Health experts worried about high mutations in new COVID-19 variant

A new COVID-19 variant originally found in Botswana, and now present in South Africa and Hong Kong, is causing concern among health experts due to its unusually high level of mutations.

“This is quite a concern globally, and also it is quite a concern, especially in the southern part of the [African] continent,” said Dr. Nicksy Gumede-Moeletsi, a virologist for the World Health Organization's regional office in Africa.

Impacts on infectiousness: The new variant, known as B.1.1529, has over 30 mutations in the spike protein. Professor Francois Balloux, director of the UCL Genetics Institute in the United Kingdom, said in a statement the variant carries “an unusual constellation of mutations” and “likely evolved during a chronic infection of an immunocompromised person, possibly in an untreated HIV/AIDS patient.”

These mutations might have implications for how infectious it is, said Gumede-Moeletsi. “It might even make it harder for the immune cells to be able to detect the virus,” she said.

Gumede-Moeletsi said she is concerned this variant is emerging in the lead-up to the holiday season, when people cross borders to visit family. Last year, a new variant was also reported in South Africa right before the holidays.

Tulio de Oliveira, director of the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation in South Africa said the variant has “rapidly increased” in Gauteng province, where Johannesburg is located, and “may already be present in most provinces” in the country.

‘No need to panic’: Health officials say more information is needed to know the significance of these mutations. South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases tweeted: “Viruses change through mutation, and new variants of a virus like the novel coronavirus are expected to occur over time. There is therefore no need to panic.”