South Africa Faces Mutant Strain Of COVID-19

South Africa is among the countries that finds itself on high alert as a result of new strains of the COVID-19 coronavirus. 

The 501.v2 variant is driving the second wave of infections in South Africa, prompting several countries to close their border to travellers, including Mauritius, Switzerland, Turkey, Germany, Israel and Saudi Arabia. 

According to the authorities, the new strain is not the same one as the one identified in the UK, which the country’s Prime Minister has warned is potentially 70% more transmissible than existing strains. 

However, there are concerns that the 501.v2 variant contains a higher viral load which may be impacting young people more severely.  

Infections had been on the decrease in recent months but, as with many countries, the second wave has seen a resurgence. 

Private hospitals in South Africa have already warned that they are now facing severe capacity constraints as a result of the increase in cases. 

To date there have been 921,922 confirmed coronavirus infections in South Africa. There are more than 8,500 people in hospital with COVID-19, which is higher than the previous peak of 8,300 recorded in August. 24,907 have been recorded so far.