Post by Nadica (She/Her) on Jul 3, 2024 8:47:39 GMT
New COVID-19 Summer Wave: Masks Back In Hospitals, Restrictions Re-Implemented As Cases Rise In UK, US - Posted July 2, 2024
Is COVID-19 making a comeback? In the last 24 hours, both UK and US have seen a massive surge in daily cases of coronavirus. As per reports, in the UK, vulnerable sections of the population have been asked to start using face masks and vaccinations have been accelerated. On the other hand, the United States has re-implemented restrictions after cases surged in various parts of the country.
Speaking to the media, experts have stated that the Center for Disease Control (CDC), is strictly monitoring the new COVID-19 variant which has been designated as LB.1. It is important to note that the viral outbreak has largely been unnoticed for the last two years.
In a report presented, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has revealed that almost one in every 25,000 British citizens was infected by COVID-19 on June 26, 2024. Which is a huge number as per the experts.
5 Years of COVID-19: Are We Still Not Safe Yet?
Five years after the first case of COVID-19 was reported from China's Wuhan city, the world is still in the grip of the deadly virus, which comes with the ability to mutate and form new variants with extra potential to evade vaccine-induced immunity and pose serious health threats to the infected individuals.
The COVID-19 virus, also referred to as SARS-CoV-2, is part of the coronavirus family and mainly spreads through respiratory droplets from actions like coughing, sneezing, or talking. Knowing its structure is key to understanding how it changes and adapts.
How Does COVID-19 Mutate and Forms New Variants?
Every virus comes with the ability to mutate. And the same goes for COVID-19 causing coronavirus as well. The mutations are usually random genetic changes that happen as the COVID-19 virus replicates in human bodies. These can result in new variants with extra spike proteins, and unique traits, such as being more contagious or the ability to break through vaccine-induced immunity.
In the past five years, the world has seen some of the less lethal, to the worst variants of this virus such as: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Omicron, etc. All these variants were a product of mutations that were taking place in the spike protein of the virus. These mutated versions of the virus have thrown concern on the experts due to their rapid spread and potential to evade immunity.
What Happens Inside The Body After Catching The Virus?
Now that we know that even though there are vaccines to keep COVID-related deaths at bay, none of us are safe from getting infected by the virus. It is so because the vaccines can only protect your body from suffering the worst of the infection, but doesn't protect you from catching the virus. Now, what really happens after you are infected by COVID virus?
When someone is exposed to the virus, it enters their body through the respiratory tract, attaching to cells in the airways and lungs to replicate itself. This leads to symptoms like fever, cough, and fatigue. The immune system then responds by using T cells and antibodies to fight the virus. However, the virus's ability to mutate can sometimes allow it to bypass this immune response, causing breakthrough infections.
How T0 Stay Safe From COVID-19 Virus Infection?
Since the day the World Health Organisation (WHO) termed the COVID-19 virus outbreak a pandemic, experts have been sharing tips to keep the virus at bay. Since the virus is making yet another comeback this summer, here is what you need to know about the preventive tips to follow during such an outbreak:
Wear properly fitted N-85(sic. Typo. They meant N95) masks.
Do not step out during an outbreak.
Maintain social distancing.
Wash your hands properly before touching your face.
Do not ignore the subtle signs and symptoms of COVID-19 (mentioned below).
These are some of the tips that you can follow when trying to stay safe from COVID-19. However, it is also important to track the symptoms, as and when they appear. Here are some of the signs that you are infected by the COVID-19 virus.
Symptoms of COVID-19 That You Should Never Ignore
One way to fight COVID-19 is to know its symptoms. Here are some of the common ones you need to know:
Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath
Extreme fatigue
Body aches
Sore throat
Loss of taste and smell
Nausea
Diarrhea
Is COVID-19 making a comeback? In the last 24 hours, both UK and US have seen a massive surge in daily cases of coronavirus. As per reports, in the UK, vulnerable sections of the population have been asked to start using face masks and vaccinations have been accelerated. On the other hand, the United States has re-implemented restrictions after cases surged in various parts of the country.
Speaking to the media, experts have stated that the Center for Disease Control (CDC), is strictly monitoring the new COVID-19 variant which has been designated as LB.1. It is important to note that the viral outbreak has largely been unnoticed for the last two years.
In a report presented, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has revealed that almost one in every 25,000 British citizens was infected by COVID-19 on June 26, 2024. Which is a huge number as per the experts.
5 Years of COVID-19: Are We Still Not Safe Yet?
Five years after the first case of COVID-19 was reported from China's Wuhan city, the world is still in the grip of the deadly virus, which comes with the ability to mutate and form new variants with extra potential to evade vaccine-induced immunity and pose serious health threats to the infected individuals.
The COVID-19 virus, also referred to as SARS-CoV-2, is part of the coronavirus family and mainly spreads through respiratory droplets from actions like coughing, sneezing, or talking. Knowing its structure is key to understanding how it changes and adapts.
How Does COVID-19 Mutate and Forms New Variants?
Every virus comes with the ability to mutate. And the same goes for COVID-19 causing coronavirus as well. The mutations are usually random genetic changes that happen as the COVID-19 virus replicates in human bodies. These can result in new variants with extra spike proteins, and unique traits, such as being more contagious or the ability to break through vaccine-induced immunity.
In the past five years, the world has seen some of the less lethal, to the worst variants of this virus such as: Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, Omicron, etc. All these variants were a product of mutations that were taking place in the spike protein of the virus. These mutated versions of the virus have thrown concern on the experts due to their rapid spread and potential to evade immunity.
What Happens Inside The Body After Catching The Virus?
Now that we know that even though there are vaccines to keep COVID-related deaths at bay, none of us are safe from getting infected by the virus. It is so because the vaccines can only protect your body from suffering the worst of the infection, but doesn't protect you from catching the virus. Now, what really happens after you are infected by COVID virus?
When someone is exposed to the virus, it enters their body through the respiratory tract, attaching to cells in the airways and lungs to replicate itself. This leads to symptoms like fever, cough, and fatigue. The immune system then responds by using T cells and antibodies to fight the virus. However, the virus's ability to mutate can sometimes allow it to bypass this immune response, causing breakthrough infections.
How T0 Stay Safe From COVID-19 Virus Infection?
Since the day the World Health Organisation (WHO) termed the COVID-19 virus outbreak a pandemic, experts have been sharing tips to keep the virus at bay. Since the virus is making yet another comeback this summer, here is what you need to know about the preventive tips to follow during such an outbreak:
Wear properly fitted N-85(sic. Typo. They meant N95) masks.
Do not step out during an outbreak.
Maintain social distancing.
Wash your hands properly before touching your face.
Do not ignore the subtle signs and symptoms of COVID-19 (mentioned below).
These are some of the tips that you can follow when trying to stay safe from COVID-19. However, it is also important to track the symptoms, as and when they appear. Here are some of the signs that you are infected by the COVID-19 virus.
Symptoms of COVID-19 That You Should Never Ignore
One way to fight COVID-19 is to know its symptoms. Here are some of the common ones you need to know:
Fever
Cough
Shortness of breath
Extreme fatigue
Body aches
Sore throat
Loss of taste and smell
Nausea
Diarrhea