South Africa Claims New Coronavirus Strain in the Country isn’t More Dangerous


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When the UK reported a variant of the Covid-19 virus discovered within their country, the entire world was alarmed.

It was said to be more contagious and has 17 different mutations, with a few even changing the spike protein of the virus.

It resulted in the suspension of travel to the UK, as well as the closing of borders to people travelling from the country.

Well, it’s not just the UK who’s discovered a new cousin of Covid-19.

South Africa Claims New Coronavirus Strain in the Country isn’t More Dangerous

On 24 Dec 2020, South Africa’s health minister, Zwelini Mkhize, publicly dismissed claims of the new variant of Covid-19 detected in his country, 501.V2, as being more dangerous and more infectious than the one found in the UK or any other variant found around the world.

“At present, there is no evidence that the 501.V2 (variant) is more transmissible than the United Kingdom variant – as suggested by the British Health Secretary.”

“There is also no evidence that (it) causes more severe disease or increased mortality than the UK variant or any variant that has been sequenced around the world.”

Nothing To Do With UK’s New Wave Of Infections

He went on to add that the British Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, had tried to pin the new UK variant on South Africa.

On 24 Dec 2020, it was reported that two cases of the 501.V2 strain were detected in travellers who arrived in Britain from South Africa.

When Mr Hancock announced travel restrictions against South Africa, he said that the variant discovered in South Africa seems to have become “more transmissible” and has “mutated further” compared to the one in the UK.

His words, Mr Mkhize says, sought to “create a perception” that South Africa’s variant of the virus contributed greatly to the UK’s second wave of infections.

That is not correct, he asserts.

He pointed out that the UK’s variant had appeared in south-eastern county Kent about a month before South Africa’s variant was developed.

He also pointed out that banning travel between the UK and South Africa is “unfortunate”.

The ban on travellers from South Africa (with the exception of British and Irish Nationals, visa holders and permanent residents) started on 24 Dec 2020 at 9am.

According to John Hopkin’s interactive map, as of the time of writing, South Africa has 983,359 reported Covid-19 cases with 26, 276 deaths related to Covid-19.

Meanwhile, in local news, Singapore has amended the entry requirements for travellers from South Korea on 24 Dec 2020.

In view of the Covid-19 situation in the land of oppas and noonas, travellers from South Korea will have to serve their 14-day Stay-Home-Notice (SHN) at dedicated facilities instead of at suitable residences.


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