[WATCH] Govt on alert for yet another Covid variant
Deputy director-general at the Department of Health Dr Anban Pillay says government is on the lookout for another emerging variant of the Covid-19 virus.
The variant, known as the Eta variant, is emerging in Gauteng and the Western Cape.
Pillay addressed Parliament’s health commitee on Wednesday.
“I draw your attention to the Eta variant, which is in the pink colour and that is emerging in some provinces. I will give you a provincial breakdown just now. But very clearly that is another variant to watch.
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"Moving to the Western Cape you can see the Delta variant again increasing and displacing out the Beta variant.
"What is interesting in the Western Cape is the pink area that reflects the Eta variant at this stage, it doesn’t seem to be as dominant as the Delta variant. We obviously must watch this. This increase is attributed to the Delta variant as well.”
WATCH: Dr Anban Pillay says government is on the lookout for another emerging variant of the Covid-19 virus. Video: @JacaNews pic.twitter.com/f5WY4I6Io6
— ECR_Newswatch (@ECR_Newswatch) July 1, 2021
The Delta variant, which was first detected in India, is the most dominant variant in the country at present and responsible for the surging Covid-19 numbers, especially in Gauteng.
This new variant, which is also responsible for the rapidly increasing numbers in KwaZulu-Natal, has been detected in six districts.
