What’s known and unknown about the coronavirus variant identified in South Africa
Scientists in South Africa have identified a new coronavirus variant with a worrisome combination of mutations that experts fear could make it more transmissible and allow it to evade immune protection — including the protection generated by vaccines.
Experts are scrambling to learn more about the variant, called B.1.1.529 and likely to be given a Greek letter name shortly. Right now, there are more open questions than firm answers. And although scientists have expressed significant early concern over the variant, they have cautioned that they are still seeking critical information about it.
