What We Know So Far About the New Variant of COVID-19 Raising Alarms Globally
A new variant of SARS-CoV-2 first reported in South Africa is raising alarms for health officials around the world, leading to fresh travel restrictions amid fears it could be resistant to existing vaccines.
Researchers in South Africa conducting genetic analysis of COVID-19 virus cases determined that a new variant, B.1.1.529, had been found in cases in South Africa, Botswana, and a traveler who had traveled from South Africa to Hong Kong, the country’s health minister announced on Nov. 25. The following day, Belgian health officials reported the first case of the new variant discovered in Europe. That same day, the...
Source: TIME: Health - November 26, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Alice Park Tags: Uncategorized COVID-19 Source Type: news
Failure to share Covid vaccines ‘coming back to haunt us’, says Gordon Brown
Ex-PM says world was ‘forewarned’ of dangers of failing to vaccinate poorer countries amid rise of new variant‘New variant is no surprise when rich countries are hoarding vaccines’Coronavirus – latest updatesThe failure of wealthy nations to get vaccines to the developing world is “coming back to haunt us”, Gordon Brown has warned, as experts said the emergence of variants such as B.1.1.529 could have been avoided if jabs had been more fairly distributed.Writing in the Guardian, the Labour former prime minister said the world had been “forewarned” that a lack of vaccines in poorer countries could have ser...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - November 26, 2021 Category: Science Authors: Nicola Davis and Rowena Mason Tags: Coronavirus Vaccines and immunisation South Africa Botswana World news Gordon Brown Health Politics Society UK news Infectious diseases Science Aid Health policy Source Type: news
Passengers on last flights from South Africa before ban say there were 'no additional precautions'
Health Secretary Sajid Javid has announced that flights from South Africa - as well as Namibia, Lesotho, Botswana, Eswatini and Zimbabwe - will be suspended from midday today. (Source: the Mail online | Health)
Source: the Mail online | Health - November 26, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Botswana: Botswana Records Four New Covid-19 Variant Cases
[East African] Botswana has recorded four cases of the new Covid-19 variant now known as B.1.1.529, the country ´s presidential Covid-19 Task Force announced Thursday in a statement. (Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine)
Source: AllAfrica News: Health and Medicine - November 26, 2021 Category: African Health Source Type: news
Botswana variant symptoms: B.1.1.529 differences explained - what are the symptoms?
A COVID variant first discovered in Botswana has triggered international concern as scientists scramble to fend off the "most worrying" discovery. What are the symptoms of the new Covid variant? (Source: Daily Express - Health)
Source: Daily Express - Health - November 26, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
Scientists Concerned About New COVID-19 Variant Detected in South Africa With High Number of Mutations
(JOHANNESBURG) — A new coronavirus variant has been detected in South Africa that scientists say is a concern because of its high number of mutations and rapid spread among young people in Gauteng, the country’s most populous province, Health Minister Joe Phaahla announced Thursday.
The coronavirus evolves as it spreads and many new variants, including those with worrying mutations, often just die out. Scientists monitor for possible changes that could be more transmissible or deadly, but sorting out whether new variants will have a public health impact can take time.
South Africa has seen a dramatic rise in ne...
Source: TIME: Health - November 26, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Authors: Andrew Meldrum and Mogomotsi Magome/AP Tags: Uncategorized COVID-19 overnight wire Source Type: news
Explainer: What is this new COVID variant in South Africa?
It's unclear from where the new variant actually arose, but it was first detected by scientists in South Africa and has also been seen in travelers to Hong Kong and Botswana. (Source: The Economic Times)
Source: The Economic Times - November 26, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
‘The virus is always searching for its next move’: why science is alert to new variants
Botswana offshoot is latest to be detected as scientists anticipate one that could replace dominant Delta strain (Source: FT.com - Drugs and Healthcare)
Source: FT.com - Drugs and Healthcare - November 25, 2021 Category: Pharmaceuticals Source Type: news
What do we know about the new ‘worst ever’ Covid variant?
UK places South Africa on red travel list over B.1.1.529 variant picked up by scientists in countrySouth Africa to be put on England ’s travel red listSee all our coronavirus coverageWhat is the new variant and why is it a concern?Scientists have detected a new Covid-19 variant called B.1.1.529 and are working to understand its potential implications. About 50 confirmed cases have been identified in South Africa, Hong Kong and Botswana.B.1.1.529 has a very unusual constellation of mutations, which are worrying because they could help it evade the body ’s immune response and make it more transmissible, scientists have s...
Source: Guardian Unlimited Science - November 25, 2021 Category: Science Authors: Andrew Gregory and Tom Ambrose Tags: Coronavirus Infectious diseases Science World news South Africa Travel Source Type: news
Israel labels 7 African countries ‘red’ as new variant stokes worry
South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, and Eswatini added to list of countries from which foreigners are barred entry #southafrica #eswatini #lesotho #foreigners #variantstokes (Source: Reuters: Health)
Source: Reuters: Health - November 25, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
'More infectious and vaccine resistant' Botswana Covid variant is driving South African surge
Fears are mounting that a new Covid variant believed to have emerged in Botswana is driving a surge in cases in neighbouring South Africa. (Source: the Mail online | Health)
Source: the Mail online | Health - November 25, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
New COVID variant concerns South African scientists
The variant has so far been found in Botswana, South Africa and Hong Kong — in a traveler. #hongkong #southafrican (Source: Reuters: Health)
Source: Reuters: Health - November 25, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
WHO Investigates New Covid Variant Circulating in South Africa, Botswana
#southafrica #covidvariantcirculating (Source: Reuters: Health)
Source: Reuters: Health - November 25, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
New Botswana variant with 32 'horrific' mutations is the most evolved Covid strain EVER
Only 10 cases of the strain, which could be named 'Nu', have been detected so far but it has been spotted in Botswana, South Africa and Hong Kong, suggesting it's more widespread. (Source: the Mail online | Health)
Source: the Mail online | Health - November 24, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
A new mineral, named davemaoite, came from deep inside Earth
A rare mineral from the Earth's lower mantle has been discovered inside a diamond from Botswana. The find provides a window into deep-Earth chemistry. (Source: NPR Health and Science)
Source: NPR Health and Science - November 17, 2021 Category: Consumer Health News Source Type: news
