The B.1.351 variant first detected in South Africa and identified in the United States this week could drive the country's Covid-19 death toll up to 654,000 by May 1.
Data from Novavax's clinical trial showed that its vaccine is only 49% effective against the South African variant, raising concerns about SARS-CoV-2's resistance.
The mother of five, Karen Hobbs, suffered a cardiac arrest and died on January 19 in an induced coma, just a few weeks after she tested positive for COVID-19.
Anthony Harnden, a physician who advises the UK government, said that since the Coronavirus is rapidly mutating, more variants of the virus would pop up.