The new variant of COVID-19 Omicron B.1.1.529 more infectious than Delta
South Africa is in the early days of the New variant of covid-19 and the confirmed cases are still mostly concentrated in one province of SA, but there are hints it may have spread further. There is also a growing concern that this variant is airborne.
The latest variant is the most incredibly heavily mutated version discovered so far and is described by scientists as horrific and the worst variant seen by far, this also means that the vaccines which were designed using the original strain from Wuhan, may not be as effective.
The new Coronavirus variant is called B.1.1.529 and has been named Omicron and has been red-flagged by scientists over an alarmingly high number of spike mutations which may cause an increase in transmissibility and lead to more severe symptoms.
There are only speculations as to the origin of the virus but it is likely evolved during chronic infection of an immuno-compromised person, possibly in an untreated HIV/ AIDS patient. South Africa has 8.2 million people infected with HIV, the most in the world. The beta variant, a mutation identified last year in South Africa, also may have come from an HIV-infected person.
More countries are tightening their travel restrictions after the mutated Coronavirus variant was identified. The UK and Singapore are among those rushing in stricter quarantine measures or banning flights from South Africa and 6 neighbouring countries.
The EU is proposing to ban flights from the region across the whole bloc. France suspends all flights coming from southern Africa for 48 hours. Australia said it wouldn’t rule out tightening border rules for travelers from southern Africa if the situation escalates, while India stepped up screening of incoming travelers from South Africa, Botswana, and Hong Kong.
News of the new variant roiled markets on Friday, with travel-related stocks in Asia among the biggest decliners as investors anticipated the negative impact it will have on travel.
Indian stock markets fell sharply today in tandem with a similar selloff in other Asian markets over fears of a new South Africa COVID-19 variant that could be more infectious than Delta. The Sensex fell about 1700 points to settle at 57,107 while Nifty slumped about 3% to 17,026. Just two stocks – Nestle and Dr. Reddy’s – among the Sensex 30 pack ended in the green.
The Union Health Ministry of India called for rigorous screening of passengers from South Africa, Botswana, and Hong Kong, as well as their contacts. “This variant has serious public health implications in view of recently relaxed visa restrictions and opening of international travel,” the Ministry said.
Scientists still have much to learn about the variant but say they are very worried about it. Lack of any further know-how of the spread and vaccination of the dangerously mutated COVID-19, the question arises, is the world back to square one from where it started in Dec-’19?
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