South Africa has recorded the emergence of a new COVID-19 variant that may be more transmissible than previous iterations. The UK has closed borders to the nation while Australian authorities are waiting for more information.
Only months after the emergence of the threatening Delta variant, a new variant may be on the horizon. The strain, which is currently known as B.1.1.529, was present in 22 positive cases in South Africa, according to their National Institute for Communicable Diseases.
Cases have also been identified in Hong Kong and Botswana.
Health officials are concerned that a spike protein present in the newest variant may make it more easily transmitted. The UK Health Security Agency also worries that the current COVID-19 vaccine may be less effective against this variant. However, the virus is confirmed to appear on a PCR test.
“What we do know is there’s a significant number of mutations, perhaps double the number of mutations that we have seen in the Delta variant,” said UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid.
The UK has taken “decisive precautionary action” and suspended flights from South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini.
At this stage, Australia is waiting to learn more information about the variant.
Health Minister Greg Hunt says no changes would be made to Australia’s border restrictions yet.
“The world is learning and looking [at] the strain,” the health minister said.
“If the medical advice is that we need to change [border restrictions], we won’t hesitate.”
He said that Chief Medical Officer Paul Kelly had seen “no basis for change” in border restrictions at this juncture.
No cases of the variant have yet been identified in Australia or the UK. More information is likely to come following a meeting between the World Health Organisation and South African health officials.
