this is the perfect environment for immune-escape variants to develop

[GoodTaste]

In this context, Omicron’s success in southern Africa might be due largely to its capacity to infect people who recovered from COVID-19 caused by Delta and other variants, as well as those who’ve been vaccinated. A 2 December preprint1 from researchers at the NICD found that reinfections in South Africa have increased as Omicron has spread. “Unfortunately, this is the perfect environment for immune-escape variants to develop,” says Althaus.
Source: Nature.

How bad is Omicron? What scientists know so far​

Does “this” refer to “this context”?

 

[Tdol]

The environment we have, where many parts of the world have not had access to vaccines.

 

[jutfrank]

He seems to me to be referring to South Africa.