Officials say the messages have been doing the rounds on social media. They claim that a new variant of concern has been detected and advise people to wear face masks. The department’s spokesperson Foster Mohale says the message is fake news meant to create unnecessary panic.
“The World Health Organisation has issued a notification in October this year on the Omicron sublineages BQ.1 and XBB detected around the world as part of ongoing work to track variants by the Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution.
“The department, working with the NICD and other scientists, continues to monitor all Covid-19 lineages, and appeals to South Africans to continue to be vigilant as they embark on festive season activities.”