Scientists have produced evidence that the pandemic virus is 'uniquely adapted to infect humans', raising fresh questions over whether its origins were natural or could have occurred in a laboratory.
Where did the Coronavirus 19 Originate from? and anything relative to the virus.
Where did the Coronavirus 19 originate from? and anything relative to the virus.
Coronavirus is 'uniquely adapted to infect humans': Top vaccine scientist says it could only have come from an animal through a 'freak of nature' - and the possibility it leaked from Wuhan lab MUST be investigated
Australia's COVID cases are rising in the lead-up to New Year'sExperts are urging people to take precautionary measures as the new JN.1 strain spreads throughout the community.What is the JN.1 strain?JN.1 is closely related to BA.2.86, informally called "Pirola", a fellow Omicron variant thatfirst emerged in July.
The two variants are nearly identical, according to the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), except for a single difference in their spike proteins, the part of the virus that allows it to invade human cells. COVID infections are rising globally, as the highly infectious JN.1 strain spreads throughout communities.Cases in Australia are thought to be much higher than those reported, due to low testing rates.Experts are urging people to stay vaccinated and exercise caution while socialising during the festive season.For the third New Year’s in a row, Australia is in the grips of a COVID wave – the country’s eighth to date – with more than 1,400 fresh cases reported nationally over the past week.
The uptick has been taking shape for months, as infections, hospitalisations, and deaths have steadily risen. It also reflects worldwide trends.
Globally, 850 000 new cases were reported during the 28-day period of 20 November to 17 December 2023, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). That is a 52 percent increase compared to the previous 28-day period.
As WHO’s latest "variant of interest" the JN.1 strain, continues to spread throughout the community, and with the festive season well underway, experts are urging people to take precautionary measures and prepare for case numbers to further increase.