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Netherlands 'going into lockdown again' to curb omicron
Nations across Europe are moving to reimpose tougher measures to stem a new wave of COVID-19 infections spurred by the highly transmissible omicron variant.
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Scientists have been "surprised" by properties of the Omicron variant as studies suggest coronavirus has "altered the way it infects cells", a professor has said.
He said: "Some experiments that have been done in different groups are suggesting that the virus has kind of altered the way it infects cells.
"This is again potentially due to some mutations that have occurred, and there may, and this is a big caveat, there may be a slightly different profile for this virus [compared to Delta].
"Nonetheless, even if it were a little bit milder, in a very broad sense, the sheer numbers of cases would still translate into some individuals becoming quite sick.
"We're not anticipating that this virus, because of these changes, is going to suddenly become harmless. I think that shouldn't be the interpretation of the work that we and others are doing.
"But what we are saying is that we are learning about the virus all the time."
In Britain, 12 people infected with Omicron have died, while 104 people with the variant are in hospital, according to latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency.
Scientists have been "surprised" by properties of the Omicron variant as studies suggest coronavirus has "altered the way it infects cells", a professor has said.
He said: "Some experiments that have been done in different groups are suggesting that the virus has kind of altered the way it infects cells.
"Nonetheless, even if it were a little bit milder, in a very broad sense, the sheer numbers of cases would still translate into some individuals becoming quite sick.
"We're not anticipating that this virus, because of these changes, is going to suddenly become harmless."
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Biden to announce new Covid measures as Omicron variant spikes
President Joe Biden received backlash for deciding to wait until Tuesday to announce new Covid measures to fight the Omicron variant as some called out his apparent lack of urgency.www.dailymail.co.uk
Neutralizing molecule could be cheaper than antibodies
An experimental molecule that neutralizes the coronavirus in the same way antibodies do would be cheaper and easier to manufacture, researchers said.
The molecule belongs to a class of compounds known as aptamers. Because they are made from RNA or DNA, aptamers are easier to synthesize than protein-based antibodies that can only be produced in living cells, said Julian Valero of Aarhus University in Denmark. Like antibodies, the aptamers attach themselves to protein targets - in this case, the spike protein on the virus surface - by folding into a three-dimensional conformation. A study published in PNAS shows that in test tube experiments, the aptamer binds tightly to the coronavirus spike, preventing it from breaking into human cells. It inhibits earlier variants of the virus, including Delta, the researchers said. They are planning tests to see whether it also recognizes and binds to Omicron.
Use of the aptamer in patients is still far off, with tests in mice only recently begun. In terms of use in humans, “we’re much closer” to being able to use the aptamer to help diagnose SARS-CoV-2 infections, said Jorgen Kjemsa, also of Aarhus University. Experiments comparing the use of the aptamer to antibodies in widely used rapid COVID-19 tests for infection are underway, he said.
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed the urgency of understanding how public transportation ventilation systems transmit viruses and how exhaled droplets evolve in ventilated spaces. Researchers have wondered if those ventilation systems can be improved to mitigate virus transmission.
In Physics of Fluids, researchers at IBM Research Europe developed a model with an unprecedented level of detail and focused on conditions that are more characteristic of asymptomatic transmission. The multiphysics model involved air and droplet dynamics, heat transfer, evaporation, humidity, and effects of ventilation systems.
"By visualizing the droplets and the flow, you realize the number of physical phenomena taking place around us that go unnoticed, such as the complex interactions between natural body plumes, exhalation, and ventilation," said author Carlos Peña-Monferrer. "When it comes to preventing risk of infection, this is precisely what makes it difficult to contain."
Even if Omicron causes more mild cases it’s now so infectious that it’s starting to shut down parts of the economy. The stupid thing is most of the cases are in 5-14 year olds but no the politicians won’t close the schools or launch a vaccination campaign in that age group. Even though the children are the ones giving it to their families.
Hundreds of trains cancelled as Covid hits railways https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-59743461
I meant the British lot.Even if Omicron causes more mild cases it’s now so infectious that it’s starting to shut down parts of the economy. The stupid thing is most of the cases are in 5-14 year olds but no the politicians won’t close the schools or launch a vaccination campaign in that age group. Even though the children are the ones giving it to their families.
Hundreds of trains cancelled as Covid hits railways https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-59743461
The politicians again?
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France approves Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine for all children aged 5-11
France's Haute Autorite de Sante (HAS) health regulator approved the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for all children aged 5-11 on Monday.www.france24.com
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We wish you a merry vaccine! Lisbon starts inoculating children
Nurses wearing reindeer antler headbands danced to festive music and Santa Claus showed up at a Lisbon vaccination centre on Saturday as young children started to receive their COVID-19 shots.www.reuters.com
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FDA Authorizes Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for Emergency Use in Children 5 through 11 Years of Age
FDA authorized the emergency use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for the prevention of COVID-19 to include children 5 through 11 years of age.www.fda.gov
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'No Evidence' That Omicron is Less Severe Than Delta, Say Imperial Researchers - Slashdot
There is at present "no evidence" that the Omicron coronavirus variant is any less severe than the Delta strain, according to early findings from researchers at Imperial College London, which also highlighted the elevated risk of reinfection posed by Omicron and the need for booster shots to...science.slashdot.org
Government scientists are set to conclude the Omicron strain is milder than Delta for most people, according to reports.
However, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has not yet confirmed this and is set to announce its latest analysis on the coronavirus strain tomorrow.
Scientists still believe the variant is of "serious concern" amid fears its increased transmissibility could "potentially overwhelm" the NHS.
A UKHSA spokesperson said: "We are reviewing all analyses continuously to help inform the pandemic response, which includes assessing the severity of Omicron.
I’d call this news a mix of good and bad.
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Hospitalisation risk with Omicron 'appears to be lower compared with Delta' | ITV News
The report's authors described their analysis as "an initial step towards assessing the clinical severity and risk posed by the Omicron variant". | ITV National Newswww.itv.com