عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
World

South Africa Experiencing a New COVID-19 Strain

South Africa is experiencing a new variant of the coronavirus that is driving a second wave of infections. (Reuters)
South Africa is experiencing a new variant of the coronavirus that is driving a second wave of infections. (Reuters)
TT
20
TT

South Africa Experiencing a New COVID-19 Strain

South Africa is experiencing a new variant of the coronavirus that is driving a second wave of infections. (Reuters)
South Africa is experiencing a new variant of the coronavirus that is driving a second wave of infections. (Reuters)

South Africa is experiencing a new variant of the coronavirus that is driving a second wave of infections, the health minister said on Friday.

"We have convened this public briefing today to announce that a variant of the SARS-COV-2 Virus - currently termed 501.V2 Variant - has been identified by our genomics scientists here in South Africa," Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize tweeted.

"The evidence that has been collated, therefore, strongly suggests that the current second wave we are experiencing is being driven by this new variant," Mkhize added.

The World Health Organization said on Monday it was aware of a new variant of COVID-19 had emerged in Britain, but there was no evidence showing the strain behaved differently to existing types of the virus.

South Africa has recorded the highest number of coronavirus infections on the African continent, approaching the 900,000 mark, with over 20,000 related deaths. A resurgence in positive cases saw government tighten lockdown restrictions this week.

Most Viewed

 
World

Iran Does Not Want Conflict with Israel to Expand but Will Defend Itself, FM Says

Concrete and rubble fall from a heavily damaged building as Israeli soldiers search for survivors in a residential area hit by a missile fired from Iran, near Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, June 15, 2025.(AP)
Concrete and rubble fall from a heavily damaged building as Israeli soldiers search for survivors in a residential area hit by a missile fired from Iran, near Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, June 15, 2025.(AP)
TT
20
TT

Iran Does Not Want Conflict with Israel to Expand but Will Defend Itself, FM Says

Concrete and rubble fall from a heavily damaged building as Israeli soldiers search for survivors in a residential area hit by a missile fired from Iran, near Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, June 15, 2025.(AP)
Concrete and rubble fall from a heavily damaged building as Israeli soldiers search for survivors in a residential area hit by a missile fired from Iran, near Tel Aviv, Israel, Sunday, June 15, 2025.(AP)

Iran does not want its conflict with Israel to expand to neighboring countries unless the situation is forced, Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said on Sunday, adding its response had been based on self-defense.

Araqchi said Tehran had been responding to foreign aggression, and that if this aggression stopped, Iranian reactions would also cease.

The foreign minister said the Israeli strikes on the offshore South Pars gas field Iran shares with Qatar were "a blatant aggression and a very dangerous act".

"Dragging the conflict to the Gulf is a strategic mistake, and its aim is to drag the war beyond Iranian territory," he said.

The foreign minister accused Israel of seeking to sabotage ongoing Iran-US nuclear talks, which according to him could have opened the way for an agreement.

Tehran was set to present a proposal this Sunday during a sixth round of talks, which were cancelled following recent escalations.

"Israel's attack would never have happened without the US green light and support," Araqchi said, adding Tehran does not believe American statements that Washington had taken no part in recent attacks.

"It is necessary for the United States to condemn Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities if they want to prove their goodwill."