And it may turn out to be a serious threat. But, at least for the moment, the hyperventilating news coverage seems to be outrunning the available science. Type "B.1.1.529" into your favorite search engine and you'll see what I mean. As of 1300 UTC Thursday, other than the report of the initial genome sequence cited in the Guardian article, you'll turn up a frenzy of what appear to be derivative news stories that appear to be feeding on each other.
Well, as of 1200hrs tomorrow Friday 26th, UKGOV has now red listed six South African countries. In practical terms, this means that anyone arriving in the UK from said countries will need to prepay and undergo 10 days of 'hotel' quarantine and those that have already entered the country within the last 10 days will, retroactively, be obliged to self-quarantine for 10 days starting tomorrow.
The Brits have, according to the Health Minister on national TV this evening, some 700 passengers a day arriving from South Africa, a number expected to increase over the Christmas holiday period. Obviously, the risk factor could not and should not be ignored. Experience dictates that these seemingly isolated discoveries can soon turn into national disasters. The UK / SPAIN experience of last year being but one example.
The oft repeated and imperative word in the minister's address was 'MAY'. No-one said it was a catastrophy. On a postive note, it should be welcomed that the health authorities are both transparent and co-operative in a free flowing exchange of information.
The post and the news article were but a heads-up.
Edit:
As of a few minutes ago, the NYT has also picked up on it.
A new variant of the coronavirus, whose mutations display a “jump in evolution,” is driving a spike in Covid infections in South Africa.
Thursday, November 25, 2021 5:23 PM EST
So far, 22 positive cases have been identified in South Africa, according to the country’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases. The variant is displaying mutations that might resist neutralization, and scientists are still unclear how effective existing vaccines will be against it...
A new variant of the coronavirus, whose mutations display a “jump in evolution,” is driving a spike in Covid infections in South Africa.