Highly-infectious mutant South African strain of coronavirus is detected in Australia for the first time
- New variants of Covid-19 have been recorded in South Africa and the UK
- They are more infectious – but there is no evidence they cause worse symptoms
- Several cases of the UK variants have been detected in NSW hotel quarantine
- Now a case of the South African variant has been found in Queensland hotel
A South African mutation of coronavirus has been recorded in Australia for the first time.
Queensland Health Minister Yvette D’Ath said a returned traveller in hotel quarantine in Brisbane tested positive with the new strain on Monday.
Two new Covid-19 variants detected in Britain and South Africa appear to be more infectious – but there is no evidence they cause worse symptoms.
A South African mutation of coronavirus has been recorded in Australia for the first time. Pictured: Cape Town, South Africa on Sunday
Ms D’Arth said there was no danger to the public.
‘We have seen other jurisdictions record a UK variant. But this is the first time the South African one has been identified in Australia,’ she said.
‘The positive news – the good news about this individual – is that they were in hotel quarantine at the time they were tested and they have since been transferred to a hospital, and we are absolutely confident that all proper measures were taken at the hotel, and in the transfer, and of course at the hospital in relation to this positive case.’
The South African variant, referred to as 501.V2, was discovered by a network of scientists around the country who have been tracking the genetics of the virus.
The variant appears to be focused in the south and southeast of the country and has been dominating findings from samples collected since October.
British Health Minister Matt Hancock said that the variant was more transmissible, and it appears to have mutated further than the UK’s mutation.
Scientists say there is no evidence vaccines will not work with the variants.
South Africa’s total coronavirus infections since the first case in March crossed a million on Sunday, its Health Ministry said.
South African Minister of the Police Bheki Cele in Cape Town on Sunday
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