The south african doctor who first raised concern over the new variant has said that symptoms found so far were mild

Hospitalisations have risen by 330% in the past two weeks in the South African province where the Omicron Covid variant was first detected. Gauteng has had 580 hospitalisations caused by Covid which is a 330% rise from the 120 people that needed hospital treatment two weeks earlier. At the same time the province, that includes Johannesburg, has one of the worst vaccine rollouts in South Africa with just under 40 percent of the 12 million residents having had at least one jab. Scientists are currently investigating amid fears that the Omicron variant could be the most infectious and could evade vaccination protection due to the extent that it has mutated. The news of the dramatic increase in hospitalisations comes as South African health officials have stated that cases of the Omicron variant have been mild. Scientists are currently investigating amid fears that the Omicron variant could be the most infectious ( Image: AFP via Getty Images) There were 120 people … [Read more...] about Hospitalisations soar by 330% in South African area where Omicron first detected

Monkeypox: Rare disease explained Sign up for FREE health tips to live a long and happy life SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info The new cases of monkeypox - three in London and one in north-east England - have not been linked to the three previously identified cases. It brings the total number of UK cases to seven. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) says investigations are underway to establish links between the latest four individuals, all of whom appear to have been infected in London. Related articles High cholesterol; Three smelly symptoms associated with high levels World's oldest woman shares the lifestyle that's got her to 128 The four new cases do share a common characteristic, however. … [Read more...] about The four new cases of monkeypox confirmed in England all share a common characteristic

Omicron: Another 'more infectious variant will come' says doctor Sign up for FREE health tips to live a long and happy life SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info The news of Omicron ’s lower severity brought hope to millions that the variant's burden would be insignificant. But given the speed at which it's spread, researchers have warned higher infection rate could still overwhelm hospitals and cause deaths. Coronavirus is infamous for infecting both the upper and lower respiratory tracts, but research has shown Omicron is less likely to descend into the lungs, where it can cause pneumonia. Now, however, reports from hospitals overseas are describing a "rapid" increase in the number of older people hospitalised with acute … [Read more...] about Omicron: The ‘severe’ symptom becoming more prevalent among the double-jabbed ‘elderly’

Long Covid: Dr Sara Kayat discusses impact on children Sign up for FREE health tips to live a long and happy life SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info COVID-19 is a pernicious and multifaceted viral foe with the ability to affect almost every part of the body from how it breathes to how it thinks, and now, to how it hears. Researchers from King’s College London’s ZOE Covid survey have noticed more and more people are developing tinnitus as a result of a Covid infection. Co-founder of the study, Professor Tim Spector, says the symptom should be taken “really seriously” as it indicates the virus has found new ways to attack the body. Tinnitus occurs when a person experiences a noise without an outside source over a prolonged period; … [Read more...] about Covid: The symptom affecting one in five people ‘for weeks or months’ – study finding

South Korea plans to provide Covid-19 vaccines and other medical supplies to the North, Seoul said on Friday after its reclusive neighbour confirmed its first ever Covid-19 deaths, reporting that a fever of unknown origin was spreading “explosively” and had killed six people. "We will discuss detailed plans for assistance with North Korea," a spokesperson for Yoon Suk-yeol, the new president, said in a statement. North Korea only broke its silence on its Covid-19 outbreak on Thursday, declaring the “gravest national emergency” and enforcing nationwide lockdowns. It previously claimed to have completely wiped out the virus by sealing its borders. Experts have warned of an impending Covid catastrophe fuelled by its failure to vaccinate, ailing public health system and widespread malnutrition that has weakened much of its 25-million-strong population. “For Pyongyang to publicly admit omicron cases, the public health situation must be serious,” Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of … [Read more...] about South Korea offers Covid aid to North as ‘explosive’ spread of ‘fever’ leads to first deaths

STUFF The findings of a major review into cycling and its high-performance environment are made public, presented by Mike Heron, QC, and senior academic Sarah Leberman. On her first day at her new workplace in Cambridge, the home of sporting champions, Kereyn Smith took time to gauge the atmosphere of the place. As the new transformation director at Cycling New Zealand, she’s been charged with driving change in a sport shaken by the damning report into its culture and athlete wellbeing, released on Monday . Her first impressions after meeting the cyclists, coaches and staff on Tuesday? “I feel like people feel very battered. I think they’ve been hurt,” Smith says. “When you go through exhaustive reviews like this, it’s traumatic. Sometimes things are painted in an accurate way, and sometimes portrayed in a not so accurate way as they see it. READ MORE: Olivia Podmore’s concerns validated in review, Eric Murray says After four years and thousands of pages of … [Read more...] about Kereyn Smith: The woman setting a new course for a ‘battered’ Cycling New Zealand

Bowel cancer: Dr Philippa Kaye lists the symptoms Sign up for FREE health tips to live a long and happy life SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Cancer symptoms are often non-specific and vague, which can lead to months of waiting before a referral is made by a doctor. But raised awareness among the population could encourage more patients to come forward for inspection. According to one study, many of the red flag symptoms are often "not urgently" referred by doctors. Four of these, are seen in a large number of cancer patients. Related articles High cholesterol: Two visual clues on your face - 'it's a sign' Vitamin B12 deficiency: Dr Sara on the ‘lesser-known' signs In one 2021 study, … [Read more...] about Cancer: Four red flags that are ‘often not urgently referred’ – seen in up to 90% of cases

Central African Republic (CAR) last week became the first country in Africa to adopt Bitcoin as its official currency. Central African President Faustin Archange Touadera's government justified the contentious move, saying that it would "improve the conditions of the nation's citizens" and put it "on the map of the world's boldest and most visionary countries." Political observers and financial analysts have warned that adopting the cryptocurrency is not a solution to the nation's problems. Despite its gold and diamond riches, CAR is one of the world's poorest and least-developed countries, and has been ravaged by a yearslong rebel conflict. Bitcoin law passed in haste The head of the International Monetary Fund's African department, Abebe Aemro Selassie, recently said that a "robust" payment system with financial transparency and a governance framework must be in place when adopting cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin explained: How it works and what it is good for The … [Read more...] about Bitcoin boom spikes amid perceived risks

Monkeypox: Rare disease explained Sign up for FREE health tips to live a long and happy life SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info Cases of monkeypox , which is a viral infection related to smallpox, are rising in the UK as a total of seven people are reported to have received a confirmed diagnosis as of Monday, according to the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA). Three new cases have been detected in London, as well as one more in northeast England. Related articles Monkeypox virus: 4 new cases of infectious disease - locations mapped WHO issues dire warning as cases of deadly Monkeypox confirmed in UK The UKHSA said investigations are currently underway to establish links between the latest four … [Read more...] about Monkeypox virus hits UK – How do you catch it and how easily is it spread?

North Korea on Wednesday reported 232,880 new cases of fever and another six deaths as leader Kim Jong Un accused officials of "immaturity" and "slackness" in their early handling of the COVID-19 outbreak ravaging across the unvaccinated nation. The country's anti-virus headquarters said 62 people have died and more than 1.7 million have fallen ill amid a rapid spread of fever since late April. It said more than a million people recovered but at least 691,170 remain in quarantine. Outside experts say most of the illnesses would be COVID-19, although North Korea has been able to confirm only a small number of COVID-19 cases since acknowledging an omicron outbreak last week, likely because of insufficient testing capabilities. A failure to control the outbreak could have dire consequences in North Korea, considering its broken health care system and its rejection of internationally offered vaccines that has left a population of 26 million unvaccinated. The outbreak is almost … [Read more...] about North Korea reports another jump in suspected COVID-19 cases