Covid-19 Updates in Brief,                       Part # 12

It is almost impossible for a common person to know about the Covid-19 new researches . There are new discoveries, investigations and facts about the pandemic every day. The aim behind this series was to keep the people well informed  all  researches about Covid-19 and its variants.

“ Covid-19 Updates in Brief, Part # 11 ” covered a period from January 01, to January 15, 2022. This part # 12 will cover a period from January 16, 2022 to January 31, 2022.

Updates.

• It is found that the Omicron variant may have reduced ability to infect the human lungs as compared to the Delta variant.
• Studies show that Omicron  variant could infect the upper airways more potentially  than the Delta variant . This will make the Omicron variant more contagious.
• Because of its  ability to escape neutralizing antibodies, the Omicron variant  could have increased transmissibility.
• Researchers are investigating the link between Covid-19 vaccines and menstrual cycle length. It was found that Covid-19 vaccines led to small temporary increase in cycle length.
• Does Sinovac work against Omicron ?. Millions people have taken Chinese- manufactured “Sinovac ‘ Covid-19 vaccine around the world. A question is arising if the Sinovac performing well against Omicron variant?. A report issued in ” Nature Medicine ” , say that scientists found that after two doses of the vaccine , ” Neutralization of Omicron was undetectable”.  They also showed that people receiving two shots of Sinovac  followed by one Pfizer-BioNTech booster , there was a 1.4 fold increase in neutralization activity against Omicron.
• Scientists do not agree with the recent trend of shortening isolation and quarantine periods for Covid-19. They measured the presence of active virus and found that 1 in 10 tested positive people for SARS-CoV-2, retain active infection for more than 10 days.
• Corona virus has puzzled the scientist especially in its mutations  . Every variant has different mutations, making it more contagiousness or disease severity.
• The SARS-CoV-2’s spike protein must be activated to enter a human cell. It happens when it is divided into pieces by an enzyme called “Furin “.
• Scientists think that mutations at the furin cleavage site might make the variant’s ability to infect or replicate in human cells.
• A new study found that  this mutation has no influence to the ability of the virus to enter or spread between cells.
• Covid-19 has changed our many habits, routine work, behavior and decision making ability.  Researchers call it ” Decision Fatigue “.
• Decision Fatigue happened when we can not decide what  to do among many tasks. The Covid-19 has affected our ability to decide quickly.
• American Psychological Association published a survey in October 2021, indicating that 32 % of adults face difficulty to make decision in very simple matters like what to wear. This is due to Covid-19 induced stress.
• The decision Fatigue originated in 1998The idea behind it was that humans have very limited capability to regulate the behavior, and after a certain point,  we run out energy to make decisions.
• W.H.O. now strongly recommend an arthritis drug called ” Baricitinib ” for sever or critical diseases.
• Researchers and scientists took some time to manufacture Covid-19 vaccine. The different types of Covid-19 have shown effective way of treatment of the pandemic  and reducing SARS-CoV=2 infection.
• The approved vaccines went through clinical tests for quality, safety and efficacy.
• A new vaccine usually take 5 to  6 years to reach a 100 % “safe ” approval for human. Since the present vaccines were manufactured with in very  short time, they were not tested for their long term side  effects.
• The present available Covid-19 vaccines have some long lasting effects which vaccinated people are facing these days.
• A recent study found that the risk of neurological complication were found  in Covid-19 vaccinated people. 60 cases of hemorrhagic stroke per 10 million people who had received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, and 123 extra events of Encephalitis Meningitis and Myelitis per 10 million people with a SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• Scientists and researchers are much worried about Omicron’s 50 mutations. Among these mutations, 30 are in the spike protein, This is the area where vaccines target.
• According to the  experts, the antibodies   generated by vaccines will not match the spike proteins of the Omicron variant . This will reduce the levels of immunity produced.
• However, the high levels of neutralizing antibodies, produced after 3 vaccine doses, will  protect  from Omicron variant’s severe symptoms.

source: medicalnewstoday.com

•  According to The ABC News, the Greek government has imposed a monthly fine to unvaccinated people over 60 years old .  The  unvaccinated for Covid-19 people of above age group will pay a 50 Euro for this month , and 100 Euro every month if they do not get vaccinated.
• The pandemic has left very bad effects on human being. The worst of them is that people ( specially American) are feeling that society will never return to the way as it was before Coid-19. However, health experts  have a different thinking. They are still hoping to return to the life as it was before pandemic.
• Covid-19 vaccines definitely have some re-actions. Some are sever , some mild and some are  long lasting. But the vaccine have more benefits as compared to side effects.
• Krystal Godri Pollitt, PhD, an assistant professor of Epidemiology at Yale University , and researchers  at the Yale School of Engineering and Applied Science, and School of Public Health have developed  a wearable device “Fresh Air Clip” which detects low level of Covid-19 virus in the air around the wearer.
• There is a new study claiming that coronavirus loses most of its ability to be transmitted from person to person 20 minutes after becoming airborne.
• The finding stress that close contact for a too long period is definitely the highest risk of transmission.
• Vaccination, wearing face mask and a physical distance are the best ways to protect our selves against Covid-19.
• It seems that there is an army of corona variants ready to raid the human being. Health authorities are investigating a new Covid-19 variant called ” Stealth Omicron ” , also called “BA.2”, which is a sub-lineage of original Omicron ( BA.1) with potential faster spreading. It is more difficult to be detected.
• If some one  is having symptoms for weeks or month after initial infection with SARS-CoV-2,  the condition is called ” Long Covid “.
• The exact cause of long Covid  and why some people may be at higher risk of developing , is not. known.
• A new study finds that women, people 40 and older, black individuals and people with preexisting health conditions may develop long Covid-19.
• Beside the Covid-19 vaccination, other precautionary steps are necessary to take. Wearing face mask is one of them. Experts recommend KN95 face mask to wear whenever you are in crowded public places.
• Wear the face mask properly , covering your nose and mouth.
• Avoid to wear fake face masks as they do not provide full protection from coronavirus.

source: healthline