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New COVID-19 strain long found in Africa from patients’ samples collected

*The new Coronavirus variant adds to the growing list of new strains also found in the United Kingdom and South Africa respectively

Isola Moses | ConsumerConnect

New strains of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continue to appear around the globe, and the most recent finding was located by the Africa Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Nigeria, a report has said.

It was learnt that as much of the world begins holiday celebrations in the final days of 2020, the possible new strain could lead to even more restrictions as it is investigated by health officials.

Britain and South Africa have discovered variants of the virus in recent days as well, according to report.

However, the new African variant was discovered in two patient samples taken August 3 and October 9, 2020, in Nigeria, according to the Associated Press.

With the likelihood of many strains spreading around the world for months, the fact that viruses always mutate and create different strains has been established.

In relation to concerns being expressed over differing genetic sequences and news of a second strain in South Africa, the Africa CDC held an emergency meeting to address concerns over a possible new strain.

John Nkengasong, Head of Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said: “It’s a separate lineage from the UK and South Africa…. Give us some time … it’s still very early.”

Nkengasong as well stated that they do not believe the South African mutation will have an effect on the deployment of the COVID-19 vaccine.

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