SA on lookout for new Covid variant

THE National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD), a division of the National Health Laboratory Service, continues to monitor Covid-19 trends both nationally and abroad as the threat of a third wave looms large.

This comes as India is now the epicentre of the global health pandemic, following a resurgence of cases attributed in part to the circulation of different variants, including the B.1.617 coronavirus variant.

“The institution has tremendous empathy for the dire situation that is unfolding in India and we would like to reassure the South African public that we are keeping a close eye on developments,” said NICD acting executive director, Professor Adrian Puren.

According to the NICD, to date, the B.1.617 variant has not been detected in South Africa and any suspected cases will be investigated.

“Testing of Covid-19 positive samples from travellers entering South

Africa from India and their close contacts will be prioritised,” said the NICD’s head of Public Health Surveillance and Response, Dr Michelle Groome.

“This will enable us to detect the B.1.617 and any other variants in a timely manner.”

Meanwhile, the Department of Health is considering tightening travel restrictions on India. Although the B.1.617 variant has not yet been detected in South Africa, two separate incidents involving positive Covid-19 cases registered with Indian travellers have heightened concerns.

The department confirmed that three travellers – who travelled via Doha to King Shaka International Airport aboard Qatar Airlines – had tested positive for Covid-19. One patient was admitted to hospital while the other two are asymptomatic and in isolation.

“We wish to reassure citizens that there are no direct flights from India and that all our ports of entry employ stringent containment procedures to minimise the importation of Covid-19,” said Health Minister Zweli Mkhize.

“We are currently on high alert to screen passengers and test those who require further assessment … we have also consulted the Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC) to advise us on the approach to the management of travellers from countries that have epidemics driven by variants of concern,” he said.

At the same time, the Gauteng Department of Health raised concerns about a notable surge in new infections in various districts of the province.

Sedibeng, and sub-districts of Emfuleni, Tshwane, and Johannesburg have been particularly hit the hardest in the past few weeks.

By the end of this week, the total number of confirmed cases in Gauteng sat at nearly 426 000 with 411 415 recoveries and over 10 700 deaths recorded.

A total of 1 369 people were currently hospitalised in the public and private facilities.