New Covid-19 Variant Found In South Africa Becomes Global Concern, Countries Impose Travel Ban

The new mutant of the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19,) variant, B.1.1.529, detected in South Africa has become a global threat. Countries like the United Kingdom (U.K.,) Germany, Israel, Singapore and Japan, imposed a travel ban on South Africa.

On the 26th of November, Friday, the aforementioned countries imposed the ban, allowing only their citizens, with mandatory quarantine. The new variant, found, is a major concern for the world, especially at a time when people are being vaccinated and the world wide COVID-19 situation is under control.

The imposed travel bans on South Africa would continue until further notice.

What is the new detected variant virus and whom does it affect?

The new variant of COVID-19, B.1.1.529 is mainly affecting people under 25 years of age group. Professor Anne von Gottberg from the National Institute for Communicable Diseases said the variant had been detected in about 100 genomes so far. The concerned health expert also termed the new variant to be extremely dangerous, even after being vaccinated against the virus. The surveillance and research on the samples of the new variant is being carried out at laboratories.

In South Africa, a total of 22 positive cases of the new variant have been recorded. Confirmed cases are increasing quickly, particularly in Gauteng, North West and Limpopo.