Category: Omicron variant

Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 New Host Protease Reduces Omicron Variant Infection: Study

Researchers at the University of Hong Kong have discovered that membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases (MT-MMP) and disintegrin and metalloproteinase (ADAM) on cell membranes could guide SARS-CoV-2 invasion as intermediaries for invading cells, thus accelerating the infection. They also confirmed that by accelerating the infection, inhibiting MMP can effectively fight against Omicron BA. 1. The study results…


‘It Doesn’t Make Sense,’ Experts Trying to Explain White Lungs in China

While the official data from China reports mild disease and low mortalities surrounding the latest COVID-19 outbreaks, Chinese social media is awash with reports of “white lung,” a form of pneumonia often seen in moderate to severe disease. Anecdotal accounts of deaths after infections, and overwhelmed hospitals and morgues, have flooded Weibo and Chinese short-form video…


Concerning Reports of White Lungs in China, Experts Weigh In

While the official data from China reports mild disease and low mortalities surrounding the latest COVID-19 outbreaks, Chinese social media is awash with reports of “white lung,” a form of pneumonia often seen in moderate to severe disease. Anecdotal accounts of deaths after infections, and overwhelmed hospitals and morgues, have flooded Weibo and Chinese short-form video…


Feds to Implement National Booster Vaccine Campaign Next Week

The federal government will implement a national campaign next week encouraging Canadians to receive booster doses of the COVID-19 vaccine, says Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos. “It’s like a phone battery … you recharge your phone battery by plugging into electricity, you recharge your vaccination protection by taking action and getting [a booster],” Duclos said of the initiative dubbed…


Study: China Achieves High Covid Vaccination Rate Using Low Efficacy Vaccines

Recent medical studies showed that the COVID-19 vaccines manufactured in China by Sinopharm and Sinovac Biotech lack the ability to cause production of sufficient neutralizing antibodies to combat the rapid spread of Omicron variants of the virus. Neutralizing antibodies bind to a pathogen and block it from causing infection. The level of antibodies produced is one…


China’s Real Estate Boom Slows, Igniting Fears of a Debt Crisis and Recession

China’s local government revenues and overall economy are dependent on the strength of the housing and commercial real estate sectors. Their combined revenues account for 25 percent of China’s GDP. Efforts to stimulate these sectors over the past decade were successful in attracting foreign investors and fueling the growth of developers. But recent data shows…


HSI Fell 769 Points Below the 20,000 Mark Amid US Interest Rate Hike and China’s Pandemic

Hong Kong’s Hang Seng Index (HSI) opened low at 353 points on April 25 before falling further and further to the 20,000 mark. The U.S. interest rate hike intensified. The Dow plunged 981 points on April 22; Asian stocks collapsed on April 25; the HSI fell 769 points, down about 3.7 percent. The day’s high…


Almost One-Third of the Canadian Population Has Been Infected With COVID, Evidence Suggests

More than two years into the COVID-19 pandemic and months after the onset of the Omicron variant, roughly a third of the Canadian population has been infected with the virus, according to an expert and mounting research. Dr. Catherine Hankins, co-chair of the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force, told Global News that the Omicron variant that hit…


Almost One-Third of the Canadian Population Has Been Infected With COVID-19, Data Suggests

More than two years into the COVID-19 pandemic and months after the onset of the Omicron variant, roughly a third of the Canadian population has been infected with the virus, according to an expert and mounting research. Dr. Catherine Hankins, co-chair of the COVID-19 Immunity Task Force, told Global News that the Omicron variant that hit…


Capitol Report (April 6): US Stops Shipments of COVID Drug; Biden Announces New Sanctions on Russia

President Joe Biden is facing mounting pressure from Congress over his plans to revive the Iran nuclear deal. Democrats and Republicans say it could enrich Iran, help Russia, and put the free world in danger. Who’s to blame for the soaring gas prices? Democrats grilled executives from big oil companies, while Republicans say it’s Biden’s…