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Government asks experts to inform the refresh of UK's Biological Security Strategy

The Government is today (Wednesday 16 February) asking for health and security experts to inform the refresh of the UK's Biological Security Strategy, which aims to protect the country from a range of biological threats, including emerging infectious diseases and potential misuse by hostile actors.

15 Feb 2022

Assessment of multiple sampling strategies to estimate SARS-CoV-2 epidemiological parameters

A new study estimated SARS-CoV-2 epidemiological parameters by using various sampling strategies on sequencing data of viral genomes.

9 Feb 2022

Protocol for a systematic review to evaluate the role of viral cultures for assessing airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2

Researchers presented the protocol for a systematic review assessing viral cultures for airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2.

3 Feb 2022

England returns to Plan A following the success of booster rollout and falling Omicron infections

From 00:01 on Thursday 27th January England returned to Plan A measures following the huge success of the vaccination program and falling Omicron infections.

26 Jan 2022

In Portugal risk of hospitalization from Omicron is 75% lower than Delta

Researchers from Portugal reported a 75% risk reduction in hospitalizations for individuals infected with Omicron variant of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) compared to the Delta variant and a shorter length of stay and lower mortality if hospitalization does occur. Their paper is currently available on the medRxiv* preprint server while undergoing peer review.

24 Jan 2022

A novel assay for the rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants

A new study discusses a new assay method designed by researchers to identify SARS-CoV-2 variants.

20 Jan 2022

Transmission of Omicron in a quarantine hotel between two vaccinated individuals across a corridor

A recent study has reported a community outbreak of imported SARS-CoV-2 Beta variant, owing to intra-hotel transmission in a DQH.

17 Jan 2022

VarLOCK approach for rapid detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern and wastewater monitoring

A recent study discussed the expansion of the SARS-CoV-2 CRISPR-Cas detection technology (SHERLOCK) into Variant-specific SHERLOCK (VarLOCK) assays to accurately differentiate between the newly emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern.

11 Jan 2022

Omicron infection induces cross-reactive immune responses

New research revealed that vaccine-breakthrough infections might elicit cross-reactive bNAbs against all variants of concern.

31 Dec 2021

UK emergency aid to help vulnerable countries tackle the Omicron variant

Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has pledged up to £105 million of UK emergency aid to help vulnerable countries tackle the Omicron Covid-19 variant, with a particular focus on Africa.

30 Dec 2021

Omicron analysis shows no clear evidence for increased virulence or lethality

Researchers conducted a genomic sequencing and epidemiological correlation analysis of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant.

29 Dec 2021

Scientists detect COVID-19 infection in white-tailed deer in 6 Ohio locations

Scientists have detected infection by at least three variants of the virus that causes COVID-19 in free-ranging white-tailed deer in six northeast Ohio locations, the research team has reported.

24 Dec 2021

Exploring immunity and severe disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant

A new study describes the findings of a seroprevalence survey intended to establish the infection rates and the incidence of severe COVID-19 through December 15, 2021, in Gauteng, a crowded province that compresses a quarter of the country’s people into less than 2% of its area.

23 Dec 2021

Pediatric hospital admissions rise with omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant

A new study examines the impact of the Omicron variant on hospitalizations among children in South Africa.

23 Dec 2021

Cheap and accessible methods for genome sequencing will help tackle future pandemics

A worldwide consortium of scientists, led by the Earlham Institute and the University of Liverpool in the UK, mark a significant milestone in equipping researchers in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) with cheap and accessible methods for sequencing large collections of bacterial pathogens - at a cost of less than $10USD per genome.

21 Dec 2021

New oral pill for COVID-19 home treatment

As cases and hospitalizations continue to rise in many countries, new treatments are being sought to arrest the progression of the disease, preventing severe illness and death or disability. One such is the small molecule molnupiravir, the focus of a new research paper.

20 Dec 2021

Study reveals chromosome-level changes that relate to drug resistance in melanoma

Precision therapies targeting melanoma and other cancers have improved patient survival, but tumors often stop responding to drugs, and recent studies point to changes in DNA – both inside and outside chromosomes – as a driving factor in tumor genesis as well as in treatment resistance.