New COVID Variant Found In South Africa Has Concerning Number Of Mutations

Scientists in South Africa said they've identified yet another coronavirus variant with a concerning number of mutations.

Bloomberg.com reports the C.1.2. variant was initially identified in the South African provinces of Mpumalanga and Gauteng and has since been spotted in other countries in Africa, as well as Oceania, Asia and Europe, according to a research paper conducted by scientists.

The mutations of the new variant “are associated with increased transmissibility" and an increased ability to evade antibodies, the scientists stated in the research paper via Bloomberg. “It is important to highlight this lineage given its concerning constellation of mutations.”

The news comes amid the nationwide spread of the delta variant, which the CDC has referred to as "highly contagious, likely to be more severe," in the United States.

Earlier this month, CNN reported every age group under 50 has now surpassed its previous record for hospitalizations, which was set during the first half of January 2021, according to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The biggest increase reported was among adults between the ages of 30 and 39, as well as children under 18, with both spiking more than 30% from their previous peak, according to CDC data.

The rate for all ages is still, however, lower than the previous high reported in January, but is currently on pace to reach a new record high within a month, with an average of more than 11,000 new hospital admissions for COVID-19 reported during the past week.

The CDC reports the individuals at risk for experiencing severe illness and hospitalization are unvaccinated, yet only 51% of the American population is fully vaccinated against the coronavirus.