A highly mutated COVID variant called BA.2.86 has now been detected in Switzerland and South Africa in addition to Israel, Denmark, the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK), according to a leading World Health Organisation (WHO) official website.

According to the reports, the virus was first spotted in Denmark on July 24 after the virus infecting a patient at risk of becoming severely ill was sequenced.

Reports further indicate that another COVID subvariant called EG.5 already has some people on high alert and WHO said COVID testing has declined by 90% worldwide from the peak.

Meanwhile, the Director General of Health Services Dr. 'Nyane Letsie said the Ministry of Health is always on board in tackling issues of emerging COVID 19 variants.

Dr. Letsie also said the Ministry has a team of experts working all the time to protect the nation regarding anything that has to do with health issues. 

She has allayed the nation's fear that the ministry is ready for anything, be it globally or regionally. Adding that being ready at all times does not mean people should relax and not adhere to COVID 19 measures, she said they still exist and the expectation is that people should continue practising them.