The new variant is 50% more contagious, said epidemiologist Professor Salim Abdul Karim, co-chair of the scientific
According to him, the South African optionThe 501Y.V2 coronavirus, discovered at the end of 2020, binds more easily and strongly to human cells, making it more infectious. At the same time, Abdula Karim did not confirm that the new strain causes a more severe course of the disease.
The South African authorities announced on December 21 that thethe country, the second wave of the pandemic is caused by the mutation of the coronavirus 501.V2. The mutated virus was discovered last October in the south of the country in Nelson Mandela Bay County in the Eastern Cape province on the Indian Ocean coast. According to local scientists, the new strain mainly affects young people.
Epidemiologist Abdul Karim said it was not yet known whether the vaccines developed were effective against the new variant of the virus, with studies currently underway.
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