Question NW252 to the Minister of Health
17 March 2021 - NW252
Chirwa, Ms NN to ask the Minister of Health
Whether there is any research that states and shows where variant 501.V2 of the novel coronavirus is more prevalent and less prevalent; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details on compiled research on the (a) prevalence of variant 501.V2 first recorded in the Republic in each (i) province, (ii) region and (iii) district in graph form and (b) total number of (i) infections and/or (ii) deaths as reflected in each case?
Reply:
The laboratory assessments indicate that the variant is more prevalent, now. The prevalence of the variant grew from 11% in October 2020 to 98% in February 2021.
a) The prevalence of the variant is consistent across all provinces sampled, KZN (>95%), EC (>95%), WC (>95%), NC (>90%), GP (>80%). Reports from neighbouring countries suggest that the prevalence of the variant is similar to South Africa.
b) (i) number of infections with the 501Y.V2 variant will be similar to the number of infections in the population, given that the variant has a prevalence > 90%.
(ii) There is no evidence to suggest that the variant is more deadly than the previous lineage. It is more transmissible hence more people are infected. Even though the proportion of people hospitalised (compared to being infected) has not changed - the number of hospitalisations and deaths has been higher due to a greater number of people being infected. There has been no reported difference in the clinical response to usual treatment.
The graph below provides the temporal emergence of the 501Y.V2 (B.1.351) variant
Table 1: The temporal emergence of 501Y.V2 (B.1.351) variant in SA over time
END.