
A new Covid-19 variant with high number of mutations sparks travel bans and worries scientists
CNN
The discovery of a new coronavirus variant by South African health authorities has sparked a swift and forceful reaction a cross the world with a number of countries banning travelers from several southern African countries.
The newly identified variant, currently known as B.1.1.529, appears to be spreading rapidly in parts of South Africa and scientists are concerned that its unusually high number of mutations could make it more transmissible and result in immune evasion.
"Initially it looked like some cluster outbreaks, but from yesterday, the indication came from our scientists from the Network of Genomic Surveillance that they were observing a new variant," Minister of Health Joe Phaahla said Thursday, stressing that it is currently unclear where the variant first emerged.