* The B.1.1.529 variant has a 'very unusual constellation' of mutations and may be more resistant to the vaccine
* Likely to be officially named Nu, variant might evade the body's immune response and be more transmissible
* There are currently 77 confirmed cases in South Africa, four in Botswana, one in Hong Kong and one in Israel
* However, the real numbers are likely much higher as health authorities establish the full scale of the spread
* Britain, Israel, Singapore, Germany and Ital are among increasing countries to block flights from South Africa
* There are no direct flights to US from any of the countries except South Africa.
Early Friday morning, the CDC still listed South Africa as 'Level 1: Low Level of COVID-19' on the country's travel advice page
Scientists are growing increasingly alarmed at a new COVID-19 variant originating in Southern Africa, which on Thursday and Friday forced countries including the U.K., Israel, Italy and Germany to effectively stop travel from the region, but passengers are continuing to arrive in the U.S. Flight restrictions from South Africa to the US were lifted two weeks ago, along with restrictions on around 30 other countries.
As of 5:00 a.m. on Friday, the CDC listed South Africa as 'Level 1: Low Level of COVID-19'. The variant, B.1.1.529, is believed to have emerged in Botswana - from where there are no direct flights to the U.S. - and is also being found in neighboring South Africa.
Read more ....
More News On The Newest Covid-19 Variant Discovered In South Africa
New COVID variant sparks international alarm — live updates -- DW
Live: France suspends flights from southern Africa over new Covid-19 variant -- France 24
Covid live: first European case of B.1.1.529 variant identified in Belgium -- The Guardian
World takes action as new variant emerges in southern Africa -- AP
Coronavirus: Countries shut borders over new South Africa variant -- BBC
COVID: Countries suspend travel from southern Africa over new variant -- DW
Israel warns of ‘emergency’ after detecting new virus strain -- AP
Belgium Confirms Case of New Virus Strain in Person From Abroad -- Bloomberg
COVID-19 variant described as 'worst one yet' emerges in South Africa, prompting UK to ban travel from six countries -- ABC News Australia
South African scientists detect new virus variant amid spike -- AP
Scientists in South Africa detect new Covid-19 variant that poses ‘major threat’ -- France 24
WHO meets to discuss new, ‘heavily mutated’ COVID-19 variant -- FOX News
WHO to assess new highly mutated Covid-19 variant as countries ramp up health checks -- The Guardian
WHO hosts special meeting on worrying new COVID-19 variant -- AP
Is it vaccine resistant? What scientists know of new Covid variant -- The Guardian
New Covid variant: How worried should we be? -- BBC
EXPLAINER: What is this new COVID variant in South Africa? -- AP
Please stop the fear porn WNU editor, just stop it
ReplyDeleteRelative has COVID. You know how they know? They tested. That is how. Otherwise, they would never have known. If you have smallpox, ebola or some killer disease, you know it. So I am in agreement with Stephen.
ReplyDeleteThis thing is quite the organism.
ReplyDeleteOne's imagination can run wild with the possible impact this one will have.
Yes, please stop the fear porn. It is becoming tiresome.
ReplyDeleteBomb Canadia!
ReplyDeletean anecdote here and another there does not make a solid case for anything. the variant is real and dangerous. to suggest otherwise is either dumb or malicious. The scientific community knows more about such matters than does the ordinary layman.
ReplyDeleteANN ARBOR, Mich. — As coronavirus hospitalizations soared in 2020, the majority of healthcare providers waived costs, and prevented many Americans from being buried by bills. Things are changing now with the COVID-19 vaccine easily available. Major insurance providers are removing such policies, forcing at-risk patients to potentially pay thousands of dollars out of pocket, experts warn.
ReplyDeleteA recent study out of the University of Michigan analyzed more than 4,000 citizens who were hospitalized in 2020 due to COVID and had either Medicare Advantage or private insurance. They found that most patients’ insurance companies paid for the costs. Some, however, were not offered these waivers, and costs reached into the thousands. They found that 72% of major providers were ending their waivers by August of 2021.
“Many insurers claim that it is justified to charge patients for COVID-19 hospitalizations now that COVID-19 vaccines are widely available.
A vicious one (12:04) two (12:09) slap by the pedigreed slap fighter himself.
ReplyDelete12:04
scientific community knows more about such matters than does the ordinary layman.
That may be true. But once you report numbers such as how many people got infected or case fatality rate everyone can weigh in and many of them as good or better than "scientists". Although most scientists are not into phrenology as in the 19th century, there is plenty of pseudo science and fraud going around. You cannot argue that because these are the modern times everything is up and up in any given profession. In the first 3rd of the 20th century we had the socialist gift of Lysenko-ism.
True to form 12:04 will warn about anecdotal evidence, while he also gives it and will not go toe to toe with facts and figures.
12:09
A copy and paste from the PhD. Did anyone not see that coming?
Why take a vaccine if a new variant renders it impotent within months.
ReplyDeleteVariant eta mutated and can break the sound barrier.
ReplyDeleteVariant iota has mutated in novel ways and can break the speed of light.