(Fighting New Coronary Pneumonia) South Africa has found 4 confirmed cases of "B.1.617" mutant virus

  Chinanews.com, Johannesburg, May 9th (Reporter Wang Xi) On the evening of May 8th, local time in South Africa, the South African Ministry of Health confirmed through social media: South Africa has recently found 4 cases of infection with the "B.1.617" new crown pneumonia variant virus. Confirmed cases.

Data map: On February 26, local time, a new crown pneumonia virus detection site in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Photo by China News Agency reporter Wang Xi

  The "B.1.617" new coronary pneumonia variant virus was first discovered in India.

Due to the close exchanges between South Africa and India, the South African government has recently strengthened the screening of entry personnel to prevent the introduction of mutant viruses.

However, as the news of the introduction of this mutant virus was confirmed, South Africa's anti-epidemic situation, which should not be optimistic, has become more severe.

  According to the South African Ministry of Health, after investigations by relevant departments, the four patients infected with the "B.1.617" new coronary pneumonia variant virus have previously traveled to India, and these four patients have been isolated.

At the same time, the South African government is also stepping up testing for domestic or foreign citizens who have previously travelled to India or entered South Africa from India to track the specific situation of the spread of the mutant virus.

  In fact, since May 5, the number of newly diagnosed new coronary pneumonia cases in South Africa has exceeded 2,000 in a single day for 4 consecutive days, which broke the stable epidemic situation since February this year.

Especially in the Free State Province, which is the hardest hit area in South Africa, the confirmed cases have rapidly approached the 100,000 mark.

The province’s health department made it clear that “the peak of the third wave of new crown pneumonia in South Africa has arrived.”

  At present, South Africa is in the first stage, namely, the new crown pneumonia vaccination for 1 million medical workers across the country.

From the 17th of this month, the South African government will begin the second phase of vaccination work for the elderly, patients with underlying diseases and other groups.

  As of press time, the total number of confirmed cases of new coronary pneumonia in South Africa has reached 1,594,817, with 54,724 deaths.

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