Covid

South Africa has found its first case of a coronavirus infection caused by the new, XBB.1.5 variant, nicknamed the "kraken variant" by some for its ability ...

No impact on cases, hospitalisations or deaths have been seen in South Africa so far, de Oliveira said. Nicknamed the "kraken variant" by some for its ability to spread, so far there hasn’t been significant differences in severity identified between cases caused by XBB.1.5 and those from other variants. XBB.1.5 = 1% (1/97 of recent genomes). First XBB.1.5 detected in SA today by Stellenbosch University, Network for Genomics Surveillance in South Africa (NGS-SA). Tweet 1/2— Tulio de Oliveira (@Tuliodna) XBB.1.5 has quickly become the dominant strain in the US and has been detected in at least 28 other countries, according to the WHO.

JOHANNESBURG - The health department is meeting with scientists to gather more information about the highly transmissible XBB.1.5 COVID-19 variant.

The health department is meeting with scientists to gather more information about the highly transmissible XBB.1.5 COVID-19 variant. The department is urging South Africans in the meantime to vaccinate, get boosters, wear masks, keep social distances, avoid overcrowded places and wash hands regularly.

South Africa has recorded its first case of a Coronavirus infection caused by the new, highly contagious, XBB.1.5 variant.

No impact on cases, hospitalisations or deaths have been seen in South Africa so far.” XBB.1.5 = 1% (1/97 of recent genomes). First XBB.1.5 detected in SA today by Stellenbosch University, Network for Genomics Surveillance in South Africa (NGS-SA). Tweet 1/2 Also read: The variant is nicknamed “Kraken” because of its ability to spread and mutate and has now been detected in at least 28 countries, according to WHO.

China has suspended or closed the social media accounts of more than 1000 critics of the government's policies on the COVID-19 outbreak, as the country ...

Despite the risk, the reopening is expected to provide a much-needed boost to Hong Kong’s tourism and retail sectors. The lengthy rules called for increased data gathering from hospitals and local government health departments and stepped-up checks on “pneumonia of unknown causes.” Since the pandemic started, China has shared 4,144 sequences with GISAID, a global platform for coronavirus data. On Saturday, the National Health Commission reported 10,681 new domestic cases, bringing the country’s total number of confirmed cases to 482,057. is requiring a negative test result for travelers from China within 48 hours of departure. But they’re also much smaller than the estimates being released by some local governments. While international flights are still reduced, authorities say they expect domestic rail and air journeys will double over the same period last year, bringing overall numbers close to those of the 2019 holiday period before the pandemic hit. Beijing also plans to drop a requirement for students at city schools to have a negative COVID-19 test to enter campus when classes resume Feb. While schools will be allowed to move classes online in the event of new outbreaks, they must return to in-person instruction as soon as possible, the city education bureau said in a statement Friday. Criticism has largely focused on heavy-handed enforcement of regulations, including open-ended travel restrictions that saw people confined to their homes for weeks, sometimes sealed inside without adequate food or medical care. [has threatened unspecified countermeasures.](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/beijing-threatens-response-to-unacceptable-covid-19-measures-for-chinese-travelers) Its spokespeople have said the situation is under control, and reject accusations of a lack of preparation for reopening. The adjustments “were made after comprehensively considering the harm of the behaviors to the society, and aim to adapt to the new situations of the epidemic prevention and control,” the official China Daily newspaper website said in a report on the notice.

Known by some as the 'Kraken' subvariant, this latest version is considered highly contagious by medical professionals.

Ryan Gregory of the University of Guelph in Canada, [according to Fortune.](https://fortune.com/well/2023/01/05/kraken-variant-omicron-covid-name-ryan-gregory-biology-professor/) [especially in the Twitterverse](https://twitter.com/joliclown/status/1611389298552766469), have taken to calling XBB.1.5 the "Kraken" subvariant. [Tweet may have been deleted (opens in a new tab)] If you are not experiencing symptoms, you should isolate for 5 days, and wear a mask for 10 days, in order to keep those who are at high risk of getting sick from catching the virus. [Fortune adds](https://fortune.com/well/2023/01/06/kraken-covid-symptoms-what-to-know-about-xbb-1-5-strain/) that the subvariant raised alarm bells at the end of 2022 when the number of XBB.1.5 cases rose from 1% of all cases at the beginning of December to 41% after three weeks. [raising concern](https://twitter.com/WHO/status/1610645084088705024) over COVID subvariant XBB.1.5, which has seen an increase in the United States of late. According to the And apparently, he has other mythological creatures, like Fortune reports the reason is that it’s basically descended from last year’s Omicron, which also explains why symptoms seen early on in the pandemic, like loss of taste or smell, aren't occurring as often here. [ABC News reports ](https://abcnews.go.com/Health/siounds-alarm-new-covid-variant-transmissible/story?id=96236451)hospitalizations are rising in the Northeast U.S., with the subvariant making up most of those. [according to the Mayo Clinic](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/coronavirus/expert-answers/covid-variant/faq-20505779#:~:text=To%20strengthen%20protection%20against%20COVID,for%20which%20you%20are%20eligible.) among others. [USA TODAY adds](https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/health/2023/01/06/covid-update-xbb-variant-symptoms-reinfection/10995204002/) the symptoms can range into shortness of breath and low oxygen, and medical attention is warranted for those.

The new, highly transmissible XBB.1.5 covid variant has found its way to South Africa, setting off alarm bells across the continent.

But the last Greek-named variant, omicron, emerged more than a year ago and left no room for the emergence of other, significantly different strains. The WHO plans to release an updated assessment on the variant’s risks in the coming days. It identifies so-called variants of concern that have potential global public health significance, such as reducing the effectiveness of current pandemic measures, using the Greek alphabet. A widely circulated viral post claiming the XBB variant may lead to vomiting and diarrhea led to an anti-diarrheal medication selling out across China as panicked buyers snapped it up. Shanghai has detected three infections caused by the variant and said all were imported cases. Covid variants are currently named by an expert group convened by the WHO. Together they account for 97.5% of all local infections, according to genomic sequencing data from the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention. In other countries, the proportion of infections caused by XBB.1.5 has remained lower, although the picture may rapidly change. Nicknamed the “kraken variant” by some for its ability to spread, so far there hasn’t been significant differences in severity identified between cases caused by XBB.1.5 and those from other variants. While only 29 countries have reported cases caused by it, health authorities are warning it could be much more widespread and silently proliferating thanks to a drop-off in testing. Only 15% of the population aged five and above has received an updated bivalent booster dose. XBB.1.5 is “the most transmissible sub-variant which has been detected yet,” said WHO’s Covid-19 technical lead, Maria Van Kerkhove, during a press conference on Jan.

Social media platform Weibo said it had suspended or banned accounts for what it described as personal attacks against Chinese Covid specialists. Weibo did not ...

"It is not acceptable to hurl insults at people who hold a different point of view, or publish personal attacks and views that incite conflicts," Weibo said in a statement. China scrapped its strict zero-Covid policy in December and has seen a rapid surge of infections and deaths. China has taken down more than 1,000 social media accounts - some with millions of followers - that criticised the government's Covid policies.

Camila Giorgi was not inoculated with the COVID-19 vaccine, according to her family doctor Daniela Grillon, who has been charged with vaccinating people ...

[News](https://www.tennis365.com/category/news/) [WTA Tour](https://www.tennis365.com/category/wta-tour/) [Australian Open](https://www.tennis365.com/category/australian-open/) He challenged the decision and his visa was re-instated, but the then immigration minister Alex Hawke withdrew his visa for a second time over fears he could stoke anti-vaccination sentiment in the country. [ATP Tour](https://www.tennis365.com/category/atp-tour/) I have not received any payment in that case.”

Gov't calls for an end to COVID-19-related prosecutions as restrictions, imposed under Border Health and Quarantine Law, will be lifted on Sunday - Anadolu ...

[Anadolu Agency website contains only a portion of the news stories offered to subscribers in the AA News Broadcasting System (HAS), and in summarized form. China, as of Sunday, will not impose a quarantine on those entering the country or on COVID-19 patients, in accordance with the Frontier Health and Quarantine Law, the NHC added. The government called on local governments, courts, law enforcement, and customs units for an end to COVID-19-related prosecutions, as restrictions, imposed under the country's Border Health and Quarantine Law, will be lifted on Sunday.

FILE PHOTO: A computer image created by Nexu Science Communication together with Trinity College in Dublin, shows a model structurally representative of a ...

According to the World Health Organisation, symptoms of this sub-variant are similar to those of previous Omicron strains, where most people experience flu-like symptoms. [@HealthZA]has been alerted about this highly transmissable XBB.1.5 variant and is currently in discussions with the scientists to gather more information including its transmissibility and severity. Thus, an official communication will be made in due course.

Japan further tightens border controls for travelers from mainland China, requiring proof of testing negative for COVID-19 amid a surge of cases in the ...

While all airports in the country will become open to direct flights from Hong Kong and Macao due to a reduction in coronavirus cases in the two cities, airline operators have been requested not to increase the number of flights. All travelers from mainland China and those who have visited the country within seven days are now required to take a PCR or high-quality antigen test upon arrival in Japan. Japan further tightened border controls for travelers from mainland China on Sunday, requiring proof of testing negative for COVID-19 amid a surge of cases in the neighboring country.

Virus outbreaks tipped to worsen as mainland China opens to Hong Kong, ends quarantine for visitors and millions begin holiday-period travel.

“We’re looking to hire and preparing to stock up,” the 24-year-old said in Seoul’s popular downtown Myeongdong district. In Tokyo, caricaturist Masashi Higashitani was dusting off his Chinese language skills as he prepared for more holidaymakers. Hong Kong’s flag carrier Cathay Pacific has said it will more than double its flights to the Chinese mainland. Immigration authorities will start issuing permits for mainlanders to travel to Hong Kong and Macau “according to the epidemic situation and service capacities”, the city has said. More than 280,000 in total had registered to make the journey within a day of the new rules being announced. [led more than a dozen countries to impose mandatory Covid tests on travellers](https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jan/04/eu-to-require-travellers-from-china-to-take-pre-departure-covid-tests) from the world’s most populous nation as it battles its worst-ever outbreak.

The World Health Organisation's senior epidemiologist, Maria Van Kerkhove, said XBB.1.5 is the most transmissible Omicron sub-variant that has been detected so ...

Despite struggling with a nationwide surge of COVID-19 cases, China has uplifted quarantine provisions for inbound travellers. On Sunday, the first section ...

But as China uplifts its COVID-19 policies, many nations have imposed a ban on travel from China. The rapidly spreading virus has caused a shortage of medicines, overcrowded hospitals and a long line at crematoriums. After record-breaking protests in China over the strict measures, Beijing abolished the hardline strategy of compulsory quarantine, lockdown and regular testing.

As incidents of COVID infection soar across China, the UK Health Security Agency launches a new testing system at Heathrow, which will also help to identify ...

[coronavirus ](https://news.sky.com/topic/coronavirus-8483)emerged in the Chinese city of Wuhan in late 2019. [Zero-COVID rules at the beginning of December](https://news.sky.com/story/china-adjusting-covid-rules-will-enable-economy-to-pick-up-says-premier-li-keqiang-12764678) has unleashed the virus on China, which is home to 1.4 billion people. [Patients build up outside entrances as hospitals in China struggle with rising COVID infections](https://news.sky.com/story/patients-build-up-outside-entrances-as-hospitals-in-china-struggle-with-rising-covid-infections-12779843) [Zero-COVID U-turn means infection rate will be shrouded in secrecy](https://news.sky.com/story/chinas-zero-covid-u-turn-means-rate-at-which-virus-is-surging-will-be-shrouded-in-secrecy-12767770) [Half of passengers on China flight to Italy have COVID](https://news.sky.com/story/half-of-passengers-on-china-flight-to-italy-have-covid-as-us-becomes-fifth-country-to-tighten-restrictions-on-chinese-travellers-12775498) [COVID-19](https://news.sky.com/topic/covid-19-8518) at the point of their arrival". [China ](https://news.sky.com/topic/china-5869)are removed, so the new surveillance will begin. Random passengers on direct flights from mainland China into the UK are to be tested for COVID-19 in a new UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) surveillance programme which starts today.

Head of a gene-sequencing institute at the University of Stellenbosch - Tulio de Oliveira - said in a tweet on Friday that the variant was discovered in the ...

5 has been detected in 28 other countries with the strain being more dominant in the United States. Tweet 1/2' Tulio de Oliveira (@Tuliodna) XBB.1.5 = 1% (1/97 of recent genomes).

The first case of the new highly transmissible Covid omicron variant has been detected in South Africa. On Saturday the Department of Health said it had ...

Ryan Gregory](https://fortune.com/well/2023/01/05/kraken-variant-omicron-covid-name-ryan-gregory-biology-professor/) had nicknamed XBB.1.5 the ‘kraken variant’ because it is able to spread quickly. Those infected with the new variant are less likely to experience fevers. A kraken is a mythical giant tentacled sea monster from Scandinavian folklore. [XBB variant was estimated to be responsible for 44.1% of Covid cases in the United States](https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/what-do-we-know-about-xbb15-omicron-subvariant-2023-01-05/) and had also been detected in 28 other countries. On Saturday the Department of Health said it had been alerted to the presence of the new XBB.1.5 variant and was meeting with scientists to get more information on its transmissibility and severity. The health department said it is meeting with scientists to gather more information on the highly transmissible variant.

Covid News Live Updates: China lifted quarantine requirements for inbound travellers on Sunday, ending almost three years of self-imposed isolation even as ...

As of Friday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that it made up 72% of new cases in the Northeast and 27.6% of cases across the country. The reason is a peak in Covid infections and an overwhelmed health system," the German foreign ministry said on Twitter. Telangana on Saturday recorded 3 new cases of Covid-19, taking the total number of cases so far in the state to 8,41,404. The new subvariant, first sampled in autumn in New York state, has a potent array of mutations that appear to help it evade immune defenses and improve its ability to invade cells. Maharashtra's Thane district has reported one new case of coronavirus, taking its infection count to 7,47,408, a health official said on Sunday.The new case was recorded on Saturday, he said, adding that there are currently 11 active COVID-19 cases in the district, which comes under the Mumbai Metropolitan Region. The new plan has stressed on monitoring of mutated variants and early warning as well as the protection of key groups by preventing severe cases. While the city recorded three recoveries, the health officials said that 1,884 people have been tested in the last 24 hours.Haryana, meanwhile, reported four new cases of Covid on Saturday - two cases each from Gurugram and Faridabad. The city logged two new cases of Covid on Saturday while the positivity rate was recorded at 0.1%.Gurugram currently has 15 active cases - all in home isolation. The new plan has stressed on monitoring of mutated variants and early warning as well as the protection of key groups by preventing severe cases.The 10th edition of the virus prevention and control protocol has been released in accordance to the decision to downgrade the epidemic management from Class A to Class B. Samples of half a dozen people who had come into contact with 38-year-old woman who had tested positive for Covid-19 after coming from Australia in Jabalpur were taken on Friday.The samples of the positive woman were also sent to Gwalior laboratory for genome sequencing.Nodal officer for Covid-19, Dr Adarsh Vishnoi said, “One sample, that was of her husband was found positive, remaining other five samples were negative.The woman is a resident of Vivekanand ward of the city. China's State Council joint prevention and control mechanism against Covid-19 released the 10th edition of the virus prevention and control protocol on Saturday, Global Times reported. China on Sunday welcomed international travellers and returning residents without the need to quarantine for the first time in three years, even as infections surge after it scrapped its stringent zero-Covid policy.

Travelers wearing face masks with their luggage head to the immigration counter at the departure hall at Lok Ma Chau station following the reopening of crossing ...

Authorities say that since the government ended compulsory testing and permitted people with mild symptoms to test themselves and convalesce at home, it can no longer provide a full picture of the outbreak. The Health Commission on Saturday rolled out regulations for strengthened monitoring of viral mutations, including testing of urban wastewater. The measures come into force at midnight Monday and are due to last until April 7. Those restrictions have had a particularly devastating effect on foreign businesspeople and students in the key Asian financial center. "I've been under isolated quarantine for six times in different cities (in mainland China)," said Ivan Tang, a Hong Kong business traveler. Meanwhile, more foreign governments are imposing testing requirements on travelers from China — most recently Germany, Sweden and Portugal. Hong Kong has been hit hard by the virus, and its land and sea border checkpoints with the mainland have been largely closed for almost three years. Since March 2020, all international passenger flights bound for Beijing have been diverted to designated first points of entry into China. "We want to get cooperation between the two sides back on track." Shanghai, China's largest city, received its first international flight under the new policy at 6:30 a.m. "I stayed up all night and got up at 4 a.m. Tan said a steady increase in passenger numbers is expected over coming days.

China's long-awaited border reopening — the final step in its dismantling of Covid Zero — is set to spark a homecoming rush for many diaspora, though a full ...

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Travelers began streaming into mainland China by air, land and sea on Sunday, many eager for long-awaited reunions, as Beijing opened borders that have.

But authorities have been on higher alert after widespread protests in Chinese cities and top universities at the end of November against COVID-19 restrictions. “It’s so good to see them in person! [Coronavirus](/coronavirus) Beijing has quotas on the number of people who can travel between Hong Kong and China each day. But the abrupt policy reversal has triggered a massive wave of infections that is overwhelming some hospitals and causing business disruptions. Finally, we are reconnected with the world.

Travellers streamed into China by air, land and sea on Sunday, many eager for long-awaited reunions, as Beijing opened borders that have been all but shut ...

25, she said, adding that the country's medical services to treat COVID were facing an "unprecedented challenge". Beijing has quotas on the number of people who can travel between Hong Kong and China each day. “It’s so good to see them in person! Many Chinese are also expected to start travelling abroad, a long-awaited shift for tourist spots in countries such as Thailand and Indonesia. Finally we are reconnected with the world. But the abrupt policy reversal has triggered a massive wave of infections that is overwhelming some hospitals and causing business disruptions.

Thousands of travellers crossed in both directions between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong on Sunday, in a border reopening that ended almost three years ...

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The first case of the XBB.1.5 COVID-19 variant has been identified in South Africa.

China finally came out of a 3-year-long isolation Sunday as the country reopened its borders to foreign visitors for the first time since the start of the.

6698 and to get information about the [cookies](/static/privacy#cookiesEn)used on our website in accordance with the relevant legislation. [veri politikası](/veri-politikasi) ndaki amaçlarla sınırlı ve mevzuata uygun şekilde çerez konumlandırmaktayız. Beijing has quotas on the number of people who can travel between Hong Kong and China daily. Çerez ayarlarınızı daha fazla öğrenmek veya değiştirmek için ayarlar bölümünden devam edebilirsiniz. "It’s so good to see them in person! Finally, we are reconnected with the world. Many Chinese are also expected to start traveling abroad, a long-awaited shift for tourist spots in countries such as Thailand and Indonesia. But the abrupt policy reversal has triggered a massive wave of infections that is overwhelming some hospitals and causing business disruptions. I haven't seen my parents for many years," said Hong Kong resident Teresa Chow as she and dozens of other travelers prepared to cross into mainland China from Hong Kong's Lok Ma Chau checkpoint. Purpose Provider Name

Di kontri reopening dey come at di start of "chun yun", di first period of Lunar New Year travel.

Before di pandemic , na di largest annual worldwide migration of pipo wey dey come back home to spend time wit family. Many Chinese believe say di long-running Covid restrictions contribute to di deaths, but authorities deny am. Two billion pipo dey expected to travel for dis Lunar New Year, double di number wey travel last year.

Capital Airport Reopens International Terminals Today: · Countries With Covid Testing Rules for Arrivals from China: · South Korea · Canada · Australia · France ...

To join, add TBJButler on WeChat (QR code below) and tell them which group you want to join. (Source: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20230102_08/) (Source: https://corona.health.gov.il/en/abroad/arriving-by-air/) (Source: https://www.mofa.go.jp/ca/fna/page4e_001053.html) (Source: https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/malaysia-responds-to-chinas-lifted-covid-restrictions-with-plans-to-tighten-borders) (Source: https://www.esteri.it/en/ministero/normativaonline/focus-cittadini-italiani-in-rientro-dall-estero-e-cittadini-stranieri-in-italia/) (Source: https://www.mohfw.gov.in/) (Source: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/covid19/) (Source: https://covid19.moph.gov.qa/EN/travel-and-return-policy/Pages/default.aspx) All passengers must undergo another PCR test after arriving in the country. International arrivals had been entering Beijing via Terminal 3-D since March 10, 2020. (Source: https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/covid-19-pre-boarding-test-requirements-china-hong-kong-macao)

Travellers began streaming across land and sea crossings from Hong Kong to mainland China on Sunday, many eager for long-awaited reunions, as Beijing opened ...

I haven't seen my parents for many years," said Hong Kong resident Teresa Chow as she and dozens of other travellers prepared to cross into mainland China from Hong Kong's Lok Ma Chau checkpoint early on Sunday. After three years, the mainland is opening its border with Hong Kong and ending a requirement for incoming travellers to quarantine, dismantling a final pillar of a zero-Covid policy that had shielded China's people from the virus but also cut them off from the rest of the world. Travellers began streaming across land and sea crossings from Hong Kong to mainland China on Sunday, many eager for long-awaited reunions, as Beijing opened borders that have been all but shut since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic.

“At present, no increase in cases, hospitalisation or deaths. NGS-SA (Network for Genomics Surveillance in South Africa (NGS-SA), is increasing genomics ...

In October last year, the world health body said the XBB variant has a global prevalence of 1.3 percent and it has been detected in 35 countries. “At present, no increase in cases, hospitalisation or deaths. On January 4, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said it would continue to closely monitor the situation in the People’s Republic of China and globally and urged all countries to continue to be vigilant, to monitor and report sequences, as well as to conduct independent and comparative analyses of the different omicron sublineages, including on the severity of disease they cause.

The ability of residents Hong Kong to cross into mainland is one of the most visible signs of China's easing of border restrictions, with travelers arriving ...

Authorities say that since the government ended compulsory testing and permitted people with mild symptoms to test themselves and convalesce at home, it can no longer provide a full picture of the outbreak. The Health Commission on Saturday rolled out regulations for strengthened monitoring of viral mutations, including testing of urban wastewater. The measures come into force at midnight Monday and are due to last until April 7. Those restrictions have had a particularly devastating effect on foreign businesspeople and students in the key Asian financial center. Hong Kong has been hit hard by the virus, and its land and sea border checkpoints with the mainland have been largely closed for almost three years. "We want to get cooperation between the two sides back on track."

South African scientists have found the 'Kraken' subvariant of the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in local samples. But there is no need to panic, ...

The latest [report](https://www.nicd.ac.za/diseases-a-z-index/disease-index-covid-19/sars-cov-2-genomic-surveillance-update/) from teams tracking variants in South Africa, published on 23 December, shows that Omicron BA.5 and its sublineages are still dominant in South Africa. [wastewater surveillance results](https://www.nicd.ac.za/diseases-a-z-index/disease-index-covid-19/surveillance-reports/weekly-reports/wastewater-based-epidemiology-for-sars-cov-2-in-south-africa/) for South Africa, the levels of viral particles detected remain low. He said the SARS-COV-2 virus was now “almost part of the family,” and there were better tools and knowledge to deal with any outbreak, as well as significant population immunity. Early evidence on clinical severity and reinfection risk presented to TAG-VE did not suggest a significant change in severity from the original Omicron variant. However, the evidence presented in October indicated that it was more contagious, especially among patients who did not have a previous Omicron infection, even if they had one of the other variants. He said teams looking for new variants and subvariants of the SARS-CoV-2 virus had found XBB.1.5 in South Africa. Several other countries followed suit, while South Africa’s Department of Health said it would monitor the situation. South African scientists have found the ‘Kraken’ subvariant of the Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in local samples. We need to become more circumspect about sharing on Twitter what remains an ever-evolving variant for the past year with repeated claims of greater transmissibility which generally has remained clinically irrelevant in settings with high levels of immunity against severe disease. In South Africa, hospitalisation for Covid-19 still occurs, although at low rates, which is to be expected. Scientists found the subvariant in one of 97 samples tested. He stressed that it was unlikely the subvariant would cause an increase in severe Covid-19 cases.

Starting Sunday, China no longer requires quarantine for arrivals after ditching the policy that was a major deterrent for travelers.

As for the resumption of visitation by foreigners and business people to China, the requirement for a negative PCR test and practices like near-universal mask wearing may act as a deterrent in the near term. The graduate student at the University of Hong Kong has been separated for three years from her partner, who lives in the neighboring city of Shenzhen. “I feel like a part of me is coming back to life,” said Wang, who crossed into mainland China at Lok Ma Chau station. There’s been a rush to secure spots in the daily quota of about 60,000 people allowed to travel northward from the financial hub, including 50,000 via the land borders that separate the two places. “I haven’t been home in almost two years, so the announcement felt like a fever dream,” said Connor Zhao, a 25-year-old consultant who lives in San Francisco. “But it still takes time to be reflected in the outbound travel routes.” “For those three years it was shut down, the relationships with our partners in different countries just deteriorated.” “I hope it will be as soon as possible.” “I’m very excited to see my parents. While anyone wanting to enter the country will still need a 48-hour negative Covid test result, the substantial easing in border controls just two weeks before the Lunar New Year holiday marks an end to Beijing’s efforts to keep out the virus. The flow of Chinese tourists, previously a Royce flew into Shanghai from Hong Kong on Sunday after an almost month-long trip to Australia — his first overseas journey in three years.

As a growing number of western nations impose new Covid testing mandates on travellers from China, airline trade group IATA is calling on governments to ...

If your flight is rescheduled or canceled you will need to be able to provide evidence of a negative result from a Covid test taken no more than 48 hours before the new scheduled departure date.” For it part, IATA noted that governments have the tools to manage Covid “without resorting to ineffective measures that cut off international connectivity, damage economies and destroy jobs. Canada followed the USA’s lead and announced its own border control measures, saying travellers — regardless of nationality or vaccination status — coming from PRC, Hong Kong or Macau must submit a negative Covid test taken no more than two days prior to departure. According to the CDC, “these three transit hubs cover the overwhelming majority of passengers with travel originating in the PRC and the Special Administrative Regions.” That’s why governments should listen to the advice of experts, including the WHO, that advise against travel restrictions.” “It is extremely disappointing to see this knee-jerk reinstatement of measures that have proven ineffective over the last three years,” added IATA.

The authors of a new study under review at Nature Portfolio and currently posted to the Research Square preprint* server showed the clinical possibility ...

Further, type 2 DM was the predominant subtype among COVID-19 participants with newly diagnosed diabetes. After COVID-19 resolution, hyperglycemia persisted in 39 of 89 patients (45%) with newly diagnosed diabetes. The results showed that 22% of newly diagnosed patients with documented HbA1c levels had recently acquired diabetes. Despite this, it remains unclear whether the association between COVID-19 and diabetes results from indirect health consequences of the former, such as – a higher rate of detection of pre-existing diseases, or whether the causative virus (SARS-CoV-2) directly precipitates hyperglycemia. Individuals with a fasting blood glucose of 126 mg/dL or above or non-fasting blood glucose of 200 mg/dL or above, with no prior diabetes history, and those who had never been on glucose-lowering medications, and with their glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels below the diabetic range (< 6.5%) at presentation were categorized as new-onset diabetes. [Research Square](https://www.researchsquare.com/article/rs-2405391/v1) preprint* server showed the clinical possibility that the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) heightens the risk of developing diabetes mellitus (DM), supporting diabetes screening in those infected by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

The department says it's appealing to South Africans to vaccinate, get their boosters, and observe non-pharmaceutical interventions.

READ: That's the advice from health professionals and scientists after the country identified its first case of a coronavirus infection caused by the new, highly transmissible XBB.1.5 variant. Health professionals say South Africans should remain cautious and vigilant after the country experienced its first case of the highly transmissible XBB.1.5 Covid-19 variant.

The XBB.1.5 subvariant was detected by the University of Stellenbosch Network for Genomics Surveillance on Saturday is said to be the most transmissible to ...

So far vaccination has proved to be of assistance in avoiding hospitalisation and deaths, especially to those vulnerable." [You are invited to the ultimate holiday in paradise](https://www.jacarandafm.com/shows/drive/you-are-invited-ultimate-holiday-paradise/) The new subvariant leads to flu-like symptoms similar to the previous variants.

Head of the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (Krisp), Tulio de Oliveira, said that he did not think that the new COVID-19 variant ...

"This name 'Kraken' was just used by some scientist without any approval. JOHANNESBURG - Head of the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (Krisp), Tulio de Oliveira, said that he did not think that the new COVID-19 variant would cause much disruption in South Africa. Head of the KwaZulu-Natal Research Innovation and Sequencing Platform (Krisp), Tulio de Oliveira, said that he did not think that the new COVID-19 variant would cause much disruption in South Africa.

With the emergence of a Covid mutation, South Africans, especially the elderly and those with underlying conditions, are being urged to vaccinate against ...

You can get your first booster shot 60 days after your additional dose, followed by a second 90 days after your first booster. Your second booster is 90 days after the first and the third is 120 days after your second booster. Your additional dose and booster shot can be either J&J or Pfizer.

Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa, chairperson of the SA Medical Association, has appealed to South African communities to get vaccination and the booster shots.

The reasons for that is based on two main reasons – the first one is that the variant circulating in China is still Omicron, and it is a sub-lineage of Omicron similar to the one that caused the wave of infections around May/June in South Africa. The department stated that there was no need for the public to panic. The Department of Health released a statement on its social media platforms on Saturday. Thus, an official communication will be made in due course.” It was a very small wave of infections with very low mortality in South Africa,” said De Oliveira. We just have to be cautious,” said Mzukwa.

Professor Tulio de Oliveira, the director of the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation at Stellenbosch University, said the XBB.1.5 variants is ...

“It is the age group of (people) over 60 or people with pre-existing conditions that I would advise to take Covid-19 boosters. “We will look to establish with our scientific community how transmissible the virus is, and if the variant can cause severe disease. We will issue an official statement in due course.” It has internationally been given the nickname “Kraken” (a sea monster in Scandinavian folklore) as it is said to be more transmissible than other variants. However, due to population immunity, which means immunity through previous infection and vaccination, our wave was not deadly and we didn’t see a big increase in hospitalisations. “One of the concerns that we have noted is that there has been a big drop over the last six months in the number of people testing for Covid-19 and the number of people taking Covid-19 vaccines. We must remember that the Covid-19 pandemic is not over, and we don’t know in which direction the pandemic is headed.” “How it works is we sequence the genome of the Covid-19 swab test, and from there we are able to identify mutations and the exact variant that is circulating. “We discovered that it is still the Omicron variant in circulation, but now a sublineage of Omicron identified as XBB.1.5 has been detected.” “We are not expecting another wave of infections or any restrictions to be needed, but if you are concerned, it is advisable to get a booster vaccine to ensure that if you are infected you don’t get severe disease.” Professor Tulio de Oliveira, the director of the Centre for Epidemic Response and Innovation at Stellenbosch University, said the XBB.1.5 variant case had been detected through genome sequencing and the report on it was submitted to the Department of Health on Friday. The variant was first detected in America last October and is a descendant of Omicron, the most contagious variant of the virus.

Sunday's reopening is one of the last steps, which began last month, in Beijing's dismantling of its harsh regime.

South Korea like many other countries now requires travellers from China, Macau and Hong Kong to provide negative Covid-19 test results before departure. State broadcaster CCTV reported on Sunday that direct flights from South Korea to China were close to sold out. “It's a huge relief just to be able to go back to normal … China's management of Covid-19 was technically downgraded to “Category B” on Sunday, though many curbs have been dropped for weeks. Chinese blue chips added 0.4%, while Hong Kong shares climbed 1.4%. That is in stark contrast to the earlier regime of strict quarantines and lockdowns as China managed the virus as a “Category A” disease like the bubonic plague and cholera.

Although the move to drop quarantine is expected to boost outbound travel, several countries are demanding negative tests from visitors from China.

South Koreans are the largest group of foreign residents in China. The official newspaper of the Communist Party, the People's Daily wrote "Life is moving forward again!" One video showed people throwing traffic cones, boxes and stools at police carrying riot shields. Among the countries seeing Chinese visitors for the first time in years is Thailand. The World Health Organisation has said China is under-reporting the scale of the outbreak and international health experts estimate more than one million people in the country could die from the disease this year. in an editorial praising the government's virus policy which has moved from "preventing infection" to "preventing severe disease".

A new Covid variant has been discovered in the country, the Health Department has confirmed...

The National Department of Health has indicated it will provide more information on the detection of the XBB.1.5 variant in due course. The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness has said its surveillance and monitoring of Covid-19 cases, hospitalisations, and deaths from a number of Covid-19 variants.is ongoing. De Oliveira said "it's not any kind of virus that will cause havoc in the world" and that South Africa should not panic since we have achieved a high population immunity.