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Added on the 27/01/2021 12:22:24 - Copyright : AFP EN
A faith-based retreat for high school boys in Wisconsin morphed into a COVID-19 superspreader event, leaving 115 people positive for the novel coronavirus. Business Insider reports 76% of campers and staffers came down with COVID-19 after a single camper developed symptoms. The camp implemented some mitigation strategies, like requiring the 152 attendees to quarantine at home for a week before travel. However, it didn't require mask wearing or social distancing during the retreat. Public health officials say attendees should have quarantined for two weeks, not one. One bit of encouraging news? 24 people who had antibodies against the virus before attending the camp never tested positive for COVID-19. These findings provide preliminary evidence that detectable antibodies might provide protection against new SARS-CoV-2 infections for an unknown duration. Wisconsin Department of Health Services
Even though we're in a new year, our daily routine and its accompanying COVID-19 restrictions may seem repetitive. If we're not careful, monotony can lead to depression and all its unpleasant knock-on effects. But according to HuffPost, psychologists say there are ways to deal with boredom. First, plan fun things you can do, even if you're in lockdown, like reading books or painting a wall. Second, write down something you noticed that's blessedly different, like a growing flower, or melting snow. Finally, if you are grieving, acknowledge it. Reach out for the support you need, and don't give up.
World leaders met on Saturday to discuss preparation efforts to contain and alleviate the coronavirus pandemic in the next few months. Leaders from Germany, France, South Korea, and Argentina were scheduled to participate in the side event to the annual G20 gathering. According to Business Insider, the US has more than 11.9 million cases and 255,000 deaths from the highly contagious novel coronavirus. And despite making up the largest share of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths in the world, noticeably absent was President Donald Trump. He went golfing, instead.
Data suggests that for every person who dies of COVID-19, they leave behind nine family members. According to HuffPost, that means nearly 2 million people in the US theoretically have experienced the death of a close relative due to the disease. It's easy to be triggered by the news, especially when COVID-19-positive President Donald Trump turns it into a campaign photo op. If you're feeling overwhelmed with grief and frustration, mental health experts encourage taking action. Grieve openly. Reach out to friends and family, and turn off the TV. Know that what you're feeling is natural and normal, and be kind to yourself. If it helps, look for virtual support groups with people going through the same thing or reach out to a mental health professional.
Boris Johnson leaves a public inquiry into his handling of the Covid-19 pandemic after attending the first of two gruelling days in the witness box. The former British prime minister apologised for "the pain and the loss and the suffering" caused by the pandemic but defended his government. Johnson has faced a barrage of criticism from former aides for alleged indecisiveness and a lack of scientific understanding during the crisis. IMAGES
Fresh waves of Covid-19 cases show that the pandemic is "nowhere near over", the World Health Organization's chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus warns, adding: "As the virus pushes at us, we must push back." SOUNDBITE