Alert on Botswana variant

SCIENTISTS have identified a new ‘Botswana variant’ thought to be the most highly evolved version of Covid-19 yet.

The variant – officially named B.1.1.529 – carries 32 mutations but experts stressed it was too early to know if it will spread widely.

Ten cases have been detected – in Botswana, South Africa and one in Hong Kong, in someone who had returned from Africa. No 10 said the variant was ‘not seen as an issue’ for the UK at present.

Several mutations to its spike protein mean it is likely to be able to evade antibodies generated by vaccines.

Professor Francois Balloux, geneticist at University College London, said he would ‘definitely expect it to be poorly recognised by neutralising antibodies’.