COVID | Common News Update

Mar252023 by adminNo Comments

Have we found the ‘animal origin’ of Covid?

Science

ReutersBy Victoria Gill and Roland PeaseBBC News and BBC World ServiceWe now have "the best evidence" we are ever likely to find of how the virus that causes Covid-19 was first transmitted to a human, a team of scientists has claimed.It is the latest scientific twist in the troubled, highly politicised search for the cause of the worst pandemic in a century, one which has produced several competing theories which have neither been proved or disproved conclusively.The most recent analysis points to a particular species as the likely animal origin of the virus. That analysis is based on evidence that was gathered three years ago from the Huanan Wildlife Market in Wuhan, which has always been a focal point of the initial outbreak. During the early days of 2020, when Covid was still a mystery ...

Apr82021 by adminNo Comments

Covid: UK vaccine rollout ‘breaking link’ between infections and death

Health

Getty ImagesIncreasingly strong evidence shows that the UK's vaccination programme is breaking the link between Covid-19 cases and deaths, scientists tracking the epidemic have said. A study found infections had fallen by roughly two-thirds since February, before beginning to level off.This is probably because people are beginning to mix more - but deaths have not followed the same pattern.This was not the case before January, when the vaccine rollout began. The research, commissioned by the government and run by Imperial College London, is based on swabs taken from 140,000 people selected to represent England's population.Of that group, who were tested for the virus between 11 and 30 March, 227 had a positive result, giving a rate of 0.2%, or one in 500 people.But in people over the age o...

Apr72021 by adminNo Comments

Covid: Brazil has more than 4,000 deaths in 24 hours for first time

World

EPABrazil has recorded more than 4,000 Covid-related deaths in 24 hours for the first time, as a more contagious variant fuels a surge in cases.Hospitals are overcrowded, with people dying as they wait for treatment in some cities, and the health system is on the brink of collapse in many areas. The country's total death toll is now almost 337,000, second only to the US.But President Jair Bolsonaro continues to oppose any lockdown measures to curb the outbreak.He argues that the damage to the economy would be worse than the effects of the virus itself, and has tried to reverse some of the restrictions imposed by local authorities in the courts. Covid vaccines: How fast is worldwide progress?What is the Brazil variant and do vaccines work against it?Political crisis and Covid surge rock Bra...

Apr62021 by adminNo Comments

Covid passports: Entertainment venues air concerns over plans

Entertainment

Getty ImagesLeading figures in the UK entertainment industry have expressed reservations about the prospect of using Covid passports as venues reopen, especially if they require proof of vaccination.The government has said Covid-status certificates could be used at theatres, nightclubs and festivals from June.They could be used to prove if a person has been vaccinated, has had a recent negative test or has natural immunity.But some industry figures say they have "deep concerns" over the proposals.The announcement of a series of pilot events, which will start later this month, has already proved controversial.Trial events are due to take place at venues in Liverpool, as well as sporting fixtures including the Snooker World Championships and FA Cup Final.Covid passports are 'one option', say...

Apr52021 by adminNo Comments

Vitamin D: The truth about an alleged Covid ‘cover-up’

Health

Getty ImagesAs Covid-19 swept the world, so did misinformation about how to treat it. But sometimes misinformation can develop even around ideas that have some truth to them - and that can be the most difficult kind to tackle.Why vitamin D?There are many treatments that have been suggested for Covid-19.Hydroxychloroquine, Ivermectin and vitamin D - all are, or were, being studied. Suggesting that a treatment could be effective and then finding it isn't upon further research is all part of the normal scientific process. But online, early or low quality research can be shared out of context. And the confusion this creates can be exploited by people promoting conspiracy theories. There is some logic behind why vitamin D might be useful in treating or preventing Covid.It plays a role in immuni...