #COVID19

Dep of Health says as the epidemic progresses, the detection of new variants is inevitable. The work of genomic surveillance assists to detect the variants and understand their behaviour and to refine vaccines so they remain effective. #COVID19

Department of Health adds there are a number of other samples from cases with a history of recent travel into South Africa that are currently being sequenced and results are expected over the next few days. #COVID19

Dep of Health says it reiterates that there is no need for panic, as the fundamentals of the public health response (testing, contact tracing, isolation and quarantine) have not changed. “We all have a responsibility to adhere to prevention measures…” #COVID19

Dep of Health says travel restrictions will need to be balanced against the scientific realities in order to protect the economy. Dep says findings are urgently being processed by gov and announcements to travel regulations will be made after a consultations with Cabinet.#COVID19