At the Lancet Laboratories in South Africa, scientists and pathologists first noticed an anomaly in positive PCR tests in early November, and it has come to the fore again and again.
“It was a little troubling, because it made us worry that we were doing something new,” Lancet Labs pathologist Alison Glass told CNN’s David McKenzie.
He immediately informed the South African genomics team. Within days, details about the new Omicron coronavirus variant became known around the world.
“What’s important is we know that a newer variant is likely to lead to an increase in cases, whether they are more severe or not,” Glass said.
Scientists inside the Wits VIDA Research Unit in South Africa are trying to determine whether the variant is more transmissible or causes more severe disease.
McKenzie explained that the samples are being kept in the freezer in the hallway at the lab, and it’s ready to work 24 hours a day.
Jeanine du Plessis, a medical scientist at the lab, said they have been seeing a lot of positive cases in the past few weeks.
Since much is still unknown about the version at this time, she said “everyone feels a little bit disappointed.”
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