The World Health Organization (WHO) said it is heavily tracking a new variant of the coronavirus, XBB. 1. 16, named Arcturus by some researchers. The spread variant, which has been reported in at least 21 countries, the WHO said in a new report, is a sub-variant of Omicron, which arose when two variants combined their genetic material. “Mutations in the spike protein (which enters the virus and infects cells in the body) have been linked to reduced neutralization of antibodies, increasing transmissibility and pathogenicity,” the WHO report states. Reduced neutralization of antibodies means that the effect of the vaccine or physical immunity to prevent infection with this new variant is reduced, while pathogenicity means the ability of the virus to cause disease, based on available clinical information. “However, the reports so far do not imply an accumulation of hospitalizations, ICU admissions or deaths due to XBB. 1. 16,” the WHO added. The Times of India, a news agency, reported that cases of infection among children under 12 years of age have increased rapidly since the appearance of the new variant. Health officials and Health Ministry experts were not available to communicate about the conceivable danger that the new variant could pose. The country has seen a notable drop in Covid-19 infections and deaths since 2022, according to earlier ministry reports. However, Dr. Daniel Kyabayinze, head of public fitness at the Ministry of Health, told the Daily Monitor yesterday that the country continues to vaccinate other people against covid-19 and promote preventive measures. “Covid-19 is still here with us, but what it has replaced is that we have vaccinated at least 24 million Ugandans. We have enough vaccines, ”he said. Since the virus emerged in Uganda in 2020, another 170,000 people have been infected, 3,632 have died, and more than 100,000 have recovered from the virus.
Welcome!
Never miss a story. Share your email and we will be offering you new articles in the world of sport