* The B.1.1.529 variant has a 'very unusual constellation' of mutations and may be more resistant to the vaccine
* Likely to be officially named Nu, variant might evade the body's immune response and be more transmissible
* There are currently 77 confirmed cases in South Africa, four in Botswana, one in Hong Kong and one in Israel
* However, the real numbers are likely much higher as health authorities establish the full scale of the spread
* Britain, Israel, Singapore, Germany and Ital are among increasing countries to block flights from South Africa
* There are no direct flights to US from any of the countries except South Africa.
Early Friday morning, the CDC still listed South Africa as 'Level 1: Low Level of COVID-19' on the country's travel advice page
Scientists are growing increasingly alarmed at a new COVID-19 variant originating in Southern Africa, which on Thursday and Friday forced countries including the U.K., Israel, Italy and Germany to effectively stop travel from the region, but passengers are continuing to arrive in the U.S. Flight restrictions from South Africa to the US were lifted two weeks ago, along with restrictions on around 30 other countries.
As of 5:00 a.m. on Friday, the CDC listed South Africa as 'Level 1: Low Level of COVID-19'. The variant, B.1.1.529, is believed to have emerged in Botswana - from where there are no direct flights to the U.S. - and is also being found in neighboring South Africa.
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More News On The Newest Covid-19 Variant Discovered In South Africa
New COVID variant sparks international alarm — live updates -- DW
Live: France suspends flights from southern Africa over new Covid-19 variant -- France 24
Covid live: first European case of B.1.1.529 variant identified in Belgium -- The Guardian
World takes action as new variant emerges in southern Africa -- AP
Coronavirus: Countries shut borders over new South Africa variant -- BBC
COVID: Countries suspend travel from southern Africa over new variant -- DW
Israel warns of ‘emergency’ after detecting new virus strain -- AP
Belgium Confirms Case of New Virus Strain in Person From Abroad -- Bloomberg
COVID-19 variant described as 'worst one yet' emerges in South Africa, prompting UK to ban travel from six countries -- ABC News Australia
South African scientists detect new virus variant amid spike -- AP
Scientists in South Africa detect new Covid-19 variant that poses ‘major threat’ -- France 24
WHO meets to discuss new, ‘heavily mutated’ COVID-19 variant -- FOX News
WHO to assess new highly mutated Covid-19 variant as countries ramp up health checks -- The Guardian
WHO hosts special meeting on worrying new COVID-19 variant -- AP
Is it vaccine resistant? What scientists know of new Covid variant -- The Guardian
New Covid variant: How worried should we be? -- BBC
EXPLAINER: What is this new COVID variant in South Africa? -- AP
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