Health Minister Joe Phaahla stated Thursday that a new coronavirus strain has been discovered in South Africa, which scientists say is concerning due to its high number of mutations and rapid spread among young people in Gauteng, the country's most populous region.

As the coronavirus spreads, many new varieties, including ones with potentially dangerous mutations, die out. Scientists keep an eye out for alterations that could make the virus more transmissible or fatal, but determining whether new varieties will have an impact on public health can take a long time.

According to Phaahla, the number of new cases in South Africa has increased dramatically.