Virus

In the space of two weeks, the omicron variant has sent South Africa from a period of low transmission to rapid growth of new confirmed cases. The country’s numbers are still relatively low, with 2,828 new confirmed cases recorded Friday, but omicron’s speed in infecting young South Africans has alarmed health professionals.
“We’re seeing a marked change in the demographic profile of patients with COVID-19,” Rudo Mathivha, head of the intensive care unit at Soweto’s Baragwanath Hospital, told an online press briefing.
“Young people, in their 20s to just over their late 30s, are coming in with moderate to severe disease, some needing intensive care. About 65% are not vaccinated and most of the rest are only half-vaccinated,” said Mathivha. “I’m worried that as the numbers go up, the public health care facilities will become overwhelmed.”

A widely-shared quote from a South African doctor, saying Omicron causes only mild symptoms, is being taken out of context. She was referring to a small group of young, healthy people and warned of severe disease in other groups https://t.co/QNf2WGRwAJ pic.twitter.com/hJ3M3VglXW

— BNO Newsroom (@BNODesk) November 27, 2021

South African demographics are very different from those in the UK. Only about six per cent of the population are over the age of 65. This means that older individuals who are more vulnerable to the virus may take some time to present.

Israel to ban entry of all foreigners over Omicron variant https://t.co/TR8H0Z4Z8Y

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) November 28, 2021

We'll know much more about Omicron soon......
Excellent summary of where we stand, including the lab tests underway, by @kakape @ScienceMagazine https://t.co/7ypVVGvYPG pic.twitter.com/N4rTIty9z8

— Eric Topol (@EricTopol) November 27, 2021

And if you would like further evidence of why there is no hope for humans, now we know that stat and still probably 30% of ppl are wearing no mask or only over mouth. Dutch authorities not enforcing. We’re just all in this unventilated room at hour 12, breathing on each other.

— Stephanie Nolen (@snolen) November 27, 2021

welcome omicron! pic.twitter.com/nZIje8Ek1b

— Fr. Miller (@FrMiller) November 28, 2021

The Omicron Variant sounds like a 60’s sci-fi movie pic.twitter.com/CAAZJaRtqm

— Christopher Miller (@chrizmillr) November 27, 2021

plavaivy wrote:curi mi nos i kijam u naletima..temp mi ne ide preko 36,9 ali me je nocas jako bolela glava i morala sam popiti aspirin da bih se jutros probudila bez cula mirisa   dosta je cudan trip..a videcu o tome tek kad pocnem da kuvam i na sta ce to liciti 

kolomast wrote:

Otac je to imao pre 40 godina

kolomast wrote:

Otac je to imao pre 40 godina

People who have returned from:
South Africa, Botswana, Malawi, Lesotho, Swaziland, Namibia, Mozambique and Zimbabwe on Monday 22 November 2021 or after, are called upon to be tested, even if they have no complaints.

A special telephone number has been opened for these people where they can make a test appointment. That number is 0800-5005.

NSW Health has confirmed two returned travellers have tested positive for the new Omicron COVID-19 variant in Sydney, making them the first known cases of the strain in Australia.

The two positive cases are in isolation in the state's Special Health Accommodation.

Both people, who are fully vaccinated and were asymptomatic, arrived in Sydney from southern Africa on Saturday, November 27.

They are among 14 people who arrived on Qatar Airways QR908, Doha to Sydney, about 7pm.

The remaining 12 passengers from southern Africa are undertaking 14 days of hotel quarantine, also in the Special Health Accommodation.

NSW Health said about 260 passengers and air crew who were also on the flight are considered close contacts and have been directed to isolate for 14 days regardless of their test result.

On Saturday, NSW Health changed its advice for international travellers returning to Sydney as a precaution to stem the spread of the new Omicron B.1.1.529 variant.

Anyone arriving in the state from the nine impacted southern African countries — South Africa, Lesotho, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Namibia, Eswatini, Malawi, and the Seychelles — is now required to go into hotel quarantine for 14 days.

That is irrespective of their vaccine status and brings NSW in line with measures also announced by the federal government.

Travellers from other countries are now also required to immediately go to their place of residence or accommodation and isolate for 72 hours pending further health advice.

Observations from clinicians on the ground are always important, and we lean heavily on them, but we need to be cautious about jumping on early reports that all cases with this variant are mild

— Richard Lessells (@rjlessells) November 27, 2021

Most of the early spread was amongst younger people, with outbreaks in universities likely being amplification events. You can see the age patterns in the figures in the excellent weekly🧵from @tomtom_m https://t.co/jmVkC8neRj

— Richard Lessells (@rjlessells) November 27, 2021

We have robust surveillance systems in place with @nicd_sa @HealthZA to monitor hospitalisations and to link to PCR and sequencing data, so we are well placed to answer the key questions over the coming days and weeks

— Richard Lessells (@rjlessells) November 27, 2021

Ovaj kovid virus se češće apdejtuje od mog Samsunga

— Omlet Sa Slaninom (@bozha_g) November 27, 2021

Del Cap wrote:

The Omicron Variant sounds like a 60’s sci-fi movie pic.twitter.com/CAAZJaRtqm

— Christopher Miller (@chrizmillr) November 27, 2021

plavaivy wrote:curi mi nos i kijam u naletima..temp mi ne ide preko 36,9 ali me je nocas jako bolela glava i morala sam popiti aspirin da bih se jutros probudila bez cula mirisa   dosta je cudan trip..a videcu o tome tek kad pocnem da kuvam i na sta ce to liciti 

plavaivy wrote:inace smo isterali svu kamping opremu po sobi    prosle nedelje,na pocetku smo uspostavili cajnu stanicu sa nasim Primus gorionikom koji se pokazao kao jedna od boljih kupovima da ne moramo da izlazimo a sada sam iscerala i kamperski sto i stolice jer stvarno ne mogu da jedem za niskim kafenim stocicem i na trosedu