It is the same variant that is driving a huge surge in infections across China
An Omicron subvariant has been detected in the UK. . Should we be worried? Here's what you need to know and the symptoms to look out for.
To put this into context, BF.7 is believed to have an R0, or basic reproduction number, of 10 to 18.6. This means an infected person will transmit the virus to an average of 10 to 18.6 other people. Research has shown omicron has an average R0 of 5.08. The high transmission rate of BF.7, taken with the risk of hidden spread due to the many asymptomatic carriers, is understood to be causing significant difficulty in controlling the epidemic in China.The symptoms of an infection with BF.
BF.7 has been detected in several other countries around the world including India, the US, the UK and several European countries such as Belgium, Germany, France and Denmark. We don’t know exactly why the situation looks different in China. BF.7’s high R0 might be due in part to a low level of immunity in the Chinese population from previous infection, and possibly vaccination too. We should, of course, be cautious about the data from China as it’s based on reports, not peer-reviewed evidence yet.
France Dernières Nouvelles, France Actualités
Similar News:Vous pouvez également lire des articles d'actualité similaires à celui-ci que nous avons collectés auprès d'autres sources d'information.
What is the prevalence of COVID-19 detection by PCR among deceased individuals in Lusaka, Zambia? A postmortem surveillance studyObjectives To determine the prevalence of COVID-19 postmortem setting in Lusaka, Zambia. Design A systematic, postmortem prevalence study. Setting A busy, inner-city morgue in Lusaka. Participants We sampled a random subset of all decedents who transited the University Teaching Hospital morgue. We sampled the posterior nasopharynx of decedents using quantitative PCR. Prevalence was weighted to account for age-specific enrolment strategies. Interventions Not applicable—this was an observational study. Primary outcomes Prevalence of COVID-19 detections by PCR. Results were stratified by setting (facility vs community deaths), age, demographics and geography and time. Secondary outcomes Shifts in viral variants; causal inferences based on cycle threshold values and other features; antemortem testing rates. Results From 1118 decedents enrolled between January and June 2021, COVID-19 was detected among 32.0% (358/1116). Roughly four COVID-19+ community deaths occurred for every facility death. Antemortem testing occurred for 52.6% (302/574) of facility deaths but only 1.8% (10/544) of community deaths and overall, only ~10% of COVID-19+ deaths were identified in life. During peak transmission periods, COVID-19 was detected in ~90% of all deaths. We observed three waves of transmission that peaked in July 2020, January 2021 and ~June 2021: the AE.1 lineage and the Beta and Delta variants, respectively. PCR signals were strongest among those whose deaths were deemed ‘probably due to COVID-19’, and weakest among children, with an age-dependent increase in PCR signal intensity. Conclusions COVID-19 was common among deceased individuals in Lusaka. Antemortem testing was rarely done, and almost never for community deaths. Suspicion that COVID-19 was the cause of deaths was highest for those with a respiratory syndrome and lowest for individuals |19 years. Data are available upon reasonable request.
Lire la suite »
Scientists’ understanding of long covid is improvingOur podcast on science and technology. This week, we examine the latest research into what may be causing long covid, and ask whether the hunt for answers could shed light on other chronic conditions
Lire la suite »
China Reduces COVID Case Reporting as the Virus SurgesAs China relaxes its strict zero-COVID policy, with mass testing no longer obligatory, it has grown more difficult to gauge the true number of cases
Lire la suite »
China To Stop Reporting Comprehensive Covid Data | OilPrice.comChina is continuing to relax its Covid measures, announcing on Wednesday that it will stop reporting data on all covid cases
Lire la suite »
China bins its COVID tracking appTracked location and kept records of phone calls, and determined ability to travel. Which China will keep doing with other tech, for other reasons
Lire la suite »
China to deactivate national Covid tracking appIt's a further sign that Beijing is moving away from its controversial zero-Covid strategy.
Lire la suite »