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.  — Reported by Alexander Winning, (c) 2021 Reuters