🇨🇳 China Faces New COVID-19 Surge with Recombinant Variant XDV.1
Recent reports from China reveal a concerning resurgence of COVID-19 driven by a new recombinant variant, XDV.1, which combines Delta and Omicron strains.
This development marks a surprising turn of events, as many had assumed the Delta and its sub-lineages had waned over the past few years.
Researchers confirm XDV.1 has spread to several provinces, including Hubei, Henan, Anhui, Hunan, Shanxi, and Hebei.
Unlike previous KP variants, XDV.1 is evolving rapidly, generating new sub-lineages with concerning mutations.
Reports indicate a rise in hospitalizations across affected provinces, with Hubei experiencing the most severe impact.
Local authorities have set up screening centers and temporary clinics to manage the situation and are advising those who test positive to isolate at home.
Although there are no lockdowns in place, checkpoints have been established in Hubei to limit unnecessary travel and curb the spread of the virus.
BREAKING: COVID-19 Positivity Rate at Walgreens Exceeds 40%
In a breaking development, the COVID-19 positivity rate at Walgreens in the U.S. has reached 40.2%, marking only the second time since the pandemic began that it has exceeded 40%.
The significant rise in positive test results signals a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases nationwide, raising alarm about the strain on healthcare systems and the effectiveness of current public health measures.
Officials are urging the public to remain cautious, adhere to preventive measures, and ensure vaccinations are up-to-date to combat the ongoing surge.
🚨 BREAKING: WHO Reports COVID-19 Positivity Above 20% in Europe
The World Health Organization (WHO) has revealed that COVID-19 test positivity rates in Europe have surged above 20%.
Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove noted that, according to data from 84 countries, the percentage of positive tests for SARS-CoV-2 has been increasing for several weeks, with global positivity rates exceeding 10%.
Unusually high infection rates are being recorded even in the summer months, a period typically less prone to respiratory viruses.
WHO's Tedros may declare Mpox a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).
A Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) is the WHO’s highest level of alarm.
#Mpox #HealthEmergency #PHEIC #WHOAlert
“I am considering convening an International Health Regulations Emergency Committee to advise me on whether the outbreak of mpox should be declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC),” added Tedros.
DRC has for decades had outbreaks of mpox, an infectious disease that causes painful skin lesions but can also be lethal, especially in people with weakened immune systems. "Previously, most Mpox cases were in children from remote villages, mainly transmitted from rodents."
Bird Flu Warning as Blowflies Found Carrying the Virus
🪰 Blowflies carrying bird flu have been found in southern Japan, raising concerns about a potential new transmission route by which the virus can spread.
A study from Kyushu University, published in Scientific Reports, identified bird flu in 14 of 648 blowflies collected from a crane colony in Izumi City. These blowflies, which are drawn to decaying flesh and feces, were found to carry the virus.
Ryosuke Fujita, the study’s first author and associate professor at Kyushu University’s Faculty of Agriculture, said “While 14 blowflies may seem few a 2.2% prevalence is significant compared to other insect-borne diseases, indicating a notable concern for bird flu transmission.”
COVID-19 Cases Reach Critical Levels: 1 in 37 Americans Infected According to JP Weiland Statistics
The United States 🇺🇸 is grappling with a staggering surge in COVID-19 cases, with a alarming 1 in 37 people currently infected.
This sharp increase has raised concerns among health experts, who warn of a potentially overwhelming strain on the healthcare system. The rapid spread of the virus highlights the need for vigilance and adherence to safety measures like masking, social distancing, and vaccination.
A dire milestone has been reached in the COVID-19 pandemic, with estimated daily infections skyrocketing to 900,000 cases in the United States. This staggering figure represents a 59% increase from the 12-month average, signaling a rapid and alarming surge in transmission.
Bird flu outbreak at Colorado farm as 5 workers reported positive: Experts warn of ‘turning point,’ call for urgent action
For months, fearing that the current version of bird flu had a much higher chance of spreading to humans than previous iterations, experts have pushed for a more aggressive response from U.S. health agencies to reduce human exposure and prevent a potential pandemic.
The urgency of those requests is about to rise.
Late on Sunday, the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment reported that five people have tested positive for bird flu among workers at an egg farm in Weld County, Colorado.