The new COVID-19(B.1.1.529) variant was first reported to the World Health Organisation from South Africa on the 24 November 2021. The situation in South Africa has been sumed up by three distinct peaks in reported cases, the latest of which was predominantly the Delta variant. In recent weeks, infections have increased heavily, relating with the detection of B.1.1.529 variant. The first known confirmed B.1.1.529 infection was from a specimen collected on 9 November 2021.
This variant has a large number of mutations, some of which are concerning. Preliminary evidence suggests an increased risk of reinfection with this variant. The number of cases of this variant appears to be increasing in almost all of South Africa. Several labs have indicated that for one widely used PCR test, one of the three target genes is not detected (called S gene dropout or S gene target failure) and this test can therefore be used as marker for this variant, pending sequencing confirmation. Using this approach, this variant has been detected at faster rates than previous surges in infection, suggesting that this variant may have a growth advantage.
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