Article by: Dumisane Dube
A more transmissive and deadlier B.1.617 strain has been discovered in India, which has been attributed to record high deaths and transmissions in the country.
This has also alarmed the health authorities in South Africa.
Professor Adrian Puren, the National Infection Communicable Diseases; NICD’s acting executive director, says the NICD is closely monitoring the situation happening in India.
The NICD says the B.1.617 variant that is causing chaos in India has not been detected in South Africa.
Head of the Division of Public Health Surveillance and Response, Dr Michelle Groome, says the institution will keep a close eye on travelers between South Africa and India.
“Testing of Covid-19 positive samples from travelers entering South Africa from India and their close contacts will be prioritized,” added Groome.
The institution says that suspected cases of the variant in India will be investigated.
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