South African Coronavirus variant now dominant in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe says the Covid-19 variant first detected in South Africa now accounts for the majority of cases in the country.

Results of genomic sequencing conducted recently showed that the variant the nation had in 2020 had receded and that the new and more aggressive variant accounted for 61% of cases, the government said.

On Monday President Emmerson Mnangagwa extended a lockdown in place since early January by a further two weeks.

Covid-19 cases are on the decline, but the 4% fatality rate has authorities worried.

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In a statement, the government said the vaccine roll-out programme will begin on 18 February.

This follows Monday’s arrival of the first batch of vaccines from China.