They begin to take measures for the new variant of covid-19 in South Africa 2:37
(CNN) -
The World Health Organization (WHO) has urged the public to continue using protective measures against covid-19, as it will take "a few weeks" to know the details about the new variant of the coronavirus that is found in South Africa.
The South African National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) said it had notified the WHO earlier this week about the new coronavirus 'lineage'.
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"Let the experts work on this," WHO spokesman Christian Lindmeier said at a press conference on Friday. "This will take a few weeks to know exactly the details of this variant, the transmissibility, how contagious it is, etc. ,.
The new variant
The coronavirus variant B.1,1.529 was identified two weeks ago, according to Lindmeier, and has been reported in patients in South Africa and Israel.
On Friday, the WHO will hold a meeting to decide whether the variant will be considered "of interest or concern" and to "share more guidance for the government on what actions they can take."
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Several countries around the world have begun to impose travel restrictions on countries in southern Africa due to concerns about the spread of the new variant.
Lindmeier said that "WHO recommends that countries continue to apply a scientific and risk-based approach to implementing travel measures," adding that people should continue to wear masks, avoid large gatherings and ventilate indoor spaces.
Sublineage of delta variant found in Israel 0:46
South Africa variant coronavirus