South Africa may see “many more cases” in the new wave than it experienced earlier this year, Abdool Karim said. Prof Ian Sanne, a member of the MAC, said the variant detected in South Africa was not the same as that identified in the UK. Five countries, including Switzerland and Germany, have banned flights from South Africa to stop the spread of the variant. South Africa has recorded 931,000 cases of Covid-19, with almost 25,000 deaths, according to official statistics. Student parties blamed as South Africa braces for Covid second wave Read moreSouth Africa has more than 8,500 people being treated in hospital with Covid-19, surpassing the previous high of 8,300 recorded in August.

Source: The Guardian December 22, 2020 17:01 UTC