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- France has found a brand new coronavirus variant, IHU, which was first detected in a Frenchman who travelled to Cameroon.
- Researchers say IHU has extra mutations in comparison with the extremely infectious Omicron variant, which elements of the world continues to be grappling with.
- Issues have been raised as a result of Cameroon is internet hosting this 12 months’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Scientists in France say a brand new B.1.640.2 variant of the coronavirus, named IHU, has been detected in a vaccinated man who travelled to Cameroon – the host of this 12 months’s Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon).
However they are saying it doesn’t imply IHU originated in Cameroon.
The researchers say the variant could possibly be stronger than the Omicron variant, which scientists in South Africa and Botswana first found.
READ | Goodbye, curfew! SA’s new lockdown guidelines unpacked
IHU has 46 mutations, in comparison with Omicron’s 37, says a examine that’s but to be peer-reviewed.
This 12 months’s Afcon is being held because the world continues to grapple with the Covid-19 pandemic, so stadiums can be at 60% capability for followers and fixtures that includes the host nation Cameroon can have 80% capability.
“In gentle of the evolution of the well being disaster and the challenges imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Afcon and the native organising committee have agreed an higher restrict of between 60% and 80% for the capability of stadiums within the Africa Cup of Nations,” CAF (the Confederation of African Soccer) stated in an announcement quoted by numerous media shops in West and Central Africa.
Senegal, one of many match favourites is predicted to play Zimbabwe on 10 January and 9 of its gamers and employees have examined constructive for Covid-19. It is unclear when the crew will arrive in Cameroon.
READ | Lancet, Ampath agree to cut back Covid-19 PCR take a look at price to R500
However, Zimbabwe’s star participant Jordan Zemura, who plies his commerce in England for Championship facet AFC Bournemouth is a contact particular person after a Covid-19 outbreak was introduced at AFC Bournemouth.
Burkina Faso, which play hosts Cameroon within the opening match, can be with out Dramane Nikiema, Kylian Nikiema and Issoufou Dayo in Yaoundé on Sunday. They may solely be part of the camp after they take a look at damaging and will miss the primary spherical of matches.
In the meantime, Cape Verde’s coach examined constructive for Covid-19 and his arrival in Cameroon has been delayed. Previous to that, 21 gamers and employees additionally returned constructive assessments.
READ | SA scientist to guide WHO analysis into Covid-19 origins
The Cape Verdean Soccer Federation stated in an announcement that 5 gamers returned to coaching and eight are nonetheless constructive however asymptomatic.
Media experiences in Tunisia say The Eagles of Carthage, because the nationwide crew is fondly referred to as, has two gamers who examined constructive. Staff captain Youssef Msakni and striker Seifeddine Jaziri might make it in time for the crew’s first outing towards Mali on January 12.
A collection of pleasant matches that includes the likes of Ivory Coast, Mali and Zimbabwe have additionally been struck off due to Covid-19 scares.
This 12 months’s match goes forward after it was delayed twice in 2021 due to the ravaging pandemic.
The News24 Africa Desk is supported by the Hanns Seidel Basis. The tales produced by the Africa Desk and the opinions and statements that could be contained herein don’t replicate these of the Hanns Seidel Basis.
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