What do we know about the new Covid variant?
There are concerns it might be more transmissible
Last updated 27th May 2022
There's a new Covid variant and there are concerns that it might be more transmissible and that current vaccines might be less likely to be effective in fighting it.
The B.1.1.529 variant has been described by Health Secretary Sajid Javid as of 'huge international concern' but he also admitted there is a huge amount we don't know yet.
So what DO we know and how far is the new variant likely to have spread already?
Everything we know so far about the new variant of Covid
What is the B.1.1.529 variant?
A new B.1.1.529 Covid variant has been discovered, scientists say it has a large number of mutations on the original virus which could make it highly transmissible and make current vaccines less effective.
What are the mutations?
There's still a lot of research to be done on this variant as it's only recently been discovered, but Professor Glenda Gray, president and chief executive of the South African Medical Research Council has said the variant was showing between 26 and 32 changes in the spike protein of the virus and 45 amino acid changes.
Where is it?
The first cases are believed to have been reported in Botswana, but most have been reported in South Africa, with cases spreading amongst young people in Gauteng, a province with a population of over 15 million. There have also been cases reported in Hong Kong and Israel.
Have cases been found in the UK?
In a briefing to parliament, on the 26th November Health Secretary Sajid Javid said that are no cases had been found in the UK yet.
What is the UK's reaction?
UK Health Secretary Sajid Javid said from 12:00 pm on Friday 26 November, six African countries will be placed on the 'red list'. Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini, Zimbabwe and South Africa all have travel restrictions imposed.
What happens to people returning from South Africa?
From 4am on Sunday 29 November, passengers arriving into the UK from the 6 red-listed countries will have to book and pay for a Government-approved hotel quarantine for 10 days.
What action does the rest of the world take?
Ursula von der Leyen, European Commission President, says the EU will also impose sanctions. She says "The EU will propose, in close co-ordination with member states, to activate the emergency brake to stop air travel from the southern African region due to the variant of concern B. 1.1.529."
France, Italy, Germany, Czech Republic and Israel restrict travel from South Africa, with Japan and Singapore doing the same.
What are the next steps?
An emergency World Health Organisation (WHO) meeting is held to discuss the rapidly spreading new coronavirus variant in South Africa. The WHO says it will issue new guidance, but warn it could take weeks to determine how transmissible it is, and whether vaccines are effective against it.
How do I protect myself from the new Covid variant?
The advice from the governemnt is to make sure you're fully vaccinated and if you're eligible get the booster jab.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: "We must continue to act with caution and do all we can to keep this virus at bay, including once you're eligible getting your booster shot.
"We've already given over 16 million booster shots. The booster jab was already important before we knew about this variant, but now it could not be more important."
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