Easter Holidays could see spike in COVID-19 infections warns Prof. Karim
Professor Abdool Karim says he's worried the upcoming Easter period could result in spiralling COVID-19 infections.
The leading epidemiologist and infectious disease specialist is the co-chair of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Covid-19.
He says a renewed effort of following the coronavirus health protocols is needed from all of us if we want to keep the current low transmission rate.
"I would encourage families to gather very carefully, with all the precautions to keep the numbers low and to do so voluntarily.
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"I'm concerned that it's become some complacency under level one. People seem to be dropping their masks down to their chins and that's why we ensure to keep our vigilance."
At the same time, India says it's detected what it's describing as a “double mutant variant” of the novel coronavirus.
The country's health ministry says genomic sequencing and analysis was carried out on samples with mutations from Maharashtra.
But Professor Karim says the description is not accurate.
"So this seems to be a common occurrence across the world and now it's being reported in India as well.
"I don't know why they chose a funny language but it's not a double variant, that is an incorrect use of language. It's a variant that has many mutations two of which are in the receptor-binding domain."
