Study suggests cannabis compounds stop COVID-19 infections

Jan 12 2022

A study published this week found that compounds in cannabis can prevent infection from the virus which causes COVID-19 by blocking entry into cells.

The study was published by researchers affiliated with Oregon State University, with a report on the research called ‘Cannabinoids Block Cellular Entry of SARS-CoV-2 and the Emerging Variants’ published online by the Journal of Natural Products.

The researchers stated that two cannabinoid acids commonly found in hemp varietals of cannabis, CBGA and CBDA, can bind to the spike protein of SARS-CoV-2.

Allegedly, by binding to the spike protein, the compounds can prevent the virus from entering cells and causing infection, potentially offering new avenues to prevent and treat the virus.

In an abstract for the study, the researchers wrote that ‘orally bioavailable and with a long history of safe human use, these cannabinoids, isolated of in hemp extracts, have the potential to prevent as well as treat infection by SARS-CoV-2.’

Although further research is needed, study leader Richard van Breemen said that the study shows the cannabinoids could be developed into drugs to prevent or treat COVID-19, with the cannabinoids being allegedly effective against new variants as well.

The researcher added that resistant variants could still arise amid widespread use of cannabinoids but the combination of vaccination and CBDA/CBGA treatment ‘should make for a much more challenging environment for SARS-CoV-2.

#MaltaDaily

Murder suspect Abner Aquilina has been discharged from Mount Carmel

Jan 12 2022

The lead suspect in the Sliema murder case which took the life of 29-year-old Polish woman Paulina Dembska has been discharged from state mental health hospital Mount Carmel.

Abner Aquilina will be continuing his police interrogation but it is not yet known what staff at Mount Carmel have concluded about his mental health.

He is however cleared to continue being questioned by the police. They are expected to charge Aquilina in the coming days with the murder of Dembska and they have 48 hours to charge him in court or release him on police bail.

The autopsy confirmed that Dembska was raped and strangled, suffering head injuries and marks on her neck which indicated suffocation.

Police have also determined it was a random killing and there were no ties between Aquilina and the victim. Interrogations were paused after psychiatric experts were called in to assess whether he was fit to continue facing investigator’s questions when doubts started to be raised about his mental state.

Aquilina had told police that he was God’s work but the devil had entered his thoughts when the attack happened. This is a developing story…

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Fate of Air Malta to be revealed in next few days; Minister to meet unions amid financial concerns

Jan 12 2022

Sources have revealed that within the next few days, a number of important developments will be made with regards to Malta’s national airline Air Malta. Finance Minister Clyde Caruana is expected to meet with various union representatives over the next few days.

As of yet, it unknown whether or not the European Union has given permission to the Maltese Government to give subsidies to Air Malta. Further details are expected to be given during the upcoming meeting. Minister Caruana had revealed that Air Malta was losing €170,000 each single day and State Aid was necessary to keep up its operations.

Caruana had stated that Air Malta was expected to lose €30 million in 2022 and if the European Commission does not grant permission for State Aid, Air Malta could not go on. The future of the national airline will be determined in the next few days.

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More than 67% of over-18s received their booster shot says Chris Fearne

Jan 12 2022

More than two-thirds of the adult population in Malta have received their COVID booster shot, Health Minister Chris Fearne revealed.

This translates to around 67% of those aged over 18, with the health minister appealing to the rest of the population who is eligible to register for the vaccine.

Following the Omicron variant’s emergence leading to a spike in cases, Malta’s health authorities are trying to vaccinate as much of the population as possible. Children aged between 5 and 11 are also now eligible to receive their COVID shots, joining the rollout.

Two thirds (67%) of adults over 18 years resident in #Malta have now received a #booster dose against Covid19. Register at https://t.co/xDyYSLM0tY to receive yours. #BeBoosted pic.twitter.com/0bmB8uS6JN

— Chris Fearne (@chrisfearne) January 12, 2022

Till yesterday, 1,146,466 doses of the vaccine were administered, of which 288,561 were booster shots. This comes as Malta registers 13,104 active cases and 496 total deaths since the pandemic started.

However, hospitalisations remain remarkably low at 116, with just 9 people in ITU. Fearne also announced on Monday that Malta had the fourth-highest booster rate among EU members.

#MaltaDaily