South Africa confirmed on Thursday the discovery of a new coronavirus variant named "Botswana," considering it a cause for concern amid predictions that it is behind the rise in infection numbers in the country. Scientists had previously warned of a new variant of the coronavirus that poses a greater risk than its predecessors due to a significant number of mutations. The new variant has been labeled "Botswana" or "B.1.1529."
The first case of the "Botswana" variant was diagnosed in Botswana, located in southern Africa, and later, six other cases were found in neighboring South Africa. An eighth case was subsequently identified in Hong Kong, linked to a traveler returning from South Africa. South African virologist Tulio de Oliveira stated at a press conference on Thursday, "Unfortunately, we have discovered a new variant of concern in South Africa," according to AFP.
Scientists who identified the "Beta" variant in South Africa believe the "Botswana" variant has a high number of mutations, estimated at 32. At this stage, it is unknown how effective vaccines will be against this new variant of the virus that causes COVID-19. Generally, sudden mutations in viruses allow them to adapt, making them more virulent and better able to evade natural immunity and vaccines.
Researchers indicate that this variant could pose a real threat, as the 32 mutations identified in the spike protein on the surface of the coronavirus may enable it to bypass human immunity more easily and spread rapidly among people. Health Minister Joe Phaahla, who attended the scientists' press conference, suggested that the emergence of this new variant may have contributed to the "upward spike" in COVID-19 cases in recent weeks in South Africa.
South Africa, which fears a new wave of the pandemic by the end of the year, is the most affected in the continent, with over 2.9 million infections and more than 89,000 deaths recorded. The highly contagious Delta variant, first discovered in India, currently dominates the global outbreak.
