Scientists in South Africa have identified a new variant of the Coronavirus, whose mutations mark a “big jump in evolution” that is driving a spike in new cases.So far, 22 positive cases have been identified in the country, according to South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases. One case has been detected in Hong Kong from someone who had travelled from South Africa. With over 1,200 new infections, South Africa’s daily infection rate is much lower than in Germany, where new cases are driving a wave. However, the density of mutations on this new variant raises fears that it could be highly contagious, leading scientists to sound the alarm early.
