5 Things To Know About New Coronavirus Variant B.1.1.529
NDTV
On Thursday the Union Health Ministry called for rigorous screening of passengers from these three countries, as well as their contacts of these travellers
A new coronavirus variant - B.1.1.529 - has been red-flagged by scientists worldwide over an alarmingly high number of spike mutations that might make the virus more resistant to vaccines, increase its transmissibility and lead to more severe Covid symptoms.
First identified in South Africa at the start of this week, the strain has already spread to neighbouring countries, including Botswana, where it has been detected in fully vaccinated people.
Two cases have also been detected in Hong Kong - where two travellers arriving from parts of southern Africa had been quarantined, in line with local laws, in separate rooms.
