C.1.2 variant of Covid-19
- September 1, 2021
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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C.1.2 variant of Covid-19
Subject – Science and Tech
Context – C.1.2 variant of Covid-19: This variant is changing and mutating at a rapid rate within its genome which are similar to those seen in many variants of concern and variants of interest, including the Delta.
Concept –
- Scientists in South Africa recently announced that they have found a new variant of Covid-19 which is mutating at a rapid pace and can be extremely potent in evading the protection offered by antibodies.
- The National Institute for Communicable Diseases in South Africa stated that the new variant — C.1.2 — was first detected in May and has now spread to “the majority of the provinces in South Africa and in seven other countries spanning Africa, Europe, Asia and Oceania”.
- The study found that C.1.2 has “mutated substantially” in comparison to C.1 variant, which was one of the dominant lineages during the spike in infections during the first wave in South Africa.
- What sets the C.1.2 variant apart from other Covid-19 strains is the speed at which it has been mutating.
For more information on variants, please refer this – Variants of Corona Virus, Delta Variant, Kappa Variant.