• A new COVID-19 variant detected in South Africa and several other countries, which global health experts say may be the most mutated version of the virus found so far
• The mutation had not been detected in Sri Lanka but the health system was on alert as these mutations were fast 
• spreading globally
• The mutation may have the ability to evade COVID-19 vaccines which are currently available

By JAMILA HUSAIN

Already exhausted from the rapid spread of the Delta variant which has infected over 60,000 people in recent weeks, Sri Lanka’s health officials have gone on alert over a new COVID-19 variant detected in South Africa and several other countries, which global health experts say may be the most mutated version of the virus found so far and may have the ability to evade COVID-19 vaccines which are currently available.

Health officials told Daily Mirror that the mutation had not been detected in Sri Lanka but the health system was on alert as these mutations were fast spreading globally.

According to a new study that awaits peer review, the C.1.2 variant, detected first in South Africa, may be more infectious than all other COVID variants found so far and may have the ability to evade COVID-19 vaccines which are currently available.

In addition to South Africa, the presence of C.1.2 has also been confirmed in other countries like China, England, New Zealand, Portugal, Switzerland, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Mauritius. 

Scientists are studying whether the C.1.2 is more dangerous than the currently dominant Delta variant, and more research work was ongoing to confirm this.

• In addition to South Africa, the presence of C.1.2 has also been confirmed in other countries like China, England, New Zealand, Portugal, Switzerland, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Mauritius.