New COVID-19 variant discovered in Africa raises global alarm

Botswana Prison gifts Kgotla Shelter to McCarthy Rust

Botswana: The Kgotla system is a platform for regular discussions, consultations and exchange of ideas on major community or national issues among citizens. Traditionally, it is charged with the responsibility of building the nation and social cohesion, with the wider purpose of promoting harmony among the communities. 

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St Kitts: The Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Dr Terrance Drew is currently attending the Conference of Parties 28 in Dubai, UAE....

The arrival of a new strain of COVID-19 has created a stir in the whole world. This variant, named Omicron, was first found in South Africa. The World Health Organization has also showed concern about this new variant. The US and Australia have banned flights coming from South Africa. Once again this new variant has created fear all over the world.

The first case of the Omicron variant was confirmed in South Africa on 24 November and the first known infection was found from a sample collected on 9 November. Many countries are scrambling to contain the spread of Omicron and have banned flights from South African countries, even as stock markets and oil prices tumbled, potentially crippling global economic growth. Reform has suffered a heavy blow.

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The UN health agency said that it could take several weeks to complete the Omicron study, which will see whether the Kovid vaccines and trials have an effect on it. After South Africa, this strain has spread to many other countries including Botswana.

The World Health Organization has also acknowledged that this stain can prove to be dangerous for people. Expressing his concern about the variant, it has been said that it is a rapidly spreading variant. It is quite dangerous and this virus has been detected in both the people who have been vaccinated.

What is the new variant?

According to the information received so far, the Omicron variant has many spike protein mutations and is highly contagious. So far many variants of the corona epidemic have been revealed. Scientists are also eyeing new variants. It is believed that this variant is efficient in defeating immunity rapidly and it is being said to be the most dangerous variant so far.

What are the symptoms?

South Africa’s National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD) has said that no unusual symptoms have been reported for infection with the Omicron variant.” The NICD also noted that some people infected with Omicron, like Delta, were asymptomatic. were not visible.

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According to WHO, the current SARS-CoV-2 PCR can detect this variant. In view of this new variant the world is on alert, passengers coming from Africa in several countries are not allowed in many countries.

Botswana Prison gifts Kgotla Shelter to McCarthy Rust

Botswana: The Kgotla system is a platform for regular discussions, consultations and exchange of ideas on major community or national issues among citizens. Traditionally, it is charged with the responsibility of building the nation and social cohesion, with the wider purpose of promoting harmony among the communities. 

Kenya Green Zones Project to accelerate seedlings production

Kenya: The Green Zones Development Support Project Phase II (GZDSP II) Manager, Jerome Mwanzia has said that the project will build an additional four model tree nurseries with an annual production capacity of 1.5 million seedlings each.

Zambia Air Force commander aims for safer Zambian skies

Zambia: The Zambia Air Force (ZAF) Commander, Lt Gen Colin Barry, Wednesday morning took time to visit the Flying Training School (FTS) in Livingstone and took part in a flight safety training exercise involving the SF260 TW pilot trainer aircraft.

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KwaZulu Natal: The Premier of KwaZulu-Natal, Nomusa Dube-Ncube, has strongly condemned the killing of the DA Councillor for uMngeni Municipality Nhlalayenza Ndlovu and implored the police to act swiftly to arrest the criminals behind this gruesome act. Police reported that Councillor Ndlovu was gunned down in front of his children at his home in Mphophomeni township on Tuesday evening.