The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared a new coronavirus variant to be "of concern" and named it Omicron.
WHERE AND WHEN WAS NEW VARIANT FOUND?
South African scientists detected a small number of the variant - called B.1.1.529 - on Tuesday (Nov 23), in samples from Nov 14 to 16.
On Wednesday South African scientists sequenced more genomes, informed the government that they were concerned and asked the World Health Organization (WHO) to convene its technical working group on virus evolution for Friday.
The country has identified around 100 cases of the variant, mostly from its most populated province, Gauteng.
It had a large number of mutations, and early evidence suggested an increased reinfection risk, the WHO said.
It was first reported to the WHO from South Africa on 24 November, and has also been identified in Botswana, Belgium, Hong Kong and Israel.
A number of countries around the world have now decided to ban or restrict travel to and from southern Africa.
ABOUT THE NEW VARIANT THAT IS WORRYING SCIENTIST
All viruses - including COVOID-19 change over time. Scientist found that the new variant has more than 30 mutations of the spike protein that viruses use to get into human cells.
South African scientists say some of the mutations are associated with resistance to neutralising antibodies and enhanced transmissibility, but others are not well understood, so its full significance is not yet clear.
More test it needed before concluding whether it is more transmissible, infectious or can evade vaccines. Research and study of the newly named variant Omicron will take a few weeks and according to the World Health Organization's technical lead on COVID-19, Maria van Kerkhove, said on Thursday. In the meantime, vaccines remain a critical tool to contain the virus.
No unusual symptoms have been reported following infection with the B.1.1.529 variant and, as with other variants some individuals are asymptomatic, South Africa's NICD said.
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