COVID-19 variant in small numbers and are working to understand its potential implications, they said on Thursday.The variant – called B.1.1.529 – has a “very unusual constellation” of mutations, which are concerning because they could help it evade the body’s immune response and make it more transmissible, scientists told reporters at a news conference.
What is the new COVID-19 mutation known as ‘Delta plus’? Here’s what we know Early signs from diagnostic laboratories suggest the variant has rapidly increased in the most populated province of Gauteng and may already be present in the country’s other eight provinces, they said.South Africa has confirmed around 100 specimens as B.1.1.529, but the variant has also been found in Botswana.