South Africa’s second wave is driven by mutant Covid-19 strain similar to UK’s: New variant is more contagious and is more prevalent among young people
Cases in South Africa have spiked from 3,000 aan 9,500 per day in three weeks
Health officials believe it is driven by a Covid-19 variant similar to Britain’s strain
As in the UK, the new strain is thought to be affecting younger people more
South Africa is suffering a powerful second wave of Covid-19 caused by a new strain of the disease similar to the British variant which is feared to be more infectious and cause more sickness among younger people.
Cases in South Africa have risen from fewer than 3,000 a day at the start of December to more than 9,500 a day as of Tuesday, apparently driven by a variant called 501.V2 which has now been detected in Britain as well.
South Africa currently has more than 8,500 people hospitalised with Covid-19, surpassing the previous high of 8,300 recorded in August.
As in Britain, the new strain is thought to be affecting young people more than previous variants, and health experts say there are ‘quite a few similarities between the two mutations’.