Fauci says there is no indication the new coronavirus variant found in southern Africa is in the US

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Fauci says there is no indication the new coronavirus variant found in southern Africa is in the US
Dr. Anthony Fauci.Pool / Pool/ Getty Images
  • A new coronavirus variant was detected in southern Africa. Experts are worried about its mutations.
  • Fauci said that there is "no indication" the variant is currently in the US.
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Dr. Anthony Fauci said that there is "no indication" that the new coronavirus variant that was first found in southern Africa is currently in the US.

He told CNN's "New Day" on Friday the variant had "some mutations that are raising some concern," specifically regarding to the speed of its spread and whether it would make existing antibodies, vaccines, and treatments less effective. Experts are working to figure these out.

Watch Fauci speak here:

The variant, B.1.1.529, has been found primarily in South Africa and Botswana. One case has been found in Hong Kong and and another in Belgium. Both were imported by travellers, their health authorities said.

The UK on Thursday instituted a flight ban South Africa, Botswana, and six southern African nations. The European Union is also considering a flight ban on unspecified southern African nations.

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