News

South African medical association: Omicron variant causes ‘mild disease’

Published

2 years ago

November 28, 2021

Ahron Young

The new Omicron variant of the coronavirus results in mild disease, without prominent symptoms, according to the South African Medical Association.

As the world reacts with concern to the new variant of COVID-19, officials in South Africa have called for calm.

Angelique Coetzee, the chairwoman of the South African Medical Association, says the symptoms of the new variant aren’t as severe as the original.

“It presents mild disease with symptoms being sore muscles and tiredness for a day or two not feeling well. So far, we have detected that those infected do not suffer loss of taste or smell.”

“They might have a slight cough. There are no prominent symptoms. Of those infected some are currently being treated at home,” Coetzee said.

Vaccination hope

The official noted that hospitals have not been overburdened by Omicron patients and that the new strain is not been detected in vaccinated persons. However, the situation might be different for the unvaccinated.

The World Health Organization (WHO) identified the new South African strain as one of concern, as it is reported to carry a high number of mutations.

The WHO has dubbed it Omicron, the 15th letter of the Greek alphabet.

“We will only know this after two weeks. Yes, it is transmissible, but for now, as medical practitioners, we do not know why so much hype is being driven as we are still looking into it.”

“We will only know after two to three weeks as there are some patients admitted and these are young people aged 40 and younger,” Coetzee added.

The chairwoman also criticised the decision by some countries to ban flights from South Africa is premature.

News

The EV transformation expands to legacy vehicles

Published

18 mins ago

April 29, 2024

ticker NEWS

This week witnessed another milestone in the automotive industry as the legendary Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen embarked on its electric journey, aligning with global sustainability efforts.

Simultaneously, Toyota and Mazda debuted EV offerings tailored for the booming Chinese market, signalling a strategic shift towards collaboration with advanced Chinese partners.

While the electric G-Wagen promises both eco-friendliness and off-road prowess with its innovative design, questions arise about Japanese automakers’ perceived lag in EV development, countered by the strategic imperative to tap into the rapidly growing Chinese EV market. As automotive icons embrace electrification and traditional players adapt through partnerships, it’s clear that collaboration and innovation will drive the future of mobility.

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The degree dilemma, income shifts, debt, and dream homes

Published

23 mins ago

April 29, 2024

ticker NEWS

As individuals face the daunting choice between paying off student debt, saving for a first home deposit, or exploring alternative options like rentvesting, careful consideration of various factors becomes imperative.

In the midst of these challenges, a couple in the inner north ingeniously employed a strategy to realise their dream of a larger home while managing HECS debt and affordability hurdles.

Rentvesting emerges as a viable solution for individuals grappling with the burdens of high HECS debt and property affordability issues.

Moreover, the decreasing income premium tied to a university degree is closely intertwined with changing economic dynamics and shifts in the job market, underscoring the need for innovative approaches to education and financial planning in today’s society.

News

President Biden signs TikTok bill – what’s next?

Published

3 days ago

April 26, 2024

ticker NEWS

TikTok users could soon find that the popular social media service is either under new ownership or could be outright banned in the United States.

President Joe Biden signed a bill into law that requires TikTok to find a new owner—or face a ban in the United States.

Over the past several months, Washington D.C. has been under pressure to ban the popular Chinese-owned social media app.

Lawmakers and security experts have long raised concerns that the Chinese government could tap TikTok’s trove of personal data about millions of U.S. users.

TikTok’s CEO said the bill is disappointing and reiterated that the company has committed to challenge it.

David Zhang from China Insider. joins Veronica Dudo to discuss