WHO to meet on Friday to assess new Covid-19 variant detected in South Africa

Friday, 26 November 2021Newsdesk

The World Health Organisation is monitoring the new coronavirus variant B.1.1.529 first detected in South Africa and will hold a “special meeting” on Friday to discuss if the heavily mutated strain will become a variant of interest or a variant of concern, a top official said.

New Delhi, 26 November 2021

As per news report of The Indian Express, The latest variant is the most heavily mutated version discovered so far. First identified in South Africa at the start of this week, the strain has already spread to neighbouring countries, including Botswana, where it has been reportedly detected in fully vaccinated people. The new variant has been red-flagged by scientists over an alarmingly high number of spike mutations that might make the virus more resistant to vaccines, increase its transmissibility and lead to more severe COVID-19 symptoms.

Source -The Indian Express