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Scotsman
4 days ago
- Health
- Scotsman
What is the new Covid variant NB.1.8.1?
This article contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission on items purchased through this article, but that does not affect our editorial judgement. The new strain is responsible for a spike in infections and hospitalisations in China 🤧 Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A new Covid variant is 'under monitoring' by the World Health Organisation. NB.1.8.1 was first detected in January 2025 and originates from the Omicron variant. Covid variant NB.1.8.1 has been detected in 22 countries, leading to a spike in cases and increase of hospitalisations. A new Covid variant has been causing a spike in infections and hospitalisations in China. NB.1.8.1, is causing concern after it has been identified in 22 countries with the World Health Organisation (WHO) confirming it is a ' variant under monitoring'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Since the Covid pandemic began in 2020, there have been many different types of variants and subvariants, NB.1.8.1 is the latest on the scene after the emergence of LP.8.1., which now the most dominant variant in the UK. Covid infections have been on the rise since the Easter bank holiday and May warm weather as more people mix together in the sunshine. NHS England reported 1,120 cases up to May 14, up by 12% on the previous week. The percentage of people testing positive for Covid was at 5.5% up to May 16, more than double the 2.32% recorded on January 1 this year. There were 73 deaths associated with Covid up to May 9, as positive tests continued to rise across the country. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad So, what is the new Covid strain NB.1.8.1 and how does it compare to previous strains? Here's everything you need to know. A new Covid strain is currently "under monitoring" by the World Health Organisation. | ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images What is the new Covid strain NB.1.8.1? First detected on January 22, 2025, NB.1.8.1 originates from the omicron variant which saw cases spike in 2023. Despite an increase in cases and hospitalisations in some countries where NB.1.8.1 is widespread, the WHO have revealed that current data does not indicate that it leads to more severe illness than current variants. WHO have designated it as a 'variant under monitoring', but the overall risk to public health has been posed to be 'low', with current Covid vaccines expected to be effective in protecting vulnerable patients from severe illness. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad What are the symptoms of Covid? There have been many different variants of Covid since the start of the pandemic as the virus continues to evolve, however despite this, symptoms have remained the same. The NHS explain that symptoms of Covid can include: a high temperature or shivering a new, continuous cough a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste shortness of breath fatigue body aches a headache a sore throat a blocked or runny nose loss of appetite diarrhoea feeling sick or being sick 🧪 Boots COVID-19 Test Kits While free testing is no longer widely available, Boots continues to offer a range of COVID-19 lateral flow kits for home use, with results in under 30 minutes. They're available individually or in multipacks, with options for general use, travel, or workplace settings. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Who can get a Covid vaccine? The Covid spring booster programme is currently underway, with jabs being rolled out across the UK until June 17. To be eligible you must: be aged 75 or over (including those who will be 75 by June 17, 2025) be aged six months to 74 years and have a weakened immune system because of a health condition or treatment live in a care home for older adults The booster provides protection against different Covid variants and helps reduce the risk of catching or spreading Covid for those who are at risk of becoming very unwell. Ifti Khan, superintendent pharmacist at Well Pharmacy, urged those eligible to book as soon as possible and get the booster while it is still available. He said: 'Covid will most likely rise coming into the end of spring and into summer as people mix with friends and family more often. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We know from previous boosters that they are effective in making sure that patients' symptoms are not as severe as they might have been without so I would urge patients to pop into their local Well Pharmacy store and get their jab. 'Patients have just over two weeks as the spring booster programme ends on June 17 so it would be my hope that those who can get a jab, opt to do so before enjoying socialising during summer.' If you have a health story to share with us, we'd love to hear from you. You can now send your stories to us online via YourWorld at It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
📸 PSG crowned kings of Europe: a night to remember in pictures 🏆🤩
📸 PSG crowned kings of Europe: a night to remember in pictures 🏆🤩 After so many years, of struggle and fight... This Saturday, May 31 marks a turning point in the history of French football. 32 years after the crowning of its historical rival, PSG becomes the second club in the hexagon to lift the big-eared cup. Advertisement Let's look back at this match that will forever remain in the annals. 📸 FRANCK FIFE - AFP or licensors 📸 ODD ANDERSEN - AFP or licensors 📸 MARCO BERTORELLO - AFP or licensors 📸 Justin Setterfield - 2025 Getty Images 📸 Lars Baron - 2025 Getty Images 📸 Dan Mullan - 2025 Getty Images 📸 ODD ANDERSEN - AFP or licensors 📸 Carl Recine - 2025 Getty Images 📸 Justin Setterfield - 2025 Getty Images 📸 Dan Mullan - 2025 Getty Images 📸 Dan Mullan - 2025 Getty Images 📸 Carl Recine - 2025 Getty Images This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇫🇷 here. 📸 Carl Recine - 2025 Getty Images
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why Man Utd will not hold a parade if they win Europa League
If Manchester United win the Europa League on May 21 against Tottenham, don't expect an open-top bus parade to celebrate. Both clubs have had rough seasons—United are 16th in the Premier League, while Spurs are 17th—and they've got league games and international duties right after the final. As a result, The Times report that United do not think it is appropriate to hold a major party. Instead, United will throw a relaxed barbecue for players and staff the day after the game if they win. Spurs, though, are expected to go all out with a parade if they bag their first European trophy since 1984 and their first piece of silverware of any description since 2008. For context: United didn't hold a parade after winning the Europa League in 2017 either, a season that also saw them win the EFL Cup. 📸 ODD ANDERSEN
Newsweek
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Newsweek
If Nations Won't Fight Global Warming, Cities Can and Will
Creating a safe and livable future for humanity would appear to be an obvious goal for all. Yet, in 2025, the climate movement has never faced a more hostile and coordinated opposition. Within the new U.S administration—and a growing number of political parties across the world—we now have climate deniers openly working to dismantle years of painstaking climate diplomacy and action. This creates huge risks for us all. We are already seeing the stark consequences of the failure of nation states to do enough. Wildfires, hurricanes, rising sea levels and extreme heat are all becoming more frequent and severe. Carbon dioxide levels in our atmosphere are now over 420 parts per million—20 percent higher than when the UN climate negotiations began nearly three decades ago. This aerial view shows icebergs floating in the waters beaten down by the sun with buildings in the background off Nuuk, Greenland, on March 11. This aerial view shows icebergs floating in the waters beaten down by the sun with buildings in the background off Nuuk, Greenland, on March 11. ODD ANDERSEN/AFP via Getty Images But as we mark the 55th anniversary of Earth Day, under the banner of "Our Power, Our Planet," we can draw hope from the difference that cities, communities and individuals can still make to tackle the climate crisis. Cities are proving that a greener and healthier way of life is not only possible, but already delivering tangible benefits—from well-paid green jobs to less polluted neighborhoods. The first Earth Day in 1970 sparked a movement in the United States that led to the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency. Today, the U.S. may be run by those who seem willing to squander the economic opportunities of the green economy, but cities around the world are already seizing them. From London to Los Angeles, and São Paulo to Seoul, cities are powering a formidable climate movement that is having a real impact. London has put in place the world's largest clean air zone, helping to bring down emissions and dramatically clean up its air. The city has also brought forward its net zero target to 2030, which is helping to accelerate green investment, boost business and grow the low-carbon economy. London knows it would be foolish to miss out on the economic opportunity of the 21st century, and many other cities are not only watching and learning, but emulating this example, with new and exciting climate initiatives of their own. In New York City, Local Law 97 mandates that large buildings cut their carbon footprint. The energy costs of Rio de Janeiro's municipal buildings will soon be halved by switching to renewables. Amsterdam is on target to phase out natural gas by 2040 while insulating the homes of the city's most vulnerable residents. Copenhagen is on track to become the first carbon-neutral city by the end of this year, thanks to investments in wind energy and district heating. Across Africa, cities like Nairobi and Freetown are planting millions of trees to cool streets and combat extreme weather. More than half of the world's population (56 percent of people) now live in cities, and urban areas generate about 80 percent of global GDP. Throughout history, cities have been hubs of progress on the forefront of innovation. As national governments step back from their climate obligations, cities are now becoming ever-bigger players in the transition to a greener, more environmentally responsible era. They are stepping up and generating not just clean power, but the momentum that's urgently needed to realize a greener and safer future. This will hopefully encourage citizens around the world to not lose faith and to continue to put pressure on their national governments to do more before it's too late. The first Earth Day mobilized 20 million people to demand action. Today, more than a billion participate annually. So, let's use this moment to harness our collective power, push back against the vested interests and continue the fight for a better and brighter future for our planet. Sadiq Khan is the current mayor of London and co-chair of C-40 Cities. Denis Hayes is organizer of the first Earth Day and serves as board chair emeritus of The views expressed in this article are the writers' own.
