Covid variant Pirola spreading fast across the US as new boosters planned for this month: Coronavirus guidelines

The World Health Organization (WHO) is monitoring a new variant of the coronavirus that could potentially lead to a spike in Covid-19 cases.

The BA.X strain, also known as BA.2.86, was placed on the health agency’s watch list on Thursday due to the “large number of mutations it carries.”

Only three cases of the new strain were discovered in Denmark and Israel, with another later discovered in the United States.

Alisha Rahaman Sarkar Reports:

A new symptom of Long-Covid has been discovered by scientists from the University of Leeds.

Although most people who contract Covid recover within a few days or weeks of experiencing the first symptoms, some people can experience longer, more persistent symptoms, classified by the NHS as long-Covid or post-Covid-19 syndrome.

A virulent new strain of Covid-19 has been discovered during sewage testing in Ohio, the third state to report the vaccine-resistant variant.

Experts are keeping an eye on the BA.2.86 variant because it has the potential to infect people who have previously had Covid or have been vaccinated, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in a risk assessment released Wednesday.

The CDC said it was too early to determine whether BA.2 86, also known as the “Pirola” variant, could cause more severe disease than previous strains, but was concerned about the large number of genetic mutations compared to previous strains .

More testing is needed to confirm whether the variant is Pirola, the CDC said.

The discovery comes as the number of new Covid hospitalizations rose 21.6 percent this week, with an estimated 2,000 Americans requiring specialist care each day, according to figures released this week by the CDC.

The health department expects hospital admissions to increase significantly in the coming weeks and has superseded a previous forecast that admissions would remain stable.

Lionsgate has ordered almost half of its employees to wear masks in the workplace as Covid cases surge in the United States.

The entertainment production company, which has a London-based film division, recently told employees at its flagship Santa Monica, California, facility that those on the third and fifth floors of the five-story building must wear protective medical gear.

Updated Covid vaccines are expected to be available in the US next month amid growing concerns about a new variant called Eris.

The CDC recommends keeping up to date on Covid vaccines and booster shots annually in addition to getting the flu shot. Elderly and immunocompromised people in particular are recommended to get vaccinated to reduce the risk of more severe symptoms.

A Vermont man has been sentenced to two years in prison for using more than $650,000 in pandemic aid towards personal expenses, including opening an alpaca farm.

Dana McIntyre, 59, received government funding through the Payment Protection Program for his former Massachusetts pizza joint in March 2020. Prosecutors said he claimed he had 50 employees who received $666,000 when in fact he had fewer than 10.

He then used the money to buy a farm in Vermont and eight alpacas.

Cognitive problems related to Long-Covid can be caused by blood clots, according to a new study.

A study published in Nature Medicine looked at more than 1,800 adults hospitalized with Covid and found that elevated levels of two proteins – fibrinogen and D-dimer – were more common in people with long-lasting Covid symptoms affecting their brains had affected. Both proteins are a sign of blood clots in the body.

As mask recommendations increase due to increases in cases, the CDC is reminding people how to look after masks.

The agency’s guidance recommends throwing away single-use masks after they’ve been worn once.

Cloth masks should be washed “at least once a day or as soon as they get wet or dirty.” If a cloth mask gets wet or dirty, it should be sealed in a plastic bag until you can wash it to prevent mold.

Dry and clean cloth masks should be stored in a breathable pouch to keep them clean between washes.

For respirators, individuals should check with the manufacturer how long they can be worn before they need to be discarded. Any disposable mask or respirator that gets wet or dirty should be discarded immediately. The agency stressed not to wear a wet or dirty mask.

A Florida family has been found guilty of selling toxic industrial bleach as a fake cure for Covid-19 through their online church.

Four family members were convicted by a federal jury in Miami on Wednesday — Mark Grenon, 65, and his sons Jonathan, 37, Joseph, 35, and Jordan, 29, according to the AP.

According to court documents, they were found guilty of conspiracy to defraud the United States and supply mislabeled drugs. The charge carries a prison sentence of up to five years. The verdict will be announced on October 6th.