IHU variant detected in France “not a threat”, says WHO

IHU variant found in France "not a threat", says WHO

Jan 7 2022

The World Health Organization has stated that the new IHU COVID-19 variant detected in France is not of concern. The variant was first found in Marseille after health authorities detected 12 cases in the port city.

The WHO’s COVID incident manager Abdi Mahmud has stated that the variant had been on their radar since November but did not show signs of wide spread over the following two months.

Lots of chat about B.1.640.2 in the last few days – just a few points to keep in mind:
– B.1.640.2 actually predates Omicron
– in all that time there are exactly… 20 sequences (compared to the >120k Omis in less time)
Def not one worth worrying about too much at the mo…

— Tom Peacock (@PeacockFlu) January 3, 2022

It was reported that the variant has 46 mutations, more than the Omicron variant. Variants are deemed of ‘concern’ when they exhibit an increase in transmissibility or increase in virulence or decrease in vaccine effectiveness. In a research publication that has yet to be peer-reviewed, researchers have stated that it is still early to speculate on the epidemiological, virological or clinical consequences based on the 12 cases detected in France.

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Dog escapes car wreck to lead police to save injured owner

Jan 6 2022

German Shepherd Tinsley was credited with helping to save her owner after she managed to escape a car wreck and lead police back to the incident scene.

New Hampshire police initially thought Tinsley was lost when they found her out by herself. The dog managed to indicate that she wanted to show the officers something.

She kept running away but not totally, police officer Lt. Daniel Baldassarre said. Her behaviour indicated a kind of ‘follow me’ attitude.

The officers thankfully paid enough attention to follow her to find a damaged guardrail near a Vermont interstate junction just across the state line.

According to Fox 13 News, police looked down to where the dog was looking at and were completely taken aback. The rest of the assistance arrived on the scene shortly to help a driver and passenger after their vehicle rolled over in the crash.

Tinsley stood by her owner, but a bulldog who belonged to the passenger sadly died in the car crash. Thanks to the German Shepherd, the people involved received quick medical assistance.

It was determined that the driver was intoxicated at the time of the crash and has since been charged with driving under the influence. Police were impressed by how a household dog managed to save a couple of lives.

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Cruise-liner stopped from entering Malta due to COVID outbreak

Jan 6 2022

At least 100 positive cases of COVID-19 among 4,800 passengers of a cruise-liner have prevented the ship form entering Maltese docks.

The MSC Grandiosa has confirmed that at least 100 positive cases are present on the ship. All MSC Cruises crew members and passengers over the age of 12 are required to be fully vaccinated.

All travellers aged 2 and over must submit a pre-departure negative test. It has also been reported that all Maltese passengers on board tested negative for COVID-19.

The ship will continue it’s voyage to Palma de Mallorca, where all passengers will be tested and all those who test negative allowed to return by plane. All positive passengers have been immediately isolated in cabins with balconies.

A statement by MSC Cruises said that in line with protocol, they organise transportation back home, ‘all done in alignment with the relevant health and other authorities.’ Positive passengers will be returned back home to the expense of the cruise-liner.

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Photo Source: MSC FB

Majority of COVID patients in hospital admitted for other reasons

Jan 6 2022

Superintendent for Public Health Charmaine Gauci revealed on Thursday that the majority of patients in hospital with COVID-19 were admitted for other reasons.

The patients allegedly only tested positive for the virus during routine tests, the public health chief told Times of Malta on the ‘Ask Charmaine’ segment.

The number of patients with COVID complications being admitted to hospital is actually decreasing, with Gauci saying that this is a positive thing because it means the booster is having an effect.

According to data from the health ministry, the figure for hospitalisations rose from 22 patients on December 6 to 114 patients on January 6th. This is a 400% increase in a month, with many people admitted to hospital undergoing routine tests and some turning out positive.

The superintendent did not reveal what percentage of those in hospital with COVID are there for virus-related complications. It is also not clear how many of those patients, admitted for other illnesses, experienced deterioration in their condition due to the virus.

Health authorities globally, Malta included, have been shifting their focus on hospitalisations instead of daily cases. The vaccination rollout, which now includes children, is contributing to this refocusing.

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