'No need to panic' as Covid EG.5 case recorded in SA
The South African Medical Association says there is no need for panic as South Africa confirmed its first case of the new Covid variant.
The EG.5 case has been reported in Gauteng.
The sub-variant, also known as Eris, has been recently detected in 51 countries.
The World Health Organisation released an initial risk evaluation last week, saying it poses a low public health risk based on the evidence available.
READ: New Covid variant EG.5 a concern - SAMA
"This variant is a variant of interest that is declared by the WHO but its really not an issue to be worried or even panic because even though it is easily transmissible it doesn't lead to severe symptoms," says the medical association's Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa.
"I don't think the public should panic about it, just that we need to be aware that there is a new sub-variant and on top of that, we need to remember to practice our public health measures."
