WATCH: Karim explains how new variant is highly transmissible

While scientists are hard at work to understand the new COVID-19 variant that has emerged in South Africa, Professor Salim Abdool Karim says this new strain is a cause for concern. #DStv403 #eNCA

JOHANNESBURG - Professor Salim Abdool Karim says the new COVID-19 variant is a cause for concern.

Karim says the 501Y.V2 variant is highly transmissible.

READ: British virus variant now in 50 countries: WHO

He made the announcement during a discussion about the new COVID-19 variant, which was discovered in South Africa.

The Health Department confirmed 12,267 new COVID-19 cases in South Africa on Sunday, taking the cumulative number of infections to 1,337,926.

While scientists are hard at work to understand the new COVID-19 variant that has emerged in SA, Professor Salim Abdool Karim says this new strain is a cause for concern. #DStv403 pic.twitter.com/Rs3lDimg0L
— eNCA (@eNCA) January 18, 2021