Post by Nadica (She/Her) on Jul 7, 2024 5:11:14 GMT
New Covid-19 variants emerge, sparking global health concerns as cases surge - Published July 5, 2024
Two new Covid variants have emerged as the virus continues to spread globally. In response to the rising cases, UK hospitals have reinstated mask mandates as they grapple with full wards and an uptick in coronavirus hospitalisations.
The recent spike in infections has been attributed to the FLiRT strains KP2 and JN1, but now health authorities are tracking two additional variants, named FLuQE and de-FLiRT. Queensland's top health official, John Gerrard, has indicated that these variants are under close observation due to a winter-driven surge in Australia, where Covid has become the third leading cause of death for the first time in 50 years due to an infectious disease.
The FLuQE variant is rapidly spreading in the USA, while the UK has seen a 33.5% increase in Covid cases week on week. England reported 146 Covid-related deaths, marking a 5% rise.
Adrian Esterman, a biostatistician from the University of South Australia, commented, "It's really starting to take off and in America, it's starting to skyrocket."
He cautioned that FLuQE might be more contagious and better at evading immunity, reports Gloucestershire Live.
Professor Paul Griffin from the University of Queensland told SBS, "We're sicker than usual this winter, and we're seeing a lot of things circulated simultaneously."
He noted that FLuQE has overtaken FLiRT as the predominant strain.
During the peak of the pandemic, UK health officials kept a close eye on Australia's Covid situation to predict the potential impact on the UK in the upcoming winter.
Two new Covid variants have emerged as the virus continues to spread globally. In response to the rising cases, UK hospitals have reinstated mask mandates as they grapple with full wards and an uptick in coronavirus hospitalisations.
The recent spike in infections has been attributed to the FLiRT strains KP2 and JN1, but now health authorities are tracking two additional variants, named FLuQE and de-FLiRT. Queensland's top health official, John Gerrard, has indicated that these variants are under close observation due to a winter-driven surge in Australia, where Covid has become the third leading cause of death for the first time in 50 years due to an infectious disease.
The FLuQE variant is rapidly spreading in the USA, while the UK has seen a 33.5% increase in Covid cases week on week. England reported 146 Covid-related deaths, marking a 5% rise.
Adrian Esterman, a biostatistician from the University of South Australia, commented, "It's really starting to take off and in America, it's starting to skyrocket."
He cautioned that FLuQE might be more contagious and better at evading immunity, reports Gloucestershire Live.
Professor Paul Griffin from the University of Queensland told SBS, "We're sicker than usual this winter, and we're seeing a lot of things circulated simultaneously."
He noted that FLuQE has overtaken FLiRT as the predominant strain.
During the peak of the pandemic, UK health officials kept a close eye on Australia's Covid situation to predict the potential impact on the UK in the upcoming winter.