Tag: coronavirus

Conservation Is The Firewall To Future Public Health Threats Says AWF Boss

Michael Gwarisa

By Michael Gwarisa In 2020, the world went into a total lockdown following the declaration of the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) as a global health pandemic. The coronavirus is an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Cases of novel coronavirus were first detected in China in December 2019, with the virus spreading rapidly to other countries worldwide. This led WHO to declare a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on 30 January 2020 and to characterise the outbreak as a pandemic on 11 March…

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Coronavirus pandemic: The worst could be over, says South African Professor

Healthtimes

JOHANNESBURG – The worst of the COVID-19 pandemic may be over, according to Professor Shabir Madhi, vaccinology Professor at Wits University. Madhi says more variants can be expected but they may not be as severe as the first three waves. He says when another variant arises it will be similar to the Omicron variant. “It’s very likely that there will be another resurgence and another variant in the coming months but when the new variant arrives it won’t perform any differently from how omicron performed,” Madhi said. “People will still…

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Partial Lockdown Applauded

Patricia Mashiri

HEALTH experts have welcomed the moved by government to put the country on a partial lockdown as means to curb the spread of the coronavirus. By Patricia Mashiri Dr Alex Gasasira, the World Health Organization Representative in Zimbabwe recently told the state media that government had taken a broad decision in announcing a partial lockdown as a way of avoiding an upsurge in COVID-19 cases. What the government of Zimbabwe is doing is in line with what the WHO recommends. It is necessary for governments to carefully review local evidence…

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#COVID-19: The Grinch Who Stole Our Christmas

Michael Gwarisa

BY definition, a Grinch is a grumpy person who spoils the pleasure of others or a party-popper. Most of you might have watched The Grinch movie by Jim Carrey or the 2018 animated version of The Grinch, a movie about a grumpy Grinch (Benedict Cumberbatch) who plots to ruin Christmas for the village of Whoville, a fictional place in the film. By Michael Gwarisa To make sure the whole of Whoville doesn’t celebrate Christmas and all the joy it brings, the Grinch spent the entire Christmas eve night stealing all…

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Oxford Coronavirus Vaccine Trial Paused After Participant Develops Rare Illness Says AstraZeneca

Healthtimes

LATE-stage trials for a leading coronavirus vaccine have been suspended after a study participant suffered a “potentially unexplained illness”. AstraZeneca has put on hold phase three trials of a vaccine being developed in collaboration with the University of Oxford. The Australian Government last month signed an agreement with the UK-based company to secure the potential COVID-19 vaccine, if its trials prove successful. In a statement, AstraZeneca said it “voluntarily paused” the phase 3 clinical trial — which kicked off in July — to allow a review of the “single event”…

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Children Under 5 Could Spread Coronavirus More Than Adults- New Study

Michael Gwarisa

CHILDREN below the age of five could be major carriers of the coronavirus as compared to adults, a new study has found. By Michael Gwarisa According to the study “Age-Related Differences in Nasopharyngeal Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Levels in Patients With Mild to Moderate Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19),” which was  published in JAMA Pediatrics and led by Dr. Taylor Heald-Sargent, a pediatric infectious diseases expert at the Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, children are susceptible to infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2…

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New study reveals Oxford coronavirus vaccine produces strong immune response

Healthtimes

A team of scientists at Oxford University’s Jenner Institute and Oxford Vaccine Group has taken the next step towards the discovery of a safe, effective and accessible vaccine against coronavirus. HealthTimes Reporter The results of the Phase I/II trial published today in the scientific journal, The Lancet, indicate no early safety concerns and induces strong immune responses in both parts of the immune system. The vaccine provoked a T cell response within 14 days of vaccination (white blood cells that can attack cells infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus), and an antibody…

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#COVID-19: WHO Warns Of Second Coronavirus Peak

NewsRoom

THE World Health Organisation (WHO), has warned of a second peak of Coronavirus (COVID-19) amidst indications that the disease is currently in its first phase of infection the world over. HeanthTimes Reporter Briefing journalists on Monday, Dr. Mike Ryan, executive director of WHO’s Health Emergencies Programme, said right now, we are “right in the middle of the first wave, globally.” “We’re still very much in a phase where the disease is actually on the way up,” he added. We need to be also cognizant of the fact that the disease…

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Medical Solutions Donates Face Shields To Harare and Bulawayo City Councils

Michael Gwarisa

RECENTLY Standards Association of Zimbabwe (SAZ) certified medical equipment manufacturer, Medical Solutions Zimbabwe has donated a total of 200 face shields towards the Zimbabwe COVID-19 battle. By Michael Gwarisa In an interview with HealthTimes soon after the handover event, Medical Solutions Director, Shepard Chakanza said the 200 face shields would be distributed evenly between the Harare and Bulawayo City councils health departments to advance the fight against the raging COVID-19 pandemic. We went to Wilkins  after we were told by the City of Harare to go and make a donation…

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20 Years In Jail For Spreading Fake News On COVID-19

NewsRoom

 THE government has gazetted tough new laws that could see people spending up to 20 years in prison for spreading fake news on the novel coronavirus. SOURCE: NEWSDAY According to Statutory Instrument 83 of 2020, people who peddle information deemed false by the government face up to 20 years in prison, a hefty fine or both. “For the avoidance of doubt any person who publishes or communicates false news about any public officer involved with enforcing or implementing the national lockdown in his or her capacity as such, or about…

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