A new potential SARS-CoV-2 variant of interest has been identified in South Africa. According to the Network for Genomic Surveillance in South Africa (NGS-SA) C.1.2 is a newly identified variant of SARS-CoV-2 with some mutations of interest and concern.
They said that, “Work is ongoing to determine the functional impact of these mutations. We are continuing to monitor C.1.2 closely through genomic surveillance.”
The C.1.2 variant was detected through genomic surveillance of the virus during the country’s third wave of infections. It has been detected in seven provinces in South Africa, including: Eastern Cape, Gauteng, Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Northern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.
Variants of interest have undergone genetic changes that may allow it to be more easily transmittable, cause more severe illnesses or reduce the effectiveness of treatment among other factors.
It becomes a variant of concern if there is increasing evidence that it fulfills at least one of the above criteria.
Sources: MSN
Follow FiND iT on Facebook here.
