UK health officials announce 2nd new COVID-19 strain

Convicted rapist and murderer Wayne Couzens has been placed in isolation after catching coronavirus in prison with reports suggesting he is "suffering badly".

Train services are set to increase again as ScotRail recovers from staff shortages following a Covid surge over the festive period.

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WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 1: Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) speaks during a news conference after a lunch meeting with Senate Republicans on Capitol Hill February 1, 2022 in Washington, DC. McConnell told reporters he disagrees with fo WASHINGTON - Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell is going against the Republican National Committee calling the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Deputy Director-General of Public Health Services, Dr. Hemanth Herath has slammed the organizing of mass gatherings in the wake of the COVID-19 spread in the island.‘This is not something that needs to be said over again.

Truckers paralysing the Canadian capital in anger at Covid rules show no sign of backing down, as several of the nation's provinces announced it was time to roll back restrictions that count among the world's toughest.

First nasal spray for covid-19 treatment in India: For the treatment of adult patients suffering from Covid-19, pharma company Glenmark has launched Nitric Oxide Nasal Spray (FabiSpray) in India. The nasal spray was launched by the pharma company in partnership with SaNOtize. "Phase 3 trial in India met the key endpoints and demonstrated reduction of viral load of 94 per cent in 24 hours and 99 per cent in 48 hours. Nitric Oxide Nasal Spray (NONS) was safe and well-tolerated in COVID-19 patients. Glenmark to market NONS under the brand name FabiSpray," the company said in a statement.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.Never miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!!

ladies tights such as pantyhose on your face could reduce the risk of getting Covid, more so than masks.A major risk identified with commonly worn face masks is that they do not fit tightly enough to block viral particles from being inhaled or exhaled significantly.Cambridge University researchers have tested seven hacks to improve the fit of masks.Their new study outlined DIY hacks people have used to make masks fit better, including using rubber bands or tape.They found the most effective tactic was to wrap pantyhose around the bottom half of the face or on top of a mask.Researchers have said that this could reduce the number of viral particles by up to seven times more than a loose mask on its own by sealing the gaps around the nose and mouth.They raised that the social and physical impact of wearing tights on your face in public was "unlikely to be tolerated for an extended period of time".Tight-fitting medical masks are great at blocking out the virus, but many describe them as uncomfortable.The study raised that the most common surgical or cloth masks are far less resistant to Covid.Cambridge researchers recruited four volunteers to try seven different mask hacks - the study looked at both surgical and KN95 masks.Other methods included tying the ear bands to make the masks fit more tightly or stuffing the gaps with bandages.Participants did seven minutes of various exercises designed to mimic real-world interactions such as talking, smiling, nodding and eating.The researchers measured how well the masks fit by monitoring the filtration efficiency and calculating a 'fit factor' score.Pantyhose and cloth tape were most effective, increasing the fit factor by 27.7 and 14.7.Surgical masks performed better if worn in

Epik High frontman Tablo has tested positive for COVID-19.OURS, Epik High’s management agency, confirmed the news through a press statement released earlier today (February 9).“Tablo experienced minor symptoms on February 3 and underwent PCR testing, and his results came back negative the next day (January 4),” the agency said, as translated by Soompi. “However, he voluntarily got tested again on February 8, and his results came back positive this morning.”The statement also noted that the rest of Epik High and staff members who were recently in contact with Tablo underwent rapid antigen testing following the hip-hop artist’s diagnosis.

New Zealand anti-vaccine mandate protesters faced off with police outside parliament today, as demonstrators camped inside the Wellington legislature's grounds vowed to stay "as long as it takes".

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney has announced the province’s public health restrictions will now be lifting, while a blockade of protesters demanding an end to mandates resumes at the U.S.-Canada border crossing near Coutts. Heather Yourex-West looks at the province’s plan, and whether it will be enough to satiate demonstrators.

Director Kamika Bianca Guerra-Walker joins Global News’ Linda Olsen to discuss how she is using her experiences growing up Black in Calgary and how that has inspired her art.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continues to press hard on the importance of COVID-19 vaccines. But Quebec Liberal MP Joël Lightbound is challenging his own government’s strategy, demanding Trudeau to stop driving up divisions and deliver a roadmap to end public health mandates.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Thousands of Sri Lankan health workers are on strike for the third consecutive day, citing several demands.The trade unions demand that the authorities eliminate existing salary disparities in the sector just as they eliminated the teacher and principal salary anomalies.Health workers across Sri Lanka including nurses, and Public Health Inspectors are on strike citing multiple demands.They resorted to the indefinite trade union action from Monday (7).As a result of the strike activities at the Colombo General Hospital, Kandy General Hospital, 24 Teaching Hospitals, 26 General Hospitals, 46 Base Hospitals, 410 District Hospitals, and 293 MOH Officers came to a complete standstill.

PHILADELPHIA - Investigators with the Philadelphia Police Department are searching for two men wanted in connection with an armed robbery at a Domino’s Pizza in North Philadelphia. According to police, the robbery took place on Monday around 1:00 a.m. at the location on 2628 N.

China enacted a similar traffic light change after one case was detected in November, only to repeal it amid outcry on social media. 

Freedom Convoy” trucks and say their presence “complicates” efforts to end the demonstration.More than 100 of the trucks remaining as part of the nearly two-week-long protest in downtown Ottawa are estimated to have kids living in them, OPS Deputy Chief Steve Bell told media in a briefing Tuesday afternoon.“Almost 25 per cent of the 418 trucks have children living in them — children who could be at risk during a police operation,” Bell said.“There’s a multitude of concerns” he said, citing effects from carbon monoxide, diesel fumes, cold, noise and a lack of access to sanitation on kids. Trucker convoy — Here’s what the 10-day injunction against horns includes Ottawa police have tapped the Children’s Aid Society (CAS) for advice on how to proceed with enforcement operations in the downtown core.They’re not seeking to take the kids out of the trucks or away from their parents at this stage, Bell said, but will follow the recommendations of CAS.“We’re not at the stage of looking to do any sort of enforcement activity around that,” he said.“We just think it’s an important factor that complicates and makes this an even more challenging operation.”To date, police and bylaw officers have issued more than 1,300 tickets for traffic violations, made 23 arrests and have 85 active criminal investigations related to the protest, which began as a response to vaccination mandates but has expanded to include a wide umbrella of anti-government sentiment.OPS are also liaising with U.S.

COVID-19: Kenney announces Alberta vaccine passport program ending at midnight In a letter to school authorities, Education Minister Adriana LaGrange outlined the impact that relaxing COVID-19 restrictions will have on schools and students.“I have been encouraged to see a downward trend in the number of Alberta schools shifted to at-home learning over the last few weeks,” she said.“At the peak of the fifth wave, there were 29 schools that were shifted to at-home learning, and today, only seven of the over 2,500-plus schools in our province remain learning at home.”Please see my letter to school authorities below: pic.twitter.com/Z3sph78dDv— Adriana LaGrange (@AdrianaLaGrange) February 9, 2022LaGrange said the masking requirement that will be removed effective Feb. 14 will apply to any students in schools or on school buses.

Winter Olympics since 1998 in Nagano, Japan.She has a decade’s worth of knitted red mittens, purchased every year since their debut as part of the Canadian Olympic uniform in 2010.But this year Reid says she won’t be buying anything, because after the merchandising partnership changed hands from Hudson’s Bay to Lululemon, she considers the prices too steep to justify.“They were a great, affordable way to show Canadian Olympic pride and some of the money goes to support our national team,” Reid says of her iconic mittens.“I looked at the Lululemon site and I was pretty surprised to see the prices. I was OK with The Bay’s mittens going up to $20, but $68 for a pair is too much for me.”Reid isn’t alone.

₹808 crore to families of 1,616 deceased healthcare workers from 33 states and UTs, who were involved in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya in a written reply to a question in Rajya Sabha on Tuesday.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Sri Lanka’s Health Ministry said that it is conducting a study on the possibility of vaccinating children below the age of 12.Deputy Director-General of Health Services, Dr. G.

direct to your inboxMore areas in England are expected to be placed into tougher lockdown restrictions when the Health Secretary outlines changes to the tiers on Wednesday.Matt Hancock will address MPs in the House of Commons on the four-tier system after key legislation on the post-Brexit trade deal has been passed. The government's Covid-19 Operations committee is set to meet on Tuesday evening, where it is believed a decision will be made on areas moving into different tiers.

Matt Hancock will announce changes to Covid-19 tiers in the House of Commons tomorrow.

A French man has tested positive for the new Covid-19 strain after recently travelling from London.

Good Morning Britain 's Dr Sarah Jarvis has admitted she is terrified about the new South African strain of Covid, which could cause more serious illness in younger people.

Matt Hancock said on Wednesday.South Africa's health department said last week that a new genetic mutation of the virus had been discovered and might be responsible for a recent surge in infections there."Thanks to the impressive genomic capability of the South Africans, we've detected two cases of another new variant of coronavirus here in the UK," Hancock told a media briefing."Both are contacts of cases who have travelled from South Africa over the past few weeks."Britain is already trying to curb the spread of a mutated strain of the virus which is up to 70% more transmissible, and further studies aerie being carried out on the new variant.Also Read | Inside the farmer disquiet at Delhi’s doorstep"This new variant is highly concerning,

coronavirus will look from Boxing Day.

England cricket stars are facing a nervous wait to hear if they must go into quarantine over Christmas and the New Year - which could potentially put their tour of Sri Lanka in jeopardy.

coronavirus which is more infectious and spreading among young people.The variant, referred to as 501.V2, has now detected in the UK and is thought to be more transmissible.Prof Salim Abdool Karim, the chairman of the South African Government’s ministerial advisory committee (MAC), earlier warned it is spreading faster than South Africa’s first wave.The strain makes up approximately 80-90% of new cases in the country.A much higher viral load – a greater amount of the virus – has been picked up in nasal swabs taken from patients suffering from the variant.

coronavirus that causes COVID-19 has been found in Britain in cases linked to South Africa, British Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Wednesday.South Africa’s health department said last week that a new genetic mutation of the virus had been discovered and might be responsible for a recent surge in infections there.“Thanks to the impressive genomic capability of the South Africans, we’ve detected two cases of another new variant of coronavirus here in the U.K.,” Hancock told a media briefing.“Both are contacts of cases who have travelled from South Africa over the past few weeks.”Britain is already trying to curb the spread of a mutated strain of the virus which is up to 70 per cent more transmissible, and further studies are being

direct to your inboxAnother new fast-spreading strain of coronavirus has been identified in the UK.Matt Hancock said two cases of the new variant have so far been reported.The new strain is thought to be linked to South Africa, the Health Secretary said during a Downing Street press conference on Wednesday.Mr Hancock said the new variant is 'highly concerning' because it is 'yet more transmissible' and appears to have mutated further than the previous new variant that has been discovered in the UK in recent days.That fast-spreading mutant variant was discovered in parts of London and the South East.Concerns over the new UK-based variant have resulted in the implementation of new tougher Tier 4 restrictions in affected areas.Speaking of the

Christmas amid a new strain of Covid-19. Health secretary Matt Hancock said that two cases of a “more transmissible” variant linked to South Africa have been identified in the UK.

coronavirus variant from South Africa has been identified in the UK, Health Secretary Matt Hancock said on Wednesday.Addressing the UK from No.10, Mr Hancock said two cases of a new Covid variant from South Africa have been identified in the UK.He said both cases have been linked to contacts of people who have travelled from South Africa into the country in the last two weeks.Mr Hancock said the new variant is "highly concerning" and "more transmissible" than the first variant identified in England at the end of September. The Health Secretary added that it appears the South African variant has also "mutated further," and the Government is now taking action.

Millions more people in England will face escalated Covid-19 lockdown measures from St Stephens Day, as ministers acknowledged mounting concern about the spread of coronavirus.

With the rate of new cases of Covid-19 rising in nine out of 10 local authorities across England, some parts of the country might be about to see a change to their alert level.

BSE Sensex, rattled into dropping 3% on Monday by the UK’s detection of a highly infectious strain of coronavirus, regained some of its nerve on Tuesday, rising about 1%. The session saw a couple of big swings, and it was not until midday that India’s main stock index began looking up.

direct to your inboxFamilies across the UK have had to dramatically scale back their Christmas plans after the government introduced changes to restrictions.Plans to allow a five-day period of relaxations have been scrapped amid a rising number of infections in the south of England, which is believed to have been caused by a new highly transmissible strain of coronavirus.Health secretary Matt Hancock said the country was facing an “enormous challenge” in bringing the latest outbreak under control and that tough new restrictions may be needed for months to come.Millions of people in England have been put under new Tier 4 restrictions, which ban them from forming a Christmas bubble, while Scotland has introduced a travel ban and Wales has

Around 500,000 people have had the coronavirus vaccine despite the Health Secretary saying he expected millions to get the jab by Christmas.

Boris Johnson is leading a Downing Street press conference later after he held crisis talks with ministers as France banned lorries carrying freight from the UK. Some nations around the world imposed a travel ban from the UK following the new mutant strain of coronavirus which Health Secretary, Matt Hancock, admitted is now "out of control".

Covid-19 strain that is believed to have first festered in the UK.

Millions of people in London and the South East have been placed under new Tier 4 restrictions, with Health Secretary Matt Hancock warning the new measures could last for months and be extended UK-wide.

Reuters quoted a spokeswoman for PM Boris Johnson's office as saying.Also Read | Inside the rumble in India’s coding jungleOn Covid-19 curbs, Britain's health minister said London and southeast England may stay under tighter restrictions for some time.

70% more infectious variant of coronavirus was reported.The Canadian government held a meeting to discuss the new strain of the virus.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held the meeting as a number of European countries announced travel restrictions for UK passengers.Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced earlier this weekend tier 4 restrictions for millions of people, along with the closure of non-essential shops.The move comes as a new variant of the coronavirus is "spreading fast" and is "out of control" according to Health Secretary Matt Hancock.Before the meeting, Bloc Quebecois Leader Yves-Francois Blanchet called on the Canadian government to impose a travel ban, reports CTV News.In a statement released in French, he said: "It will be

A growing number of European nations have banned flights from the UK in a bid to stop a mutant strain of coronavirus crossing their borders.

coronavirus strain.Also Read | Inside the rumble in India’s coding jungle"The patient and their partner returned from the United Kingdom several days ago, landing in Rome's Fiumicino airport.

Brexit trade talks may grind on through Christmas and go to the wire on December 31 as the UK tries to get Brussels to budge on key stumbling blocks.

Well, this is absolutely horrifying…