The Delta coronavirus variant, first identified in India, appears to be dominating new infections in South Africa, local scientists told a news conference on Saturday.
South Africa is the worst-hit country on the African continent in terms of confirmed Covid-19 infections and deaths.
It is in the middle of a "third wave" of infections, recording more than 18,000 new cases on Friday.
Acting health minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane told the same news conference that it was now likely that the peak of the third wave would surpass the peak of the second wave in January.
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(Published 26 June 2021, 12:34 IST)
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