New Covid-19 variant Pi may spread faster than Omicron – Expert
APA-Durban The new wave of Covid-19 infections in South Africa may be driven by a new variant known as Pi and could spread faster than Omicron, University of KwaZulu-Natal public health specialist Ozayr Mahomed said on Monday. Mahomed said South Africa“ should brace for high number of infections as the fifth wave of Covid-19 had started” in the country.
APA-Durban (South Africa) The new wave of Covid-19 infections in South Africa may be driven by a new variant known as Pi and could spread faster than Omicron, University of KwaZulu-Natal public health specialist Ozayr Mahomed said on Monday.
Mahomed said South Africa “should brace for high number of infections as the fifth wave of Covid-19 had started” in the country.
“We are also faced with the impending influenza season that will superimpose on this wave,” the expert said.
He said research has shown that the fifth Covid-19 wave “will be driven by a new variant, Pi, that will spread faster than Omicron and infect more people quicker.”
The ministry of health has, however, not yet declared the country as undergoing a fifth wave of the pandemic.
More than 50% of the 5,486 new Covid-19 cases on Sunday were recorded in Gauteng province while KwaZulu-Natal, which has the lowest rate of vaccinations in the country, recorded 1,452 new infections.
Mahomed said that although vaccinations would not completely prevent disease, they would reduce severe disease and remained the best ammunition.
“A concerted call goes out to all eligible people to vaccinate and encourage others to do so. This will reduce hospitalisations and the economic impact in the country,” Mahomed said.