CLEAN : RAW-BRITAIN-HEALTH-VIRUS-SAFRICA-VARIANT'Very likely' new variant much more transmissible than Delta: Covid-19 e

The transcript discusses a new variant of a virus with an unusual mutation jump, combining mutations seen in previous variants of concern. It highlights the rapid spread of this variant in South Africa, displacing the delta variant, and suggests it is more transmissible. The speed at which South African scientists characterized the variant is noted, providing the world time to adapt. The transcript also touches on the challenges of predicting the virus's evolution due to its young age in the human population.

What is unusual about the new virus variant discussed in the first section?

• It has a very high mutation rate.

• It has around 30 mutations occurring simultaneously.

• It is resistant to all known treatments.

• It has no mutations at all.

What significant change did the new variant cause in South Africa?

• It was less transmissible than previous variants.

• It displaced the Delta variant at an unprecedented rate.

• It led to a decrease in the number of cases.

• It had no impact on the existing variants.

How quickly were South African scientists able to characterize the new variant?

• In less than a day

• In less than a year

• In less than three weeks

• In less than a month

Why is it difficult to predict the next steps in the virus's evolution?

• The virus is already perfectly adapted.

• The virus is still adapting to humans.

• The virus is very old in the human population.

• The virus has stopped mutating.

What has been the effect of existing variants on the virus?

• They have eradicated the virus completely.

• They have had no effect on the virus.

• They have made the virus better adapted to humans.

• They have made the virus less effective in humans.