Month: January 2022

Researchers’ findings have backed the theory that “Omicron may have evolved in a non-human animal species” The study into Omicron, published in the Journal of Biosafety and Biosecurity, found that “coronavirus slowly accumulated mutations over time in mice” before the virus was then “transmitted back to humans by reverse zoonotic.” The research, led by Dr. Xu Jianguo, who works for the National Institute for Communicable Diseases Control and Prevention of China, has identified mice as the “most likely intermediate host.” Researchers established that the “mutations profile” of the strain “shows that the virus has adapted to infect the cells of mice.” While scientists have established Omicron developed from a strain that circulated in mid-2020, they have be...

The parents of a 31-year-old in need of a heart transplant at Boston’s Brigham and Women’s Hospital said their son has been removed from the transplant list because he has not been vaccinated for COVID-19, according to a report. The hospital told CBS Boston that its policy is in line with other transplant programs in the U.S. that require the vaccine because it fits under the lifestyle behaviors of the candidates. The statement said it is the hospital’s goal to "create both the best chance for successful operation and also the patient’s survival after transplantation." David Ferguson, the father of the patient DJ Ferguson, told the station that his son was at the front of the line to receive the organ, but was removed because he refuses to take the vaccine. His son is still at the hos...

WHO's top experts seem to disagree on whether Omicron could spell the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. On Sunday, WHO's regional director for Europe suggested the variant might offer widespread immunity. But on Monday, the head of WHO said it was "dangerous to assume" Omicron would be the last variant. Loading Something is loading. Top officials at the World Health Organization are express...