WHO lauds SA’s speed in reporting new virus variant

The World Health Organization commended South African health officials for quickly reporting the discovery of a concerning new coronavirus variant, a decision that was swiftly met by travel bans from the U.K., Germany and others. Picture: BLOOMBERG

Scientists on Thursday said they are studying a recently identified strain with a worrying number of mutations. Virologists in the country have detected almost 100 cases to date, with research under way as to how transmissible it may be and whether it will prove resistant to vaccines. The praise will come as scant consolation to those forced to cancel trips to see families over the holiday season or South African business owners desperate for tourism to return to the country. The travel bans have drawn ire from local officials due to the early stage of the research into the variant, which may yet prove less lethal than feared.

“Countries can do a lot to work on surveillance, on sequencing and collaborate with the affected countries,” Lindmeier said.

Stupidity rules at the moment. One press conference for likes and retweets has devastated a whole country, people,livelihoods. Common sense is a super power these days...

Their praise doesn’t pay the bills

We need a government with common sense...what has reporting helped us with? Stocks have plummeted, some businesses will close again and honestly the world will keep spinning the sun will keep rising and uptake of vax will still be low

Bayaphapha laba

Devastating to SA!....the announcement should have been managed a bit better, but the response from the international community is truely disgraceful.

At what cost to South Africa and neighbouring countries? Stupid move by Joe and scientists.

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