New ‘worrying’ Covid strain found in South Africa is ‘more severe among young adults' - Daily Express

Named as 501.V2, the strain was detected in the country and contains a higher viral load and also, perhaps more worryingly, seems to impact young people more seriously. Such is the speed of transmission, South African scientists have stated it may be responsible for the country's second wave. South Africa's health minister, Zweli Mkhize, announced the new strain after gathering genetic examples from across the country. 

 

It is also feared the strain may now be immune to certain antibodies triggered at the start of the pandemic. 

Commenting on the strain, Dr Eric Feigl-Ding said: "New more worrisome South Africa strain: the new 501.V2 variant has troubling details as it seems to spread faster, has a higher viral load and possibly more severe among young adults."

The country's health minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize has also stated it is unclear whether any current vaccine may have an effect on 501.V2. 

With the new mutation having a higher viral load, it may be more contagious person to person. 

South African epidemiologist and infectious diseases specialist, Salim Safurdeen Abdool Karim said this week: "What we are seeing now is that the rate of increase in cases is similar as the first wave but the second wave has now over shot the peak of the first. 

"The second wave has now hit all provinces with some early signs of it spreading faster than the first wave.

"It is not clear if this second wave has more or less deaths.

"We have not seen any red flags looking at our current death information”.

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That mutation has also been discovered in the coronavirus strain currently spreading through London and the South East of England. 

Although the two strains share the same mutations, they are not thought to be linked. 

Named as VUI-202012/01, the strain of the virus in the UK is thought to be transmitted 70 percent quicker. 

It is also thought it could increase the R-rate by as much as 0.4. 

The R-rate in the UK is currently estimated at 1.1-1.2 after previously dropping to below one.  

The strain has also been located in the South Eats and London where it has spread rapidly. 

According to figures, the virus accounts for 62 percent of all infections in London, 43 percent in the South East and 59 in the East of England. 

Despite that, it is not clear whether this increases the rate of mortality or whether it will be immune from the vaccine. 

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2020-12-20 10:45:00Z
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