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Airline sends woman 13 brand new suitcases as compensation

<p dir="ltr">A woman has been left shocked and confused after being sent 13 brand new suitcases as compensation. </p> <p dir="ltr">Giséle Rochefort was flying with Delta Airlines in the US when her luggage was badly damaged on her flight. </p> <p dir="ltr">"Delta destroyed my suitcase. I filed a claim, they agreed to replace it," Rochefort explained in a now-viral TikTok video.</p> <p dir="ltr">Giséle’s suitcase had some of the fabric ripped off the cover, while one of the wheels had been completely knocked off. </p> <p dir="ltr">Soon after filing her claim with the airline, Rochefort received a notification that she had been issued a replacement for her luggage and it was ready to be picked up.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, she was greeted with 13 boxes, each one containing a new suitcase in varying sizes and designs: all the same brand of her destroyed luggage. </p> <div class="embed" style="font-size: 16px; box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; outline: none !important;"><iframe class="embedly-embed" style="box-sizing: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; border-width: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 610px; max-width: 100%; outline: none !important;" title="tiktok embed" src="https://cdn.embedly.com/widgets/media.html?src=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2Fembed%2Fv2%2F7205751910886837547&display_name=tiktok&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.tiktok.com%2F%40gisele_rochefort%2Fvideo%2F7205751910886837547%3Fq%3DGis%25C3%25A9le%2520Rochefort%26t%3D1678421013573&image=https%3A%2F%2Fp16-sign.tiktokcdn-us.com%2Fobj%2Ftos-useast5-p-0068-tx%2F0c0dca39b4c14fafa59759c9312e38ad%3Fx-expires%3D1678442400%26x-signature%3DnoEZd10erItVG8BuGildr1uEaAk%253D&key=59e3ae3acaa649a5a98672932445e203&type=text%2Fhtml&schema=tiktok" width="340" height="700" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div> <p dir="ltr">"I was crying laughing, It felt like an April Fools' prank. I thought I was done, only to realise 3 of the large bags had small ones inside them," she added in the comments section of her video.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I think they made a mistake," she added.</p> <p dir="ltr"> Rochefort said the bags, which retail for as much as $300 (AUD) each, are currently stacked up on a wall at her home.</p> <p dir="ltr">"It's called interior design sweetie, look it up," she joked, adding, "Thanks Delta!"</p> <p dir="ltr">Her video has been viewed one million times, with many of her followers wondering how they can get their hands on such a haul.</p> <p dir="ltr">"I think I know what everyone is getting for their bday or the holidays," one commented.</p> <p dir="ltr">"Keep two and sell the rest," another suggested.</p> <p dir="ltr">"And here's an extra 12 Incase we break anymore," another joked.</p> <p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 12pt; margin-bottom: 15pt;"><em>Image credits: TikTok</em><span id="docs-internal-guid-360681aa-7fff-03bc-3e7a-bc44225a1ae4" style="caret-color: #000000; color: #000000;"></span></p>

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“Insensitive idiots”: Channel 7 slammed for airing unauthorised Newton-John biopic

<p dir="ltr">Channel Seven has come under fire from fans for airing <em>Hopelessly Devoted To You</em>, an unauthorised Olivia Newton-John biopic the same day the iconic actress and singer passed away.</p> <p dir="ltr">The 2018 miniseries, starring Delta Goodrem as a young Olivia, hit a sour note for fans grieving on Tuesday night, with many taking to social media to share their thoughts.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We should be honouring Olivia, not have this horrible wood duck imitation on,” one fan tweeted. </p> <p dir="ltr">“Why am I watching Delta Goodrem play Olivia Newton-John on TV and not... I don't know, Olivia Newton-John? 😭” wrote another.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Australia doesn’t want to see Delta Goodrem as Olivia, you insensitive idiots,” one quipped, before adding, “We want to see original music featuring Olivia.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“In the haste to put something on tonight Olivia Newton-John related, Channel 7 miss the mark with Olivia biopic starring Delta Goodrem,” a third <a href="https://twitter.com/Ancray/status/1556972888728928256" target="_blank" rel="noopener">shared</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I’d rather watch something ACTUALLY starring Olivia, not someone pretending to be her!”</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-705a392e-7fff-3098-0a57-6e9b387c7c26"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">To make matters worse, some savvy users pointed out that one media outlet used a photo of Goodrem as Olivia in their post breaking the news of Newton-John’s death.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">not popcrave using a pic of delta goodrem 😭 <a href="https://t.co/FwfKCaFlPN">pic.twitter.com/FwfKCaFlPN</a></p> <p>— David Mack (@davidmackau) <a href="https://twitter.com/davidmackau/status/1556726103246602240?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The post has since been deleted and the outlet reshared the news with two photos of Newton-John.</p> <p dir="ltr">It comes after Goodrem paid tribute to Newton-John, describing her as a mentor, friend, and inspiration in a heartfelt Instagram post.</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-9af153f3-7fff-67d2-a732-017e50e42ca3"></span></p> <p dir="ltr">“The whole world will feel this heartbreak today because the entire world felt Olivia’s unmatched light,” she wrote, sharing two black-and-white photos of the pair.</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/ChA2VU4P0mF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ChA2VU4P0mF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Delta Goodrem AM (@deltagoodrem)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“A force for good. A force for nature. Strong and kind, my mentor, my friend, my inspiration, someone who always guided me… she was always there for me. Family to me.”</p> <p dir="ltr">“I don’t have all the words I would like to say today but I hope everyone will join in celebrating our beloved Olivia, her heart, soul, talent, courage, grace… I love you forever.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><span id="docs-internal-guid-2c3e2f14-7fff-81eb-95f1-397e6597e870"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Lifetime</em></p>

What a wonderful tribute: Goldie Hawn's incredible Olivia moment

<p dir="ltr">The devastating death of Dame Olivia Newton-John has rocked the world as many sent their condolences to her family.</p> <p dir="ltr">The <em>Grease </em>star “passed away peacefully” at the age of 73 at her Ranch in Southern California surrounded by family.</p> <p dir="ltr">While Olivia’s family has been awash in an outpouring of love, support and shared grief, few tributes produced full-body goosebumps quite like the one shared by the normally highly private and reticent Goldie Hawn.</p> <p dir="ltr">Goldie took to Instagram to share a beautiful musical line-up that featured Olivia, Lily Tomlin, Cher, Bette Midler, Meryl Streep and of course, herself.</p> <p dir="ltr">“A light landed on this planet 73 years ago,” Goldie’s caption read.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Her voice brought us to such joyous heights, nothing held her back, nothing. Her mind was strong and heroic.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Olivia’s light will continue to shine and will never flicker. Never.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Rest sweetheart. Rest peacefully, you are Love.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/ChBOOyzpCRq/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/ChBOOyzpCRq/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Goldie Hawn (@goldiehawn)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">The clip from 1990 shows the women gathered on stage taking turns to sing verses from Louis Armstrong’s What A Wonderful World.</p> <p dir="ltr">A young Olivia appears in a stunning red dress and gold locks as she smashes her verse to a rapturous crowd.</p> <p dir="ltr">This beautiful dedication to Olivia is not the only one that has emerged, with an interview from just two years prior in 2020 re-surfacing to great delight.</p> <p dir="ltr">Olivia was being interviewed on The Project by Lisa Wilkinson about her journey with breast cancer.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I have to ask on behalf of everyone in Australia who loves and adores you and has done for decades, how is your health?” Lisa asked.</p> <p dir="ltr">A jubilant Olivia smiled at the audience, put her hands up in the air and said “Fantastic!”.</p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">Olivia Newton-John joined us on The Project in 2020 alongside her daughter Chloe Rose Lattanzi.<br />⁰<br />She told us all about the big thing she believed in that kept her going throughout her cancer battle.<br />⁰<br />Everyone should remember this. <a href="https://t.co/0zndiMerbr">pic.twitter.com/0zndiMerbr</a></p> <p>— The Project (@theprojecttv) <a href="https://twitter.com/theprojecttv/status/1556779992369053701?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 8, 2022</a></p></blockquote> <p dir="ltr">“I’m doing really well, thank you, and thank you for all your love and support, I really appreciate it.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I believe your belief system is part of the healing. All I can know is that my last MRI, things are shrinking, going away or staying the same, and I’m living with it and feeling great.”</p> <p dir="ltr">Fellow Australian Kylie Minogue also offered a heartfelt tribute to the singer and actress by sharing a throwback photo of the pair in 1988.</p> <p dir="ltr">The photo was a black and white image of Kylie and Olivia standing together at the Royal Bicentennial Concert.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Since I was ten years old, I have loved and looked up to Olivia Newton John. And, I always will. (Just like this picture @nfsaonline),” she wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“She was, and always will be, an inspiration to me in so many, many ways. My deepest condolences to her family and loved ones. x ONJ4EVER @therealonj.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/ChA8Yvltrdd/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ChA8Yvltrdd/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Kylie Minogue (@kylieminogue)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Delta Goodrem also offered her condolences to her “friend and mentor” with a beautiful photo of the pair hugging.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The whole world will feel this heartbreak today because the entire world felt Olivia’s unmatched light,” she wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“A force for good. A force of nature. Strong and kind. my mentor, my friend, my inspiration, someone who always guided me…she was always there for me. Family to me.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I don’t have all the words I would like to say today but I hope everyone will join in celebrating our beloved Olivia, her heart, soul, talent, courage, grace…</p> <p dir="ltr">“I love you forever.”</p> <blockquote class="instagram-media" style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/ChA2VU4P0mF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"> </div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <div style="padding: 12.5% 0;"> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; margin-bottom: 14px; align-items: center;"> <div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(0px) translateY(7px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; height: 12.5px; transform: rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px); width: 12.5px; flex-grow: 0; margin-right: 14px; margin-left: 2px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; height: 12.5px; width: 12.5px; transform: translateX(9px) translateY(-18px);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: 8px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 20px; width: 20px;"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 2px solid transparent; border-left: 6px solid #f4f4f4; border-bottom: 2px solid transparent; transform: translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg);"> </div> </div> <div style="margin-left: auto;"> <div style="width: 0px; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-right: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(16px);"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; flex-grow: 0; height: 12px; width: 16px; transform: translateY(-4px);"> </div> <div style="width: 0; height: 0; border-top: 8px solid #F4F4F4; border-left: 8px solid transparent; transform: translateY(-4px) translateX(8px);"> </div> </div> </div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center; margin-bottom: 24px;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 224px;"> </div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 144px;"> </div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/ChA2VU4P0mF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank" rel="noopener">A post shared by Delta Goodrem AM (@deltagoodrem)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p dir="ltr">Olivia’s husband <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/health/caring/honouring-dame-olivia-newton-john" target="_blank" rel="noopener">announced the awful news</a> on Instagram via his late wife’s account asking for privacy as they mourn her death.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Dame Olivia Newton-John (73) passed away peacefully at her Ranch in Southern California this morning, surrounded by family and friends. We ask that everyone please respect the family’s privacy during this very difficult time,” he wrote.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Olivia has been a symbol of triumphs and hope for over 30 years sharing her journey with breast cancer.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Her healing inspiration and pioneering experience with plant medicine continues with the Olivia Newton-John Foundation Fund, dedicated to researching plant medicine and cancer. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made in her memory to the @onjfoundation.</p> <p dir="ltr">“Olivia is survived by her husband John Easterling; daughter Chloe Lattanzi; sister Sarah Newton-John; brother Toby Newton-John; nieces and nephews Tottie, Fiona and Brett Goldsmith; Emerson, Charlie, Zac, Jeremy, Randall, and Pierz Newton-John; Jude Newton-Stock, Layla Lee; Kira and Tasha Edelstein; and Brin and Valerie Hall.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Images: Instagram</em></p>

Caring

Could I have had COVID and not realised it?

<p>It seems not a day goes by without learning someone in our inner circle of family, friends and colleagues has COVID. When we ask how unwell our acquaintance is, the responses vary from “they’re really crook” to “you wouldn’t even know they had it”.</p> <p>This is in line with studies that report moderate to severe illness in a minority of people (usually older with other risk factors) and that <a href="https://www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/pnas.2109229118" target="_blank" rel="noopener">up to one in three positive people exhibit no symptoms</a>.</p> <p>Given the ubiquitous presence of this <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-does-omicron-compare-with-delta-heres-what-we-know-about-infectiousness-symptoms-severity-and-vaccine-protection-172963" target="_blank" rel="noopener">highly infectious coronavirus</a> in our community and the high rate of asymptomatic illness, those who have not been diagnosed with COVID might wonder, “how would I know if I had been infected?” And, “does it matter if I have?”.</p> <p><strong>How COVID is diagnosed</strong></p> <p>Most people know they’ve had COVID because they had a fever or upper respiratory tract symptoms and/or were exposed to an infected person AND had a swab test (PCR or rapid antigen) that detected the COVID virus (SARS-CoV-2) in the upper airway.</p> <p>At the beginning of 2022, many people with consistent symptoms or high-risk exposures were not able to access PCRs or RATs to confirm their diagnosis, but instead presumed themselves positive and quarantined.</p> <p>It is possible to diagnose past infection in those who never tested positive. A blood test can look for <a href="https://www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m3325#:%7E:text=SARS%2DCoV%2D2%20antibody%20tests%20and%20immunity,and%20memory%20against%20future%20infection." target="_blank" rel="noopener">SARS-CoV-2 antibodies</a> (also known as immunoglobulins). When we are infected with SARS-CoV-2, our immune system launches a precision counter strike by producing antibodies against viral targets, specifically the Spike (S) and Nucleocapsid (N) proteins. COVID vaccination <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-happens-when-the-covid-19-vaccines-enter-the-body-a-road-map-for-kids-and-grown-ups-164624" target="_blank" rel="noopener">induces</a> a similar immune response against the S protein only. The S antibody “neutralises” the invader by preventing the virus from attaching to human cells.</p> <p>These antibodies can be detected within one to three weeks after infection and persist for <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33408181/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">at least six months – potentially much longer</a>. A blood test that shows antibodies to S and N proteins indicates someone has been previously infected. Detection of antibodies to the S protein only indicates vaccination (but not infection).</p> <p><strong>The problem with antibody tests</strong></p> <p>Before you rush off to get a COVID antibody test, there are a few notes of caution. There is still <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/lab/resources/antibody-tests-guidelines.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">much to learn about the characteristics</a> of the immune response to COVID infection. Not everyone mounts a detectable antibody response following infection and levels can decline to undetectable levels after several months in some people.</p> <p>Because there are other circulating seasonal coronaviruses (such as those that cause the common cold), tests may also pick up antibodies to non-SARS-CoV-2 strains, leading to “false positive” results.</p> <p>Commercial and public hospital pathology labs can perform SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing, but the interpretation of results should be undertaken carefully.</p> <p>So, antibody testing should really only be done when there’s a good reason to: say, when confirming past infection or effectiveness of vaccination is important for the current care of an individual. Diagnosing a post-infectious complication or eligibility for a specific treatment, for example. It could also be useful for contact tracing or for assessing the background population rate of infection.</p> <figure class="align-center "><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/452963/original/file-20220318-10592-1aq4y5g.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/452963/original/file-20220318-10592-1aq4y5g.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=438&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/452963/original/file-20220318-10592-1aq4y5g.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=438&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/452963/original/file-20220318-10592-1aq4y5g.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=438&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/452963/original/file-20220318-10592-1aq4y5g.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=550&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/452963/original/file-20220318-10592-1aq4y5g.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=550&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/452963/original/file-20220318-10592-1aq4y5g.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=550&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" alt="" /><figcaption></figcaption></figure> <p><strong>Antibody testing a population</strong></p> <p>“<a href="https://www.ncirs.org.au/our-work/serosurveillance" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Seroprevalence studies</a>” test for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in repositories of stored blood that are representative of the general population, such as from a blood bank. This data helps to understand the true extent of COVID infection and vaccination status in the community (and informs our assessment of population susceptibility to future infection and reinfection). It’s more useful than daily reported case numbers, which are skewed towards symptomatic individuals and those with access to swab testing.</p> <p>New <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.12.14.21267791v2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">research</a> from the World Health Organization, which is yet to be reviewed by other scientists, reported the results of a meta-analysis of over 800 seroprevalence studies performed around the world since 2020. They estimated that by July 2021, 45.2% of the global population had SARS-CoV-2 antibodies due to past infection or vaccination, eight times the estimate (5.5%) from a year earlier.</p> <p>There are <a href="https://kirby.unsw.edu.au/news/how-many-australians-have-had-covid-19" target="_blank" rel="noopener">plans</a> to conduct <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/jan/20/blood-test-surveys-crucial-to-estimate-covid-spread-in-australia-experts-say" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fresh seroprevalence studies</a> in Australia in the coming year, which will <a href="https://academic.oup.com/ofid/article/9/3/ofac002/6517685" target="_blank" rel="noopener">update local data</a> and help us understand to what extent the Omicron wave has washed through the population.</p> <p><strong>Does it matter if I have had COVID and didn’t know?</strong></p> <p>For most people, knowing your COVID infection status is unlikely to be more than a topic of dinnertime conversation.</p> <p>While some studies have pointed to a less robust and durable antibody response following <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7454692/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">mild</a> or <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33208819/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">asymptomatic</a> infection compared with severe illness, it is not known how this influences protection from reinfection. Certainly, the knowledge we have antibodies from past infection should not deter us from being fully up-to-date with COVID vaccination, which remains the best protection against severe illness.</p> <p>There are reports of people with mild or asymptomatic COVID infection developing <a href="https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/WHO-2019-nCoV-Post_COVID-19_condition-Clinical_case_definition-2021.1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">long COVID</a> – persistent or relapsing symptoms that last several months after initial infection. Symptoms can include shortness of breath, physical and mental fatigue, exercise intolerance, headaches, and muscle and joint pain.</p> <p>However, the <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41591-021-01292-y.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">likelihood</a> of developing this condition appears higher in those who suffer a heavier initial bout of COVID illness. This might be linked with <a href="https://www.cell.com/cell/fulltext/S0092-8674(22)00072-1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">higher viral load</a> at that time.</p> <p><strong>Bottom line</strong></p> <p>As we enter the third year of the COVID pandemic and given that up to one in three infections may be asymptomatic, it is likely many of us have been infected without knowing it.</p> <p>If you are experiencing lingering fatigue, brain fog or other symptoms that could be long COVID, you should talk to your GP. Otherwise, knowing our COVID infection status is unlikely to be of much practical benefit. Antibody testing should be reserved for specific medical or public health indications.</p> <p>Being up-to-date with COVID vaccination is still our best defence against severe illness moving forward.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/178630/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ashwin-swaminathan-1308612" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Ashwin Swaminathan</a>, Senior Lecturer, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/australian-national-university-877" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Australian National University</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/could-i-have-had-covid-and-not-realised-it-178630" target="_blank" rel="noopener">original article</a>.</em></p> <p><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Body

A new Covid variant has emerged: Can you get it if you’ve had Covid already?

<p dir="ltr">Health authorities have expressed their concern over the spread of a new variant of COVID-19, with NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet saying they would “tailor settings” if needed.</p> <p dir="ltr">A new subvariant of Omicron, called BA.2, has been recorded across the globe and is the dominating strain in at least 18 countries.</p> <p dir="ltr">Currently, the BA.1 Omicron variant remains the top strain in NSW and Victoria, though NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard said BA.2 could quickly overtake it and cause cases to double within the next four to six weeks.</p> <p dir="ltr">Other states, including Victoria, are expected to follow suit.</p> <p dir="ltr">It comes as both NSW and Victoria recorded a drop in cases on Friday after experiencing 16,288 and 7779 new cases on Thursday.</p> <p dir="ltr">Appearing on <em>Sunrise</em>, Mr Perrottet said that boosters were the best protection against the new variant, and that authorities would “tailor settings” if required.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The best thing we can do is get boosted,” he <a href="https://7news.com.au/news/coronavirus/ba2-omicron-covid-variant-rapidly-sweeping-the-globe-and-could-see-cases-double-in-nsw--c-6013296" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">“The virus is not going away.”</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>BA.2 explained</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">The Omicron variant of Covid, the dominant version circulating around the world, is made up of several subvariants called BA.1, BA.2, BA.3 and BA.4, with BA.1 and BA.2 being the most common.</p> <p dir="ltr">These two subvariants differ in their genetic sequences, with some studies finding BA.2 has a growth advantage over BA.1. <a href="https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-variants-viral-mutation-and-covid-19-vaccines-the-science-you-need-to-understand-153771" target="_blank" rel="noopener">According to Richard Kuhn</a>, a professor of biological sciences at Purdue University, a variant with a growth advantage is better than the original virus, meaning it can evolve and be “successful” at spreading.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-e8fe59d6-7fff-84ab-4d2c-41a94ced165a">In a <a href="https://www.who.int/news/item/22-02-2022-statement-on-omicron-sublineage-ba.2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">statement</a>, the WHO pointed to initial data suggesting BA.2 appears to be more transmissible than BA.1, though the difference between them is less stark than the difference in transmissibility of Omicron BA.1 versus the Delta strain.</span></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Can I get BA.2 if I’ve already had Covid?</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Though studies investigating BA.2 are ongoing, some initial data suggests that people who have been infected with the Omicron variant are protected from reinfection with BA.2 “for the limited period for which data are available”.</p> <p dir="ltr">In a <a href="https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.02.19.22271112v1" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Danish study</a>, which is yet to be published or peer-reviewed by other scientists, they sequenced samples from 263 people who had been infected with COVID-19 twice between November 11, 2021 and February 11, 2022. </p> <p dir="ltr">Of these, 47 were found to have contracted BA.1 first and BA.2 second, 50 contracted the same variant twice, and 140 contracted BA.2 after they were infected with Delta.</p> <p dir="ltr">Out of those 47 people, the majority were unvaccinated, under the age of 20, and experienced mild symptoms.</p> <p dir="ltr">The WHO’s Technical Advisory Group on SARS-CoV-2 Virus Evolution (TAG-VE) also considered data from South Africa, the UK, and Denmark to assess the severity of disease caused by BA.2, finding that there was no “reported difference” between it and BA.1.</p> <p><span id="docs-internal-guid-b06cb7f1-7fff-a2de-c43b-3fb32775ed23"></span></p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Body

How to look after your mental health if you’re at home with COVID

<p>For many of us, catching COVID and isolating at home can be a lonely, scary and distressing experience.</p> <p>For those with a pre-existing mental illness, it can be even more difficult.</p> <p>The following strategies are designed to help you look after your mental health if you get COVID and are isolating at home.</p> <p><strong>Remember the basics</strong></p> <p>When living in a time of great uncertainty and threat, it can be difficult to remember and practice <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.headtohealth.gov.au/covid-19-support/covid-19-support" target="_blank">simple strategies</a> to maximise wellness.</p> <p>If you’re isolating at home with COVID, it’s important to:</p> <ul> <li> <p>manage fever and other symptoms like aches, pains and sore throat with paracetamol or ibuprofen</p> </li> <li> <p>maintain a healthy diet</p> </li> <li> <p>keep your fluid intake up, particularly if you have a fever</p> </li> <li> <p><a rel="noopener" href="https://health.clevelandclinic.org/returning-to-sports-or-exercise-after-recovering-from-covid-19/" target="_blank">stop exercise</a> for at least 10 days, and depending on the severity of your symptoms, return to exercise slowly (if you have any questions about returning to exercise, ask your GP)</p> </li> <li> <p><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/coronavirus/coronavirus-recovery-breathing-exercises" target="_blank">deep breathing</a>, which can help lung function and help you stay calm during isolation and recovery, but this should be done in consultation with your doctor</p> </li> <li> <p>practise <a rel="noopener" href="https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/Managing-my-daily-life/Coping-with-isolation-and-being-at-home/how-mindfulness-can-help-during-the-coronavirus-pandemic" target="_blank">mindfulness</a> to help cope with the inevitable anxiety around illness and isolation</p> </li> <li> <p>find distractions like reading, watching movies or doing a <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-09-15/new-research-supports-arts-for-mental-health/100452968" target="_blank">creative activity</a>, which can help keep your brain from fixating on worry (this is particularly important for children)</p> </li> <li> <p>and stay connected with friends and family, online or over the phone.</p> </li> </ul> <p>It’s important to monitor your COVID symptoms. The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners has a useful <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.racgp.org.au/FSDEDEV/media/documents/Clinical%20Resources/Guidelines/Managing-mild-COVID-19-at-home-with-assistance-from-your-GP.pdf" target="_blank">symptom diary</a> to assist with this. Or use the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/symptom-checker/tool/basic-details" target="_blank">Healthdirect symptom checker</a> to decide whether you need medical help.</p> <p>If you live alone, you should arrange for someone to contact you regularly to make sure you are managing.</p> <p><strong>Some coping strategies to avoid</strong></p> <p>During times of anxiety and uncertainty, such as isolating at home with COVID, it’s understandable people may turn to <a rel="noopener" href="https://adf.org.au/covid-19/" target="_blank">drugs and alcohol</a>, <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanpsy/article/PIIS2215-0366(21)00435-1/fulltext" target="_blank">unhealthy eating</a>, <a rel="noopener" href="https://aifs.gov.au/agrc/publications/gambling-australia-during-covid-19" target="_blank">gambling</a>, or other addictions to manage psychological discomfort.</p> <p>These strategies may temporarily alleviate stress. But they can cause more mental health issues in the longer term.</p> <p>It’s also important to avoid “<a rel="noopener" href="https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/doomsurfing-doomscrolling-words-were-watching" target="_blank">doom scrolling</a>”, which is the tendency to continue to scroll through bad news on your mobile phone, even though the news is saddening, disheartening or depressing.</p> <p>You might want to disengage from mainstream or social media if it has become harmful to your mental health.</p> <p><strong>It’s been extra hard for those with mental illnesses</strong></p> <p>The COVID pandemic has made living with mental illness even more difficult. The last few years have been challenging and exhausting for many. People with mental illnesses, and other chronic conditions, have had to adapt their normal management strategies to cope, shifting care and <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/digital-mental-health-services" target="_blank">some forms of therapy online</a>.</p> <p>Recovery from, and management of, mental illness often involves activities like exercise, positive social engagement and therapy – all of which may be limited due to COVID restrictions, financial constraints and staff shortages.</p> <p>Acute services, including hospitals and general practice, are struggling to meet demand.</p> <p>Isolation can be particularly difficult for people who don’t have a <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2024046" target="_blank">safe and secure home</a>. People experiencing domestic violence have more difficulty accessing care as they may <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.anrows.org.au/publication/covid-19-fast-facts-prevalence-of-domestic-violence-among-women-during-the-covid-19-pandemic/" target="_blank">not be safe interacting with health professionals</a> in their homes.</p> <p><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/child-protection/child-protection-in-the-time-of-covid-19/summary" target="_blank">Children are at increased risk</a> of harm if they live with domestic violence. They may have no safe places to go when schools or childcare facilities are closed, so family, friends and services like <a rel="noopener" href="https://kidshelpline.com.au/" target="_blank">Kids Helpline</a> play an important role in supporting children.</p> <p><strong>Seeking help</strong></p> <p>There are many resources available to assist you if you’re isolating due to COVID.</p> <p>Your GP can provide advice, help you navigate the health system and treat physical and mental health symptoms, via <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2021/12/medicare-telehealth-services-consumer-information.pdf" target="_blank">telehealth over the phone or online</a>. Medicare rebates for telehealth are available if you have seen the GP face to face in the previous 12 months.</p> <p>The <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.health.gov.au/contacts/national-coronavirus-helpline" target="_blank">National Coronavirus Helpline</a> is a 24-hour service that provides free advice on how to seek medical help.</p> <p>Beyond Blue offers a <a rel="noopener" href="https://coronavirus.beyondblue.org.au/COVID-normal" target="_blank">series of resources</a> for adapting to the pandemic, including for Australians living overseas and people who speak languages other than English. The organisation also offers free counselling during the pandemic. Call 1800 512 348 to speak with a trained mental health professional, or chat online.</p> <p>The federal government provides a free mental health service for people in <a rel="noopener" href="https://headtohelp.org.au" target="_blank">Victoria</a>, <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.headtohealth.gov.au/popup" target="_blank">NSW and the ACT</a> who’ve been affected by the pandemic. Call 1800 595 212 from Monday to Friday, 8:30am-5pm.</p> <p>The <a rel="noopener" href="https://raisingchildren.net.au/guides/raising-healthy-minds" target="_blank">Raising Healthy Minds app</a> has information, ideas and guidance for parents to help them support their child’s mental health and well-being.</p> <p>People who are experiencing domestic violence can access support through calling 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visiting the organisation’s <a rel="noopener" href="https://1800respect.org.au/" target="_blank">website</a>.</p> <p>Each state and territory also offers <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/covid-19-and-mental-health" target="_blank">a mental health service</a> to help you access local support:</p> <ul> <li> <p>ACT — Canberra Health Services Access Mental Health on 1800 629 354 or 02 6205 1065 (available 24/7)</p> </li> <li> <p>NSW — Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511 (available 24/7)</p> </li> <li> <p>NT — Northern Territory Mental Health Line on 1800 682 288 (available 24/7)</p> </li> <li> <p>Queensland — Mental health access line on 1300 642 255 (available 24/7)</p> </li> <li> <p>SA — SA COVID-19 Mental Health Support Line on 1800 632 753 (available 8am-8pm)</p> </li> <li> <p>Tasmania — Mental Health Service Helpline on 1800 332 388</p> </li> <li> <p>Victoria — Head to Help on 1800 595 212 (available 8:30am-5pm, Monday to Friday)</p> </li> <li> <p>WA — Mental Health Emergency Response Line on 1300 555 788 (metro) or 1800 676 822 (Peel) (available 24/7).</p> </li> </ul> <hr /> <p><em>If this article has raised issues for you, or if you’re concerned about someone you know, call Lifeline on 13 11 14.</em><img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/174536/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/louise-stone-454952" target="_blank">Louise Stone</a>, General practitioner; Associate Professor, ANU Medical School, <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/australian-national-university-877" target="_blank">Australian National University</a></em></p> <p><em>This article is republished from <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com" target="_blank">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a rel="noopener" href="https://theconversation.com/how-to-look-after-your-mental-health-if-youre-at-home-with-covid-174536" target="_blank">original article</a>.</em></p>

Mind

I just recovered from Omicron – how long does my immunity last?

<div class="copy"> <p>If you recently recovered from an <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/health/covid/omicron-update-170122/" target="_blank">Omicron infection</a>, do you now have free rein to do whatever you want without risk of reinfection? And if so, for how long?</p> <p>Two main factors affect how well your acquired immunity after Omicron infection will protect you.</p> <p>First, your antibody levels. “If high levels of neutralising antibodies are elicited to Omicron following infection, then we would expect to see some level of protection against reinfection with Omicron, but this is likely to be short-lived,” says Professor Gilda Tachedjian, a virologist at the Burnet Institute and past president of the Australian Virology Society.</p> <p>Generally, a more severe infection generates a higher level of antibodies than an asymptomatic infection, explains Professor Anthony Cunningham, an infectious diseases physician and clinical virologist at the University of Sydney. But when the level of neutralising antibodies begins to drop, your likelihood of reinfection rises.</p> <p>It’s simply too early to know how long Omicron immunity will last, he says.</p> <p>From vaccine studies, we know that antibody levels begin to drop after three to six months. A <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanmic/article/PIIS2666-5247(21)00219-6/fulltext" target="_blank">recent study</a> published in <em>The Lancet</em> estimated that reinfection by SARS-CoV-2 under endemic conditions would likely occur between three months and five years after peak antibody response.</p> <p>Almost certainly, Cunningham says, there will be a lot of individual variation, similar to what has been observed with previous strains. This variation depends on the severity of the disease you experienced, and whether you have had a vaccine.</p> <p>The second factor: emerging variants. Our waning antibodies may not be able to target any new variants that come along. The Omicron variant, for example, largely evades immunity from past infection and vaccines. A recent <a rel="noreferrer noopener" href="https://www.imperial.ac.uk/mrc-global-infectious-disease-analysis/covid-19/report-49-Omicron/" target="_blank">report</a> from Imperial College London estimates that the risk of reinfection with Omicron is 5.4 times greater than that of the Delta variant.</p> <p>“The most likely outcome is that you won’t get re-infected with Omicron because the expectation is that the Omicron wave will decline, but then the greatest risk is that another strain comes along,” says Cunningham. “It all depends on what type of strain comes next.”</p> <p>Even if you have had a recent Omicron infection, don’t throw your mask away, warns Cunningham: “The more virus circulates in the world, the more likely it is that we’ll see new strains.”</p> <p>Although protection from reinfection might not last for long, experts think T-cells might come to the rescue.</p> <p>While antibodies directly bind and neutralise virions, preventing an infection, T-cells activate once the infection is established. They target and kill virus-infected cells, helping to clear the infection and reduce its severity. This arm of the immune response tends to be broader than antibodies – and thus more likely to recognise variants, and to last longer, Tachedjian explains.</p> <p>“Hopefully, you will be asymptomatic or have a less severe disease [the second time around].”</p> <em>Image credits: Getty Images </em></div> <div id="contributors"> <p><em>This article was originally published on <a href="https://cosmosmagazine.com/health/covid/immunity-after-omicron-infection/">cosmosmagazine.com</a> and was written by Dr Manuela Callari. </em></p> </div>

Body

Top Covid expert sees an end to pandemic within two months

<p>A top health official in Denmark has predicted that the Covid pandemic could end within two months in some countries, thanks to the Omicron variant. </p> <p><span>Tyra Grove Krause, the chief epidemiologist at Denmark’s State Serum Institute, told <a rel="noopener" href="https://nyheder.tv2.dk/2022-01-03-ssi-vi-kan-have-vores-normale-liv-tilbage-om-to-maaneder" target="_blank">Danish TV 2</a> that a recent study conducted by the institute has found that Covid hospitalisations have halved with Omicron, as opposed to the previous Delta variant. </span></p> <p><span>When questioned about how long the virus will affect daily life in Denmark, she said, </span>“I think it will have that in the next two months, and then I hope the infection will start to subside and we get our normal lives back”.</p> <p>Dr Grove Krause’s research also stated that “Omicron is here to stay”.</p> <p>“It will provide some massive spread of infection in the coming month. When it’s over, we’re in a better place than we were before,” the paper said.</p> <p><span>Dr Grove Krause claims that daily life may return to normal within a few months as more people are likely to become infected, raising the level of natural immunity for the majority of the population.</span><span></span></p> <p>“Omicron will peak at the end of January, and in February we will see declining infection pressure and a decreasing pressure on the health care system,” she said. “But we have to make an effort in January, because it will be hard to get through”.</p> <p>“In the long run, we are in a place where coronavirus is here, but where we have restrained it, and only the particularly vulnerable need to be vaccinated up to the next winter season,” she said.</p> <p>The optimistic news out of Denmark comes just days after the <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.who.int" target="_blank">World Health Organisation</a> made a similarly positive statement about Omicron. </p> <p><span>“If we put an end to inequality, we will put an end to the pandemic and the global nightmare that we have all gone through,” WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a speech on New Year’s Eve.</span></p> <p><span>Top US pandemic Adviser Anthony Fauci also said that the experience in South Africa, where the new variant quickly peaked before subsiding, offered some hope to other countries. </span></p> <p><span>“When one looked at the relationship and the ratio between hospitalisations and cases (in South Africa), it was lower, the duration of hospital stay was lower, the requirements for oxygen was lower,” he said. “We’re seeing a bit of that, not as pronounced, in the UK, but certainly that trend. And if you look here at the United States, we don’t want to get complacent at all, and you don’t want to jump to a positive conclusion, because it’s still early," he said. </span></p> <p><em>Image credits: Getty Images</em></p>

Caring

Pfizer booster may offer important protection against Omicron variant

<p dir="ltr">Pfizer has announced that a booster of its COVID-19 vaccine may improve protection against the new Omicron variant of the virus.</p> <p dir="ltr">Pfizer and its partner BioNTech said on Wednesday that while two doses of the vaccine may not be sufficient protection against the Omicron variant, lab tests showed that a booster shot increased people’s levels of antibodies capable of fighting Omicron by 25-fold. For those who have not yet received a booster, two doses should still prevent severe disease or death.</p> <p dir="ltr">Health authorities in Australia, the US and around the world have been urging those eligible to get a third dose as soon as they are able. Dr Mikael Dolsten, Pfizer’s chief scientific officer, told the<span> </span><em>Associated Press,<span> </span></em>"Go and get your third boost as soon as possible. This is comforting and a very positive message that we now have a plan that will induce immunity that is likely to protect from infection, symptomatic illness and severe disease from now across the entire winter season."</p> <p dir="ltr">US President Joe Biden said the Pfizer booster news was “very encouraging” although he cautioned, “that’s the lab report. There’s more studies going on.” The findings were announced in a press release and have not yet been subject to scientific review.</p> <p dir="ltr">Pfizer tested blood samples taken a month after a booster had been administered and found that people had levels of Omicron-neutralising antibodies that were similar to amounts proven protective against earlier variants after two doses.</p> <p dir="ltr">It’s important to note that scientists don’t yet know how big a threat the Omicron variant is. Delta remains responsible for most of the current COVID-19 cases around the world, but the Omicron variant carries an unusually large number of mutations, and scientists are working quickly to learn how easily it spreads, whether it causes more serious illness than other variants, and how resistant it might be to vaccines.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Jasmin Merdan</em></p>

Caring

WHO finally releases positive Omicron news

<p dir="ltr">Top scientists at the World Health Organisation (WHO) have provided a positive update about the severity of the Omicron COVID-19 variant, but caution that more research is needed.</p> <p dir="ltr">The organisation's second-in-command said the new variant seems to be no worse than any other strain according to “preliminary data”.</p> <p dir="ltr">“In fact, if anything, the direction is towards less severity,” WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.news.com.au/technology/science/who-provides-positive-omicron-news-but-says-more-research-is-needed/news-story/2792b33c69d75dcdc651e69e499cea81" target="_blank">said</a><span> </span>in an interview, though he stressed that more research was needed to confirm the findings.</p> <p dir="ltr">Mr Ryan also said it was “highly unlikely” that existing Covid vaccines would be completely ineffective against Omicron.</p> <p dir="ltr">“We have highly effective vaccines that have proved effective against all variants so far, in terms of severe disease and hospitalisation … There’s no reason to expect that it wouldn’t be so [for Omicron]," he added.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, he acknowledged that it was possible that current vaccines could be less effective against Omicron.</p> <p dir="ltr">The update comes as lab tests of the new variant in South Africa suggest it could partially evade the Pfizer vaccine.</p> <p dir="ltr">The<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.ahri.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/MEDRXIV-2021-267417v1-Sigal.pdf" target="_blank">South African study</a><span> </span>- which is yet to be published or peer-reviewed - suggests that the Pfizer vaccine isn’t fully effective against the Omicron variant, finding that the vaccine may have fewer antibodies that can neutralise the new strain.</p> <p dir="ltr">Professor Alex Sigal, a virologist at the Africa Health Research Institute and the study’s leader, said Omicron’s ability to evade the vaccine antibodies is “incomplete”, the<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-59573037" target="_blank"><em>BBC</em></a><span> </span>reported.</p> <p dir="ltr">Professor Penny Ward, a visiting Professor at King’s College London,<span> </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.sciencemediacentre.org/expert-reaction-to-preprint-of-lab-study-from-south-africa-looking-at-omicron-and-extent-of-pfizer-vaccine-immune-escape/" target="_blank">said</a><span> </span>that the findings are unsurprising, given the large number of mutations found in the Omicron strain.</p> <p dir="ltr">Despite the decreased effectiveness, Professor Sigal said that vaccination, combined with previous infection, could still protect individuals from severe symptoms. This also suggests that boosters could be of significant benefit.</p> <p dir="ltr">However, more work will be needed to confirm these findings, due to the study’s small sample size of only 12 patients.</p> <p dir="ltr">More data on the effectiveness of the vaccine against Omicron is expected to be released in the coming days.</p> <p dir="ltr">No significant data has been released confirming the effectiveness of the Moderna, AstraZeneca, or other vaccines against the variant.</p> <p dir="ltr"><em>Image: Getty Images</em></p>

Caring

Hospitalisation of children sparks concern over Omicron Covid variant

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A South African doctor has expressed concern over the effects of the new Omicron COVID-19 variant on children, saying that more have been hospitalised with moderate to severe symptoms as a result.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dr Rudo Mathivha, head of Intensive Care at Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital, said the number of patients reporting to hospitals has increased exponentially since the new variant took hold.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She said the hospital has reportedly admitted around 5-10 children at a time.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The doctor also spoke of a 15-year-old with the virus who had died after his condition rapidly deteriorated, as well as of a 17-year-old who had been placed on a ventilator in ICU with coronavirus-related pneumonia.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">However, it is unclear whether they both had the Omicron variant.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The situation is pretty concerning,” Dr Mathivha told the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC).</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">The omicron variant is sending more children to hospital in South Africa. Infants, who largely only had a mild course of illness with previous variants are now experiencing moderate to severe symptoms.<br /><br />H/T: <a href="https://twitter.com/KatePri35772611?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KatePri35772611</a> & <a href="https://twitter.com/NjbBari3?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NjbBari3</a>.<a href="https://t.co/DmdM47dGts">pic.twitter.com/DmdM47dGts</a></p> — Dr Zoë Hyde (@DrZoeHyde) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrZoeHyde/status/1467377852274266112?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Because this is not something that we had observed with the first, second and third wave.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“... In the past, the children used to get a Covid infection … and it wouldn’t really put them down, it wouldn’t really send them to hospital in big numbers to be admitted.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We are now seeing them coming in with moderate to severe symptoms needing supplemental oxygen, needing supportive therapy, needing to stay in hospital for quite a number of days.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“But what really broke my heart yesterday was a 15-year-old previously well child, no illness. Two day history of fever, comes into the hospital, tests positive for Covid and literally deteriorates in front of our eyes and nothing, no supportive therapy that we could do could help him.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dr Mathivha <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nzherald.co.nz/world/covid-19-omicron-outbreak-children-hospitalised-with-moderate-to-severe-symptoms/QCNS4VJU3H2WEN3UOJU5PEZXYM/" target="_blank">said</a> the boy was the first “child who had no comorbidities, and nothing existing before” who had died of Covid that she was aware of.</span></p> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> <p dir="ltr">Stark warning from experienced clinician at the front line. <br /><br />Hospitals are not made to handle mass paediatric casualties of the toddler age group. Not only in South Africa… anywhere… <a href="https://t.co/RkrF0jbaJs">pic.twitter.com/RkrF0jbaJs</a></p> — #MasksInSchools Dr Noor Bari (@NjbBari3) <a href="https://twitter.com/NjbBari3/status/1467300490790592519?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 5, 2021</a></blockquote> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She also warned that the hospital may not be able to accommodate any more children soon, describing it as a “major problem” for the hospital to face.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Our hospitals were not built to house a lot of children. Because naturally children do not get that sick in multitude,” she explained.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We will not be able to accommodate them, and I’m not saying this to make people panic.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I am saying this to say, all these preventive measures we take to interrupt the transmission of Covid let them be applied to the children as well.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As South Africa faces its fourth wave of the virus, children remain ineligible for vaccination.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The South African Government said the new variant of COVID-19 has been disproportionately affecting children under five, while experts rubbish the idea that the variant is “mild”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The incidence in those under five is now second highest, second only to those over 60,” government advisor Waasila Jassat told reporters in Johannesburg.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She said there has been “quite a sharp increase” in hospital admissions “across all groups but particularly in the under five” demographic.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though the Omicron variant was first detected in Botswana, the neighbouring country of South Africa has become the epicentre of the strain, with the city of Tshwane, in the Gauteng province, becoming one of the worst affected regions.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">An analysis by South Africa’s National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) has found a recent surge in toddlers being admitted to hospital due to Covid.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dr Waasila Jassat, from the NICD, said young children seemed to be “more at risk”, but it was unclear whether the surge in admissions was linked to Omicron.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“When you look at the numbers of admission by age, what we normally see is a large number of admissions in older people,” Dr Jassat said during a media briefing held by the Department of Health.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“But in this early resurgence in Tshwane, we are seeing most admissions in the 0-2 age group. And we are seeing a large number of admissions in the middle ages, sort of around 28 to 38.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dr Jassat noted that the trend could be due to children under 12 still being unvaccinated, and because parents were more concerned about the new variant, making them more likely to take their children to hospital at the first signs of illness.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The very young children have an immature immune system and they are also not vaccinated, so they are more at risk.”</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Getty Images</span></em></p>

News

Why Omicron could be our "get out of pandemic" card

<p>A leading epidemiologist has discussed how the new Covid-19 Omicron variant could be the "blessing" experts have been waiting for. </p> <p>Appearing on <a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/sunrise/on-the-show/leading-epidemiologist-claims-omicron-could-be-our-way-out-of-pandemic-c-4782308" target="_blank">Sunrise</a>, Professor Tony Blakely said Omicron could be the pathway out of the pandemic if it proves to be more infectious but less severe, as experts have predicted. </p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">“A year ago we were hoping that a more infectious, but less virulent variant comes along, which is what Omicron might be,” he said on Thursday.</p> <p>The variant was first reported after cases emerged in South Africa, and initial reports indicate that the new strain of the virus is more transmissible but causes less severe illness than Delta. </p> <p>The <a rel="noopener" href="https://7news.com.au/sunrise/on-the-show/leading-epidemiologist-claims-omicron-could-be-our-way-out-of-pandemic-c-4782308" target="_blank">World Health Organisation</a> expected to be able to provide clearer information on the Omicron variant "within days".</p> <p>The University of Melbourne virus expert has said there are early signs that Omicron could "displace" the dominant Delta strain, while also stressing that it is too early to make an official statement.</p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">“This one should be more mild, but we don’t know exactly how much more mild it is, so that means that the hospitalisation rate should be less severe,” he explained.”</p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">“It might become our get out of the pandemic card.”</p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">Despite this seemingly good news, Professor Blakely also warned that although Omicron appears to be less dangerous than Delta, the next strain may not be.</p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">“There will be more variants, and it is not guaranteed that the variant after Omicron and the next one will each be milder, it could become more severe.”</p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020">“So it’s a really interesting time to be an epidemiologist.”</p> <p class="css-1316j2p-StyledParagraph e4e0a020"><em>Image credits: Getty Images / Sunrise</em></p> <p> </p> <p> </p>

Caring

Omicron doctor declares no reason for panic

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">One of the first doctors to identify the Omicron variant of COVID-19 has said there is too much “hype” around it and criticised government decisions to close borders and reimpose travel restrictions.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Dr Angelique Coetzee, the chair of the South African Medical Association was one of the first doctors who suspected that a new kind of coronavirus had emerged.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">She has criticised travel restrictions and said they served no purpose as those with the new variant weren’t experiencing severe symptoms.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Looking at the mildness of the symptoms that we are seeing, currently there’s no reason for panicking as we don’t see severely ill patients,” Dr Coetzee </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/coronavirus-omicron-updates-doctor-says-symptoms-mild/78a27c87-9857-45fc-af3d-ae9e6aee41ef"><span style="font-weight: 400;">said</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“The hype that’s been created currently out there in the media and worldwide, doesn’t correlate with the clinical picture.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Cases of people with the Omicron variant have been recorded in the UK, Germany, Belgium and Italy, as well as Israel, Botswana and Hong Kong.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Two cases were recorded in Australia over the weekend, after genomic testing confirmed that the two international arrivals to Sydney who tested positive to COVID-19 had the new variant.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">They were among 14 people arriving from southern Africa, with the remaining 12 now undertaking 14 days of hotel quarantine.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">About 260 passengers and air crew have been identified as close contacts and directed to isolate.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Around the country, there are fears the new variant could alter reopening plans. In Queensland, businesses have called for the government to stick with the easing of restrictions in mid-December, while Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Brett Sutton has said the state won’t return to “square one” in terms of lockdowns and restrictions.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet has said the state will continue with its current roadmap, with restrictions to ease on December 15.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“At the moment we’re sticking to that (reopening) plan,” he told </span><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/coronavirus/dominic-perrottet-says-nsw-government-is-sticking-with-plans-to-ease-restrictions-on-december-15-amid-omicron-fears/news-story/1903551bc8855ebff3ee1352a332e85c" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Sky News Australia</span></a></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“I think this is just another example COVID is going to be with us for some time and the best thing we can do as a state is keep that vaccination level as high as possible.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The emergence of the Omicron variant comes as the World Health Organisation has called out wealthy countries for hoarding COVID-19 vaccines and administering third doses while other countries struggle to vaccinate their own populations.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">As of Sunday, </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/2021/11/covid-19-vaccine-rollout-update-28-november-2021.pdf" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">86.7 percent</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of Australians over the age of 16 have been fully vaccinated, whereas only about </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-59442129" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">24 percent</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;"> of South Africa’s population have had both jabs.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Getty Images</span></em></p>

News

Travel bans aren’t the answer to stopping new COVID variant Omicron

<p>There is global concern and widespread alarm at the discovery of SARS-CoV-2 variant B.1.1.529, which the World Health Organization (WHO) has called Omicron.</p> <p>The <a href="https://www.who.int/news/item/26-11-2021-classification-of-omicron-(b.1.1.529)-sars-cov-2-variant-of-concern">WHO classified Omicron</a> as a “variant of concern” because it has a wide range of mutations. This suggests vaccines and treatments could be less effective.</p> <p>Although early days, Omicron appears to be able to reinfect people more easily than other strains.</p> <p>Australia has followed other countries and regions – including the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and the European Union – and <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-27/new-quarantine-rules-omicron-covid-variant-australia/100656016">banned travellers</a> from nine southern African countries.</p> <p>Australians <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-11-27/new-quarantine-rules-omicron-covid-variant-australia/100656016">seeking to return home from southern Africa</a> will still be able to do so. But they will enter hotel quarantine and be tested. Those who have returned from the nine countries – South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, the Seychelles, Malawi and Mozambique – in the past 14 days will have to isolate.</p> <p>But Omicron has already been detected in other regions, including the UK, Germany, Israel, Hong Kong and Belgium. So while a travel ban on southern African countries may slow the spread and buy limited time, it’s unlikely to stop it.</p> <p>As the Australian government and others act to protect their own citizens, this should be accompanied by additional resources to support countries in southern Africa and elsewhere that take prompt action.</p> <h2>When was Omicron detected?</h2> <p>The variant was identified on November 22 in South Africa, from a sample collected from a patient on <a href="https://www.who.int/news/item/26-11-2021-classification-of-omicron-(b.1.1.529)-sars-cov-2-variant-of-concern">November 9</a>.</p> <p>South African virologists took prompt action, conferred with colleagues through the <a href="https://www.ngs-sa.org/ngs-sa_network_for_genomic_surveillance_south_africa/">Network of Genomic Surveillance in South Africa</a>, liaised with government, and notified the World Health Organization on November 24.</p> <p>This is in keeping with the <a href="https://www.who.int/health-topics/international-health-regulations#tab=tab_1">International Health Regulations</a> that guide how countries should respond.</p> <p>The behaviour of this new variant is still unclear. Some have claimed the rate of growth of Omicron infections, which reflects its transmissibility, may be even higher than those of the Delta variant. This “growth advantage” is yet to be proven but is concerning.</p> <h2>‘Kneejerk’ response vs WHO recommendations</h2> <p>African scientists and politicians <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/nov/26/south-africa-b11529-covid-variant-vaccination">have been disappointed</a> in what they see as a “kneejerk” response from countries imposing travel bans. They argue the bans will have significant negative effects for the South African economy, which traditionally welcomes global tourists over the summer year-end period.</p> <p>They note it is still unclear whether the new variant originated in South Africa, even if it was first identified there. As Omicron has already been detected in several other countries, it may already be circulating in regions not included in the travel bans.</p> <p>Travel bans on countries detecting new variants, and the subsequent economic costs, may also act as a disincentive for countries to reveal variants of concern in future.</p> <p>The WHO <a href="https://www.who.int/news-room/articles-detail/updated-who-recommendations-for-international-traffic-in-relation-to-covid-19-outbreak">does not generally recommend</a> flight bans or other forms of travel embargoes. Instead, it argues interventions of proven value should be prioritised: vaccination, hand hygiene, physical distancing, well-fitted masks, and good ventilation.</p> <p>In response to variants of concern, the WHO calls on all countries to enhance surveillance and sequencing, report initial cases or clusters, and undertake investigations to improve understanding of the variant’s behaviour.</p> <p>Omicron must be taken seriously. Its features are worrying, but there are large gaps in our current knowledge. While further analyses are undertaken, the variant should be controlled with testing, tracing, isolation, applying known public health measures, and ongoing surveillance.</p> <h2>What can wealthier countries do to help?</h2> <p>Wealthy countries such as Australia should support African nations and others to share early alerts of potentially serious communicable disease threats, and help mitigate these threats.</p> <p>As the <a href="https://theindependentpanel.org/mainreport/">Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response</a> noted in May:</p> <blockquote> <p>[…] public health actors only see downsides from drawing attention to an outbreak that has the potential to spread.</p> </blockquote> <p>The panel recommended creating incentives to reward early response action. This could include support to:</p> <ul> <li>establish research and educational partnerships</li> <li>strengthen health systems and communicable disease surveillance</li> <li>greatly improve vaccine availability, distribution, and equity</li> <li>consider financial compensation, through some form of solidarity fund against pandemic risk.</li> </ul> <h2>Boosting vaccine coverage is key</h2> <p>Vaccines remain the mainstay of protection against the most severe effects of COVID-19.</p> <p>It’s unclear how effective vaccines will be against Omicron, but some degree of protection is presumed likely. Pfizer has also indicated it could develop an effective vaccine against a new variant such as <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/omicron-variant-covid-vaccine-tweaked-b1965155.html">Omicron within 100 days or so</a>.</p> <p>COVID’s persistence is partly attributable to patchy immunisation coverage across many parts of the world, notably those least developed. South Africa itself is better off than most countries on the continent, yet only <a href="https://ourworldindata.org/covid-vaccinations">24% of the adult population are currently fully vaccinated</a>. For the whole of Africa, this drops to only 7.2%.</p> <p>Greater global support is urgently needed to boost these vaccination rates.</p> <p>African institutions and leaders, supported by global health and vaccine experts, have argued for mRNA vaccine manufacturing facilities on the African continent. These would prioritise regional populations, overcome supply-chain problems, and respond in real time to emerging disease threats.</p> <p>Yet developing nations face <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/nov/25/australian-government-trying-to-have-it-both-ways-on-covid-vaccine-ip-waiver">significant barriers</a> to obtaining intellectual property around COVID-19 vaccine development and production.</p> <p>While there is still much to learn about the behaviour and impact of Omicron, the global community must demonstrate and commit real support to countries that do the right thing by promptly and transparently sharing information.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/172736/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /></p> <p><span><a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/anthony-zwi-144612">Anthony Zwi</a>, Professor of Global Health and Development, <em><a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/unsw-1414">UNSW</a></em></span></p> <p>This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/travel-bans-arent-the-answer-to-stopping-new-covid-variant-omicron-172736">original article</a>.</p> <p><em>Image: Shuttershock</em></p>

International Travel

“They did everything right”: Couple die of Covid one minute apart

<p>A couple from Michigan have died from Covid-19 within just one minute of each other.</p> <p>Linda Dunham, 66, and her husband Cal, 59, passed away holding hands after they were struck down by the deadly Delta variant that is ravaging the US. </p> <p>The couple were both fully vaccinated, but both of them had serious underlying health conditions that made them more susceptible to serious infection. </p> <p>The couple's daughter Sarah spoke to <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.fox17online.com/news/coronavirus/grand-rapids-couple-dies-1-minute-apart-from-covid-19" target="_blank">a local news station</a>, saying that they were perfect parents. </p> <p><span>“The love that they found together after a previous marriage is fantastic,” she said. </span></p> <p><span>“They were the people that you just looked at and you were like, ‘I want to be old like that, I want that love when I’m that age.’ "</span></p> <p><span>Their lives began to change in July, when both Linda and Cal started to feel unwell during a camping trip. </span></p> <p><span>They first thought it was just a common cold, but by the third day they felt sick enough to cut their outing short. </span></p> <p><span>Within days, Cal and Linda were admitted to the local hospital and intubated, as their undisclosed pre-existing conditions worsened the severity of their infections. </span></p> <p><span>The doctors told their family members that they would have to be taken off life support, but as Sarah said, "they had other plans".</span></p> <div class="crd clln--it" data-type="text"> <div class=" crd--cnt "> <p class=" ">The two were wheeled into the same room on Sunday, and moments later, Cal Dunham died at 11:07am Linda Dunham followed less than a minute later, dying at 11:08.</p> </div> </div> <div class="crd clln--it" data-type="text"> <div class=" crd--cnt "> <p>Their passing happened as Linda said it always would, according to Sarah. </p> <p><span>“She always joked and said, ‘Well, you’re going to go before I am, I’ll be right there behind you, I promise,’ " Sarah Dunham said. </span></p> <p><span>“And she really was, like she really was right there behind him.”</span></p> <p><span>Cases such as the Dunham's are reasons why many in the US are pushing for booster shot to be administered for those with pre-exisiting conditions. </span></p> <p><span>Sarah wants her parents to be an example of how serious the virus can be, and is urging people to get vaccinated. </span></p> <p>“I’m angry because so many people are like, ‘if I catch Covid, I catch Covid that’s what it is.’ No, it’s not,” she said.</p> <p>“It could be any person; it could be anybody. They did everything right, they did everything to protocol the way it should be done.”</p> <p>The various available Covid vaccines have been proven to reduce the risk of catching the virus and severely reduce the symptoms of those who get it.</p> <p>According to America’s Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, unvaccinated people are 10 times more likely to be hospitalised and 11 times more likely to die from the virus.</p> <p><em>Image credit: Facebook</em></p> </div> </div>

Caring

Delta variant more infectious than Wuhan strain, study finds

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">A new study from the UK has found that the Delta strain of COVID-19 is eight times less sensitive to vaccine antibodies than the original Wuhan strain.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The study also found that changes to the spike protein in the Delta variant improved its ability to replicate and enter cells, in comparison to the Kappa variant.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The authors say this might explain how the Delta strain has become the most dominant variation of the disease.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The study, published in the journal </span><em><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03944-y" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">Nature</span></a></em><span style="font-weight: 400;">, compared the mutated Delta variant against the mutated Wuhan-1 variant which was used to develop the vaccines.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">The team, led by Ravindra Gupta, a professor of clinical microbiology at the Cambridge Institute of Therapeutic Immunology and Infectious Disease, also analysed infections of 130 healthcare workers across three hospitals in Delhi, India, over six weeks.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though each of the workers studied had received both doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, the researchers found that the vaccine was less effective against the Delta variant than other variants.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“By combining lab-based experiments and epidemiology of vaccine breakthrough infections, we’ve shown that the Delta variant is better at replicating and spreading than other commonly-observed variants,” Professor Gupta </span><a rel="noopener" href="https://www.cam.ac.uk/research/news/spread-of-delta-sars-cov-2-variant-driven-by-combination-of-immune-escape-and-increased-infectivity" target="_blank"><span style="font-weight: 400;">said</span></a><span style="font-weight: 400;">.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Joint senior author Dr Patha Rakshit from the National Centre for Disease Control, Delhi, India, said: “The Delta variant has spread so widely to become the dominant variants worldwide because it is faster to spread and better at infecting individuals than most other variants we’ve seen.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It is also better at getting around existing immunity - either through previous exposure to the virus or vaccination - though the risk of moderate to severe disease is reduced in such cases.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Professor Anurag Agrawal from the CSIR Institute of Genomics and Integrative Biology, Delhi, India and joint senior author said the infection of healthcare workers with the Delta variant could have severe consequences.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Although they themselves may only exhibit mild COVID, they risk infecting individuals who have suboptimal immune responses to vaccination due to underlying health conditions - and these patients could then be at risk of severe disease,” Professor Agrawal said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">With their findings, Gupta and his colleagues say we will need to develop strategies for boosting the effectiveness of vaccines against variants of COVID-19.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“We urgently need to consider ways of boosting vaccine responses against variants among healthcare workers,” Professor Agrawal added.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“[This research] also suggests infection control measures will need to continue in the post-vaccine era.”</span></p>

Body

“Hermit nation”: New Zealand slammed by overseas pundits

<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">After New Zealand returned to lockdown over one case infected with the Delta COVID-19 strain, international critics quickly called out the country’s cautious strategy.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">British newspaper </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Times</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> labelled New Zealand as a “mysterious socialist hermit nation” where the inhabitants “languish in a COVID prison”, while </span><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">The Telegraph</span></em><span style="font-weight: 400;"> described the country as a “isolated dystopia”.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Despite the criticisms, a recent poll by public polling company Stickybeak found that 84 percent of those surveyed supported the decision to enter lockdown.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Though the country’s reliance on harsh lockdowns has meant many New Zealanders overseas have been unable to return and those in-country can’t see overseas family members, many agree with the focus on eliminating COVID.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Charlotte Guigou, a 28-year-old teacher in Wellington is one of the supporters, despite it meaning she can’t see her family in France. </span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“This lockdown was really tough, but before that we were just living life like normal, and it was all good, it was really chill,” she said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“It does seem like the pain of not having borders open, for what we get in return, for the lifestyle we get in return, is still worth it.”</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Prior to the most recent lockdown, New Zealanders have been enjoying sports games, music festivals, and outdoor gatherings as per normal, with only 3000 cases and 26 deaths recorded so far.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Anna Robinson, who has recently returned to New Zealand after spending most of the pandemic in Europe, has also missed out on special family moments due to lockdown.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">But, she thinks it is a price worth paying to protect people who are vulnerable or have underlying health conditions.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">“Lockdown feels like a very small price to pay for the amount of freedom and safety for the community that will come after,” she said.</span></p> <p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Just ten days after the country went into lockdown, the outbreak had spread to 347 cases, with one person in intensive care as of Friday.</span></p> <p><em><span style="font-weight: 400;">Image: Getty Images</span></em></p>

Travel Trouble

‘Creepy Mummy’ Jacinda Ardern doll proves a big hit

<p>In the face of a growing COVID outbreak, New Zealand residents were given a reason to laugh on Monday when they were shown a ‘creepy’ doll version of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.</p> <p>Ms Ardern’s partner Clarke Gayford took to Instagram to share a video of the disturbing hand-made doll, sent to them by someone unknown.</p> <p>In the video, Gayford says the doll has become one of their three-year-old daughter, Neve’s favourite toys and she calls it ‘Creepy Mummy.”</p> <p>Aware that everyone in New Zealand is in a strict lockdown, Gayford says on the video: "Well Hi everyone, welcome to Monday. Who doesn't want a 30-second distraction to try and help get them through the start of the week?"</p> <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTLNkXZhlZq/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="13"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;"><a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/CTLNkXZhlZq/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=loading" target="_blank">A post shared by Clarke Gayford (@clarkegayford)</a></p> </div> </blockquote> <p>"So, I give you this. We get given all sorts of wonderful hand-made arts and crafts here and when I say we — Neve," he continues, brushing the doll's hair with her facing away from the camera.</p> <p>"And there's some real talent in this country, some incredible talent, and she's a very lucky three-year-old.</p> <p>"Some of the things make their way into our home and into our three-year-old's heart," he said.</p> <p>"Including this wonderful dolly, which Neve has even given a name," he says, before dramatically revealing the doll's face.</p> <p>"She calls this dolly 'Creepy Mummy' and 'Creepy Mummy' would just like to say: 'Hang in there. You got this. Even though it's Monday.'"</p> <p>According to Gayford, the doll was sent to them without any details attached, but it's much loved by the smallest member of their family— despite the nickname.</p> <p>Fans loved the video, many agreeing it was the laugh they needed as New Zealand faces an outbreak of the highly contagious Delta variant.</p> <p><em>Image: Instagram</em></p>

Family & Pets

Elderly man collapses when arrested for not wearing a face mask

<p>A video of the incident has been posted on social media, showing the elderly man crumpling to the ground and going into spasm just minutes after being arrested.</p> <p>The man was arrested for ‘not wearing a mask in public’ in Brisbane where there is a snap lockdown due to an increase in COVID cases and one of the conditions of the lockdown is that face masks must be worn in public at all times.</p> <p>However, this elderly man allegedly has an official exemption due to a serious medical condition.</p> <p>The distressing incident was filmed on Monday morning in Brisbane's Botanic Gardens after Queensland's lockdown was extended to stem the spread of Covid in the community.</p> <p><iframe allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no" id="molvideoplayer" title="MailOnline Embed Player" src="https://www.dailymail.co.uk/embed/video/2472921.html" width="698" height="573" frameborder="0"></iframe></p> <p>According to the man's son, who shared the footage online, the elderly man suffers from a medical condition which causes him breathing difficulties and heart problems.</p> <p>During the arrest, he fell to the floor and started to spasm, gasping for air with his hands waving as he tried to reach for his backpack - which contained his medication.</p> <p>When the police realised the man was in serious distress, they called an ambulance and paramedics arrived on the scene shortly after. They couldn’t identify a medical issue but they took the man to hospital as a precaution.</p> <p>The distressing scenes were filmed by the elderly man's partner. The video appears to show four police officers questioning the man as they arrest him and lead him away from the park for failing to answer their questions.</p> <p>The elderly man’s partner repeatedly tries to tell the officers the man has an exemption to wearing a mask. But an officer was recorded as stating he “was not confident [the man] would comply with directives” if he were to remove the handcuffs.</p> <p>As the man was led away from the park in handcuffs, the footage shows him dramatically dropping to the floor and beginning to spasm.</p> <p>The officers immediately respond, trying to turn the man on his side as his partner screams for help, explaining there is medication in a pocket of his bag.</p> <p>An officer was filmed explaining he was legally not allowed to administer the medication, while a female policewoman reassured the woman that an ambulance had been called.</p> <p>The elderly man’s son has posted the video on social media, stating: “He did not do anything illegal, he did not retaliate in a violent manner. He was conducting himself peacefully and not looking for trouble.”</p> <p>He then posed several questions to the officers who arrested his dad, wanting to know exactly what he did to wind up in handcuffs and under arrest.</p> <p>Queensland is in the midst of a Delta COVID variant outbreak. As a result, the Sunshine State is enduring a week-long snap lockdown in an attempt to keep cases at bay.</p> <p>Chief Health Officer, Jeanette Young, has mandated that face masks be worn everywhere outside the home to minimise the risk of spreading or catching the virus.</p> <p>Police have stated they are investigating the incident to check if any possible offences were committed on that day.</p> <p><em>Image: Courtesy of Instagram</em></p>

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New fears as COVID-19 UK variant mutates again

<div class="post_body_wrapper"> <div class="post_body"> <div class="body_text redactor-styles redactor-in"> <p>Scientists have warned that the highly contagious UK variant of COVID-19 has mutated again and may give the virus the ability to evade the immune system.</p> <p>Public Health England reported that some sample tests detected genomes with the E484K mutation, which has been seen in the highly contagious South African and Brazilian variants of COVID-19.</p> <p>Calum Semple told<span> </span><em>BBC</em><span> </span>radio that this mutation is of "most concern" and seems to have developed spontaneously in the UK varient.</p> <p>“The mutation of most concern, which we call E484K, has also occurred spontaneously in the new Kent strain in parts of the country too,” said Professor Semple, a member of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE).</p> <p>UK Health Secretary Matt Hancock said that a further 11 cases of mutations of concern had been identified in Bristol and 32 in Liverpool.</p> <p>Authorities in parts of London, the West Midlands, East, South East and North West England have started offering door-to-door and mobile COVID-19 testing in a push to test 80,000 people for the mutation.</p> <p>“In all these areas it is imperative that people must stay at home and only leave home where it is absolutely essential,” Hancock said.</p> <p>Testing is being offered to everyone in these areas over the age of 16, even if they have had the vaccine.</p> <p>“The message is more important than ever to stay at home, maintain social distancing and get tested," Hancock explained.</p> <p>“We must all keep at it, we’ve sacrificed so much,” he added, warning of “difficult weeks ahead”.</p> </div> </div> </div>

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Elderly man collapses when arrested for not wearing a face mask

New fears as COVID-19 UK variant mutates again