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South Africa Finds New Variant Of COVID-19 With 'Constellation Of Mutations' A new variant of the coronavirus has been found in South Africa, troubling scientists who say the strain has a high number of mutations and is likely already sparking a jump in new cases around Johannesburg. The variant, which is being referred to as the B1.1.529 variant until the World Health Organization decides to assign it a letter of the Greek alphabet, is linked to 22 positive cases in South Africa so far, as well as cases in Hong Kong and Botswana among travelers from the country. Despite only very early information about the variant, several countries moved to restrict air travel, and stocks plunged in Asia and Europe on Friday in reaction to the news. The WHO’s technical working group will meet about the new variant on Friday to assess it. It will determine whether it should be a variant of interest, meaning it has genetic changes to the original, or one of concern, which means it can spread more easily or is more resistant to therapeutics and public health measures. “Early analysis shows that this variant has a large number of mutations that require and will undergo further study. It will take a few weeks for us to understand what impact this variant has,” the organization said in a statement emailed to HuffPost. “You can be rest assured that as people move in the next coming weeks, this [variant] will be all over,” Dr. Joe Phaahla, South Africa’s health minister, said at a media briefing on Thursday. “Over the last four or five days, there has been more of an exponential rise [in cases].” Several variants of COVID-19 have been cause for concern as the virus mutates, including the highly transmissible delta strain. Mutations are a prime fear among health officials, who worry new strains of the coronavirus could bypass the effectiveness of vaccines that have aided the reopening of society and limited severe illness and death among inoculated people. Tulio de Oliveira, a professor at South Africa’s Network for Genomic Surveillance, said the new variant announced Thursday has a “very unusual constellation of mutations,” including more than 30 mutations in its spike proteins, which is responsible for the virus’s transmissibility. “We can see that the variant is potentially spreading very fast” de Oliveira said at the briefing, per the AP. “We do expect to start seeing pressure in the healthcare system in the next few days and weeks.” Cases in South Africa had remained low in recent months, but the country is dealing with a new wave of infections that increased quickly this week. More than 1,200 cases were found on Wednesday, a figure that jumped to nearly 2,500 on Thursday. But the British government took immediate steps amid concern over its spread, banning flights from South Africa and five other African nations from noon on Friday. Those who have recently arrived from the nations will be required to take a test. South Africa Finds New Variant Of COVID-19 With 'Constellation Of Mutations' | HuffPost Latest News Here it comes: Europe Records First Case of COVID Super-Mutant in Belgium The new heavily mutated COVID strain that experts have warned could be the most dangerous variant yet has already made its way to Europe. According to The Guardian, Belgium has identified a B.1.1.529 case in an unvaccinated young adult woman who had recently been traveling in Egypt and Turkey. The unnamed woman said she hadn’t been to South Africa or other countries in southern Africa, where the variant is believed to have originated. The new variant has 32 mutations and will likely be called Nu, the 13th letter in the Greek alphabet, if officially designated a variant of concern, but it’s currently known to virologists as B.1.1.529. Earlier Friday, the European Union followed Britain in moving to ban flights from Southern Africa in a bid to slow down the spread of the variant. Britain’s Transport Secretary Grant Shapps described B.1.1.529 as “the most significant variant” to develop since the start of the pandemic. Europe Records First Case of COVID Super-Mutant in Belgium (thedailybeast.com)

FOR THE ANTIVAXXERS:

COVID Strain With ‘Horrific’ Mutations Spreads in South Africa Health authorities are rushing to investigate a new variant of COVID-19 that originated in Botswana, has been spreading in South African, and appears to have a “horrific” number of mutations. It’s not yet clear how much of a threat the strain—which likely emerged from someone infected with both HIV and COVID—poses, but scientists are concerned it could trigger a fourth wave in South Africa, where only a third of adults are vaccinated. “Here is a mutation variant of serious concern,” Health Minister Joe Phaahla said at a briefing on Thursday, according to Bloomberg News. “We were hopeful that we might have a longer break in between waves—possibly that it would hold off to late December or even next year January.” COVID Strain With ‘Horrific’ Mutations Spreads in South Africa (thedailybeast.com)

So long as there is money to be made....

Celebration may be premature- this is likely to be tied up in appeals long enough for the next GOP president to pardon them.

You must know only tame women.

A bogus sport. Anyone can outrun a barrel.

I did nor know you were a connoisseur of such. TMI.

Women would want men's nude volleyball.

'Get vaccinated': Aaron Rodgers comes down with painful COVID condition after refusing the vaccine COVID-19 can leave patients a variety of lingering symptoms — even if one recovers and tests negative for the virus. American football star Aaron Rodgers, a quarterback for the Green Bay Packers, appears to be an example. Although he has recovered from his infection, Rodgers told "The Pat McAfee Show" that he continues to suffer from a painful condition known as "COVID toe" in his pinky toe. The Daily Beast, reporting on Rodgers, notes that dermatologists have told the Wall Street Journal that COVID toe "is common among younger people who battled the virus" and that it "is a sign of the body's enduring immune response…. It can be extremely painful, however, and leave lesions on toes and turn them purple."

Whatthehell was she on? There ought to be a real good market for it.

You reminded her of your shortcomings.

Its gonna be a drought of Bomber news for the next couple of weeks, so we had better milk this for all its worth.

I find this so emblematic of America. Essentially useless police, an emasculated criminal justice system that provides no punishment for the favoured, with the only recourse being a resorting to what is truly important- money changing hands.

Based on past performances, Collaros +Streveler is waaay more appealing than either Collaros+McGuire or Collaros+Brown (shudder). I would bet that Strevelr has had the benefit of some very good coaching in his NFL stint. Now, will it be possible for him to join the Bombers in time? Who knows?

There are always catheters, too. The salt in road snacks can be problematic for hypertensive people. Did you know that astronauts must wear adult diapers when on space walks?

I recall a broadcast where he reported that residents in a given neighbourhood were up in arms about a group home for the developmentally delayed being proposed. He called it out for what it was -intolerance and invited the organizers to consider placing that group home in his neighbourhood.

Seven From Anti-Vax Doctors’ COVID Conference Fall Sick That includes Bruce Boros, who claimed ivermectin was keeping him healthy and said he wanted to smack his own father for getting the vaccine.

Probably better than the alternative.

The classic 1989- 5 speed Yamaha V6- very long legs on that car- the faster it went, the quieter and smoother it was. Could not outrun rust, though. Great seats for long distance driving, but you sure had to watch your speed.

Same old stories- lying Tories. One rule for everyone else, one rule for themselves.

Duplicate post-sorry.

And they are probably not done with the gallows march.

Taurus SHO