What we know about the Covid variant detected in South Africa

Global authorities have reacted with alarm to a coronavirus variant detected in South Africa, with the EU, Britain, and India among those announcing stricter border controls as scientists seek to determine if the mutation is vaccine-resistant.

Where and when was new variant found?

South African scientists detected a small number of the variant - called B.1.1.529 - on Tuesday, in samples from Nov 14-16.

On Wednesday, South African scientists sequenced more genomes, informed the government they were concerned, and asked the World Health Organisation to convene its technical working group on virus evolution for today.

The country has identified around 100 cases of the variant, mostly from...