Prof Balloux News Today

Experts say ‘no evidence’ yet to suggest a new virus is to blame for reports of ‘undiagnosed pneumonia’

Experts say ‘no evidence’ yet to suggest a new virus is to blame for reports of ‘undiagnosed pneumonia’

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) stressed there is "insufficient data" to assess how serious the BA.2.86 strain might be, or how likely it is that current vaccines will protect against it.

Pfizer announced today that three doses of its vaccine provide a more robust defence against the Omicron variant, which was first identified in South Africa last month.

EXCLUSIVE: Figures suggest that ICU admissions in South Africa are lower during the Omicron wave than the Delta one. But fewer people had immunity when Delta struck.

Theresa May said Omicron appeared to lead to less serious illness than other variants and the UK Government should be learning to live with Covid.

British scientists, including SAGE, have warned against the narrative that Omicron is a weaker strain, claiming that it could put significant pressure on the NHS because its so infectious.

The newly discovered Omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus has caused panic across the globe, but is this fear justified? The Mail on Sunday has spoken to UK experts who are optimistic.

Covid mutation comes as a stark reminder that this disease is not beaten yet The new variant appears to spread more quickly than the existing virus, with more than 1,000 cases found in 60 local authorities Britain’s battle against coronavirus was dealt an unexpected blow on Monday night when it emerged a mutation of the virus had been identified in Kent, and may be partly responsible for alarming rises in case numbers in the South. After last week’s mood of jubilation when the vaccination p...