New Covid-19 variant detected in SA 'no reason for concern'
The National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) has called on the elderly and vulnerable to continue to adhere to Covid-19 regulations and vaccinate.
Samples of a new variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, known as JN.1, and identified as the driver behind a spike in Covid cases in the US and Europe have been confirmed in samples from South Africa.
JN.1 cases were originally counted and tracked as part of BA.2.86 cases but have taken off in multiple countries.
The NICD's Adrian Puren says there is no reason to panic.
"The virus is continuously evolving, and we will see new variants, although its variants of concern from the World Health Organisation perspective, including their assessment, is that there is no need to panic as it is not causing any harm with more severe diseases leading to great hospitalisation or death. Obviously, we still recommend in the old age groups that vaccinations be done to protect those who are at risk.”
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