The World Health Organization (WHO) rejects treatment of Covid patients with immune plasma from convalescents. A WHO expert group comes in an article in the journal BMJ to this conclusion. According to the current study situation, Covid-19 patients neither have a better chance of survival, nor does a transfusion with plasma reduce the risk of having to be ventilated, according to the article. The experts reviewed 16 studies with a total of more than 16,000 patients. In particularly severe cases, the study situation is still uncertain, which is why the experts are not against further studies in such patients with plasma.
In autumn 2020, passive immunization with the help of blood plasma from people who survived Covid-19 and formed antibodies against coronaviruses was still considered a promising therapy. Something like this has already been used for other diseases, such as Sars, Mers or influenza, it was said at the time, for example, at a conference of the German Society for Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematology. The effect was not yet proven at the time, because there were no randomized studies with control groups. (07.12.2021)
Great Britain is tightening entry rules again because of Omikron
Travelers to the UK must show a negative corona test from this Tuesday before they can enter the country. The regulation applies to all adults as well as children and adolescents from the age of twelve. The PCR or antigen test must not be older than 48 hours. The British Ministry of Health announced that the measure is intended to slow the spread of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus.
The government had previously made a post-arrival PCR test mandatory for all travelers. A quarantine obligation applies until a negative result is received. The government in London has also imposed a ten-day hotel quarantine on people arriving from several African countries, including South Africa and Nigeria, at their own expense.
Critics had described the travel restrictions as ineffective, as the Omikron variant is already circulating in Great Britain. Domestic contact restrictions are more important, experts demanded. But the government of Prime Minister Boris Johnson does not want to get involved, apart from a reintroduction of the mask requirement in shops and public transport. “We’re still waiting to see how dangerous it is, what effect it has on deaths and hospital admissions,” Johnson said on Monday about the Omicron variant. (07.12.2021)
New cases in Russia and Thailand – Omikron continues to spread
According to agency reports, Russia reports the first Omikron cases. The new variant of the corona virus was found in two people returning from South Africa, reports the RIA, citing the health authority. Last week, President Vladimir Putin ordered a plan of action to be drawn up for the new variant.
The first case of the omicron variant has also been detected in Thailand. The infected person is an American citizen who entered from Spain just under a week ago, said the Ministry of Health in Bangkok. Two tests on November 30 and December 3 showed that the virus variant was 99 percent certain, according to the authorities. Thailand reopened its borders to tourists from dozens of countries in early November, including Germany. The fear of the new variant spreading is therefore great. (December 06, 2021)
Australia approves vaccine for children
In Australia, the drug agency has now approved the corona vaccine from Biontech and Pfizer for children aged five to eleven. The vaccinations in this age group can start on January 10th, as Health Minister Greg Hunt announced. After initial delays, Australia quickly became one of the countries with the highest vaccination rate in the world: almost 88 percent of Australians over the age of 16 have already been vaccinated twice. (05.12.2021)
Corona travel restrictions: See you in Australia
Thousands of people demonstrated in Vienna against compulsory vaccination
For the third weekend in a row, thousands of people took to the streets in Vienna on Saturday to protest against the currently applicable lockdown and the announced compulsory corona vaccination. According to the police, more than 40,000 people took part, and there were also around 1,500 counter-demonstrators. 1,200 police officers were on duty. Despite announcements that an FFP2 mask is compulsory at the rallies, the overwhelming majority, according to the police, did not adhere to it.
There were five arrests during the afternoon and two officers were injured. Protesters threw pyrotechnics and the security forces used tear gas, the police said. In Austria, a nationwide lockdown has been in effect again since November 22nd – for those who have been vaccinated and recovered as well as for those who have not been vaccinated. Restaurants, cafes, hotels, retail and leisure and cultural facilities are closed. Only shops for daily needs are open. From the beginning of February there should be compulsory vaccination. (05.12.2021)