What is C.1.2, the new Covid variant in South Africa, and should we be worried?

The C.1.2 strain has scientists' attention because it possesses mutations within the genome similar to those seen in variants of interest, like Delta

A new Covid variant detected in South Africa has made headlines around the world.

On Monday the National Institute for Communicable Diseases in South Africa issued an alert about the C.1.2 lineage", saying it had been detected in all provinces in the country, but at a relatively low rate.