Scientists discover new Covid variant in South AfricaSeptember 1, 2021 - 18:21 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Scientists in South Africa have detected a new coronavirus variant with multiple mutations, but they have yet to establish whether it is more contagious or if it can overcome immunity provided by vaccines or prior infection, RFI reports. The new variant, known as C.1.2, was first detected in May and caught scientists' attention because it mutates almost twice as fast other variants. Researchers, in a preprint study that has yet to be peer reviewed, say it evolved from one of the lineages that dominated the first Covid wave in South Africa, last detected in January 2021. C.1.2 has mutations associated in other variants with increased transmissibility, as well as a reduced sensitivity to Covid antibodies. But it is not yet clear on how the mutations affect the behaviour of the virus, and laboratory tests are underway. Richard Lessells, one of the study's authors, said C.1.2 may have more immune evasion properties than Delta, the predominant variant in the world currently, and that the findings had been flagged to the World Health Organisation. Photo. AP Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Concept to complete Yerevan Cascade discussed at city hall A conceptual proposal to complete the Cascade complex in downtown Yerevan has been presented by Jean-Michel Wilmotte. Pashinyan visits flood-hit region Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Saturday, June 8 visited the disaster area in the Lori province. €3.5 mln EU grant to support justice reforms in Armenia The European Union has paid €3.5 mln grant to Armenia within a €11mln program on Support to Justice Reforms. Yerevan reacts to Baku’s proposal to see Minsk Group abolition Alen Simonyan has declared that Armenia is taking steps aimed at concluding a peace treaty with Azerbaijan. |