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Mar22021 by adminNo Comments

Covid Brazil variant ‘may spread more easily’

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Getty ImagesThe Brazil coronavirus variant now found in the UK appears more contagious and may evade immunity provided by past infection, scientists say.Experiences from Manaus - the Amazonian city hit hard by the P.1 variant - suggest it could be up to twice as transmissible as earlier Covid there, the first detailed study suggests.The preliminary work puts the chance of reinfection at between 25% and 60%.But experts say this should not be used to predict what may happen in the UK. Brazil 'variant of concern' found in UKHow worrying is the Brazil variant?Indeed, one of the lead researchers said it was unlikely P.1 would quickly take off in Britain when only six cases had been identified and these were being closely monitored. Infectious diseases expert Prof Ester Sabino, from the Univers...

Feb222021 by adminNo Comments

CDC: Vaccination key as teachers may drive in-school COVID-19 spread

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Feb. 22 (UPI) -- Teachers and staff "play a central role in in-school transmission" of COVID-19, highlighting the importance of vaccination for educators, according to a report released Monday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Nearly half of all in-school cases in a Georgia district recorded between Dec. 1 and Jan. 22 were linked with "educator-to-educator" or "educator-to-student" transmission, the data showed. Advertisement Subsequently, 26% of household contacts of these school-associated cases later tested positive for the virus. "These findings suggest that educators can play an important role in in-school transmission and that in-school transmission can occur when physical distancing and mask compliance are not optimal," CDC researchers said in the report. Alt...

Feb112021 by adminNo Comments

Study: Children less likely to catch, spread COVID-19

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Feb. 11 (UPI) -- Children and young people are less likely to catch COVID-19 and spread the virus to others compared to adults, an analysis published Thursday by PLOS Computational Biology found. The mathematical modeling of virus transmission within households found that people age 20 and younger were 43% "as susceptible" to COVID-19 compared to those older than 20, the data showed. Advertisement The data also showed that people 20 and younger have viral loads -- the amount of coronavirus in their bodies -- estimated at 63% lower than what adults carry, which affects the likelihood they are to spread COVID-19 to others. This may explain why children are more likely than adults to receive a negative test result, despite being infected with the virus, and why fewer children than adults are...

Feb102021 by adminNo Comments

CDC: Double-masking can significantly reduce spread of COVID-19

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Feb. 10 (UPI) -- Double-masking, or wearing a cloth face covering over a medical procedure mask, increases a person's protection against exposure to COVID-19 virus particles by more than 90%, according to an analysis released Wednesday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In addition, when two people in close contact are both double-masking or wearing properly fitted medical procedure masks over their nose and mouth, protection against coronavirus transmission increases by more than 95%, the data showed. Advertisement The findings highlight the importance of good fit to maximize overall mask performance, the agency researchers said. "Controlling [COVID-19] transmission is critical not only to reduce the widespread effects of the ... pandemic on human health and the econ...

Feb32021 by adminNo Comments

Covid-19: Study showing Oxford vaccine slows virus spread ‘superb’ – Hancock

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Getty ImagesResults that show the Oxford-AstraZenenca vaccine may reduce the spread of coronavirus have been hailed as "absolutely superb" by the health secretary.Matt Hancock said the study shows "vaccines are the way out of this pandemic".It is the first time a vaccine has been shown to reduce transmission of the virus.The UK has given a first Covid jab to 9.6 million people so far.The results of the study, which has not yet been formally published, suggest that the vaccine may have a "substantial" effect on transmission of the virus.It means the jab could have a greater impact on the pandemic, as each person who is vaccinated will indirectly protect other people too.Oxford vaccine could substantially cut spreadHow do I know the Covid vaccine is safe?When will I get a Covid vaccine?Mr Ha...