get infected with this mutated strain of the coronavirus, do we know whether they are any less likely to be severely ill than if they have been infected with delta or the original strain of covid that we contended with? >> let me tell you exactly what i know. i have set for days with our scientific colleagues from south africa. there are fewer hospitalizations for case in south africa. there are fewer icu admissions. there is a shorter length of stay. there is no increase in the auctions joint requirement. so all of that suggests that it may be less severe. that may be due to different demographics in south africa. different rates of national immunity. or maybe it is the virus itself. or it may be a combination. some of the unofficial work that i am seeing is very preliminary. it may suggest that it may be