• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home Sci-tech

New COVID-19 variant expected as SA heads for a fifth wave: Prof. Abdool Karim

11 April 2022, 9:23 PM  |
SABC SABC |  @SABCNews
A medical team member takes a swab sample from a woman to be tested for the coronavirus disease [File image]

A medical team member takes a swab sample from a woman to be tested for the coronavirus disease [File image]

Image: Reuters

A medical team member takes a swab sample from a woman to be tested for the coronavirus disease [File image]

Epidemiologist Professor Salim Abdool Karim says a new COVID-19 variant should be expected as the country heads for a fifth wave. This comes as Botswana’s Ministry of Health and Wellness announced the discovery of a new COVID-19 variant.

Last week, President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the end of the National State of Disaster.

Professor Karim says while it cannot be said with certainty, based on how the virus mutates, a new variant is highly likely.

“The WHO is naming the new variants based on the Greek alphabet. So we can expect that the next variant should be called PI. How is Pi going to look like? Well, we don’t know because it doesn’t exist yet. But we can expect Pi to actually exist and to spread faster than Omicron. So if it doesn’t spread faster than Omicron it won’t be able to displace Omicron. We know it will be a faster-spreading variant – in other words, it will infect more people more quickly.”

‘Next wave in May’

Professor Karim says while it’s difficult to predict the time frame for the next wave driven by the new variant, he expects it around May.

“When it comes to timing it’s very difficult, I think we have seen in SA that there’s a roughly 3 months gap between each of our waves. If that trend continues, we can expect to see the next variant and the next wave start somewhere in the half of May.

New Omicron BA.4, BA.5 variants detected in several countries including SA: Dr Richard Lessells

Meanwhile, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases on Monday has reported 553 new COVID-19 cases that have been identified in South Africa. This brings the total number of laboratory-confirmed cases to 3 732 628.

 The increase represents a 5.0% positivity rate. The majority of new cases today are from Gauteng Province (50%), followed by Western Cape (18%).

The institute says due to the ongoing audit exercise by the National Department of Health (NDoH), there may be a backlog of COVID-19 mortality cases reported.

“Today, the NDoH reports two deaths, and of these, one occurred in the past 24 – 48 hours,“ says the institute in a statement.

This brings the total fatalities to 100 098 to date. Below are the latest coronavirus cases:

Loading...

Loading…

Share article
Tags: New COVID-19 variantFifth waveCoronavirusProfessor Salim Abdool KarimCOVID-19
Previous Post

Returning Wawrinka knocked out by Bublik in Monte Carlo opener

Next Post

Zuma’s corruption trial postponement not a surprise: Legal analyst

Related Posts

A green comet named Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF), which last passed by our planet about 50,000 years ago and is expected to be most visible to stargazers this week, is seen journeying tens of millions of miles (km) away from Earth in this telescope image taken on January 21, 2023.

Green comet to be visible from SA next week

5 February 2023, 9:50 AM
Balloons with pink ribbons representing cancer awareness.

Health MEC says cancer misinformation is a big threat in KZN

4 February 2023, 3:20 PM
The word 'cancer' highlighted through a magnifying glass

‘Early detection can significantly reduce impact and cost of cancer’

4 February 2023, 10:53 AM
[FILE IMAGE] A vial of measles, mumps and rubella vaccine and an information sheet is seen at Boston Children's Hospital in Boston.

37 measles cases confirmed in Gauteng, five in Western Cape

3 February 2023, 9:03 PM
Bottle of water

Heatwave-hit Northern Cape sees an increase in heat-related incidents

3 February 2023, 6:00 PM
Shell petrol station

Activist group accuses Shell of misleading investors on renewables

1 February 2023, 3:40 PM
Next Post
[File Image]: Former President Jacob Zuma.

Zuma's corruption trial postponement not a surprise: Legal analyst

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • Registration at Unisa closes on Friday, but management says no need to panic
  • King of Bacardi music ‘Vusi Ma R5’ killed in Soshanguve
  • Committee wants to halt planned demolition of North West hospital
  • VIDEO: Mabuza resigns as SA Deputy President
  • Shock over proposed SA sponsorship of Tottenham Hotspur
  • Parts of the Northern Cape to be exempted from rolling blackouts
  • Registration at Unisa closes on Friday, but management says no need to panic
  • VIDEO | St Benedict College’s Matric learner gets 11 distinctions
  • Limpopo matriculant from child-headed household attains diploma pass
  • Female circumcision practice thriving in Eastern Cape
  • VIDEO: Mabuza resigns as SA Deputy President
  • Budding Stellenbosch FC star reportedly stabbed to death
  • EFF vows to disrupt SONA
  • Green comet to be visible from SA next week
  • Communities in Free State continue to struggle to obtain basic services amid power cuts

LATEST

Free State Premier Sisi Ntombela.
  • Politics

Mxolisi Dukwana touted to replace Sisi Ntombela as Free State premier


Pope Francis greets people during the Holy Mass at John Garang Mausoleum, during his apostolic journey, in Juba, South Sudan, February 5, 2023.
  • Africa

Pope Francis wraps up South Sudan trip, urges end to ‘blind fury’ of violence


FILE PHOTO: Pakistan's former President, Pervez Musharraf, addresses his supporters after his arrival from Dubai at Jinnah International airport in Karachi March 24, 2013
  • World

Former Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf dies in Dubai after years in exile


Deputy President David Mabuza convenes a meeting with senior government officials at the Union Buildings in Pretoria in this picture taken on 05 December 2019.
  • Politics

Mabuza asked to remain in his role until transition finalised


File Image: Rescue workers and vehicles stand by at the scene of the Lily mine collapse near Barberton in Mpumalanga on 05 February 2016.
  • South Africa

Families of Lily Mine victims still searching for answers seven years on


A green comet named Comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF), which last passed by our planet about 50,000 years ago and is expected to be most visible to stargazers this week, is seen journeying tens of millions of miles (km) away from Earth in this telescope image taken on January 21, 2023.
  • Sci-tech

Green comet to be visible from SA next week


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2023

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous Returning Wawrinka knocked out by Bublik in Monte Carlo opener
Next Zuma’s corruption trial postponement not a surprise: Legal analyst