The C.1.2 variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was first identified and sequenced in May 2021 in South Africa. It has now infected people in several countries. Scientists found C.1.2 has mutation rate that is nearly "twice as fast" as the rate of the other variants, including Alpha, Beta and Delta.
This C.1.2 is a very fast-moving variant, say researchers. A study published in the pre-print biology server Biorxiv shows that the C.1.2 lineage has a mutation rate of about 41.8 mutations per year. That’s nearly twice as fast as the current global rate of other variants.
C.1.2' short period of increased evolution was also seen with Alpha, Beta and Gamma variants, suggesting that a single event, followed by a spike in cases, drove faster mutation rates, say experts.
Its ability to mutate faster than the variants of concern/interest means that C.1.2 has somehow mutated so far that it is now the "furthest mutated" variant found to date. It is more mutations away from the original virus (Wuhan 1.0) than any other variant detected so far worldwide.
"It has mutated the greatest genetic distance from the original Wuhan 1.0 strain — and implies potential troubles for 1.0 vaccines," said Harvard epidemiologist Eric Feigl-Ding.
Yes. The number has consistently rises on a monthly basis, according to a study was published by South Africa's National Institute for Communicable Diseases.
The study found a consistent rise in the number of C.1.2 genomes in South Africa month-on-month — rising from 0.2% of genomes sequenced in May to 1.6% in June and then to 2% in July — similar to increases seen with Beta and Delta variants there.