Mkhize confirms ‘concerning’ new variant of Covid-19 in SA
The Department of Health says a new variant of the Covid-19 virus has been identified.
According to Health Minister Zweli Mkhize more than 90% of the genomes sampled in the past two months were dominated by the variant.
The sampling comes from at least 50 random clinics across the country.
Mkhize said the second wave and emerging trends are likely being driven by the new lineage.
“Clinicians have been providing anecdotal evidence of the shift in the clinical, epidemiological picture and in particular noting that they are seeing a larger proportion of younger patients with no comorbidities presenting with critical illness,” Mkhize explained on Friday evening.
“The evidence that has been collated therefore suggests that the current second wave we’re experiencing is therefore being driven by this new variant.”
