Caxton Local Media apologises for erroneously reporting that the XBB.1.5 Covid-19 sub-variant that has seemingly been detected in South Africa is ‘deadly’.

In a previous article, we stated that the sub-variant is ‘different, deadly and difficult to detect correctly’. The story also stated that it is said to be five times more virulent and has a higher mortality rate than the Delta variant.

These claims could, however, not be verified.

The statement used in the article was sent via a source in the health sector thought to be credible – an ambulance service in the Eastern Cape, which reportedly received it from a hospital group.

The Department of Health is yet to officially release a statement on the detected case, but previously tweeted that it is aware of the ‘highly transmissible XBB.1.5 variant’.

“[The department] is currently in discussions with the scientists [who initially reported that the variant had been detected in SA] to gather more information, including its transmissibility and severity. Thus, an official communication will be made in due course,” the tweet says.

.@HealthZA has been alerted about this highly transmissable XBB.1.5 variant and is currently in discussions with the scientists to gather more information including its transmissibility and severity. Thus, an official communication will be made in due course. #COVID19

— National Department of Health (@HealthZA) January 7, 2023

According to a Reuters article, epidemiologists from the World Health Organisation (WHO) say the sub-variant of Omicron is ‘the most transmissible’. WHO senior epidemiologist Maria van Kerkhove told Reuters that: “It spreads rapidly because of the mutations it contains, allowing it to adhere to cells and replicate easily.”

WHO, in its weekly epidemiological update on January 4, stated that the variant is currently one of six being monitored.

“These six variants under monitoring (and the respective prevalence) are BQ.1* (44.9%), a sub-lineage of BA.5; BA.5, with one or several of five mutations (S:R346X, S:K444X, S:V445X, S:N450D, S:N460X) (10.3%); BA.2.75 (11.8%); BA.4.6 (0.6%); and BA.2.3.20 (<0.1%). In week 50, the prevalence of XBB was 6.8%, which includes XBB.1.5, which had an increase in sequences in week 50 (667 sequences) compared to week 49 (December 5 to 11), where 525 sequences were reported.”