Focused on peer support yields positive results | MICHELLE M. SCHWAB | In many regions of Africa, traditional healers have treated all illnesses, physical and mental, for centuries. As the prevalence of mental illness continues to rise in Uganda, western influence impacts how those with a mental illness can access …
Read More »Africa faces fourth wave of COVID-19 due to Omicron variant: WHO
Brazzaville, Congo | Xinhua | Africa is being hit by the fourth wave of the COVID-19 pandemic driven by the Omicron variant, after recording the fastest weekly surge in new cases since May 2020, said an official of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Tuesday. “Africa is now officially in the …
Read More »Omicron variant may change course of COVID-19 pandemic: WHO chief
Geneva, Switzerland | Xinhua | Certain features of the Omicron variant, including its global spread and large number of mutations, suggest it could have a major impact on the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, said the chief of the World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday. With the Omicron variant now present …
Read More »Omicron variant not as severe as feared: Health ministry
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The Ministry of Health has urged Ugandans to remain calm even if the Omicron COVID-19 variant has been detected in the country. This comes following the detection of nine Omicron variant cases among travellers from South Africa and Nigeria. The variant was first detected in …
Read More »WHO advises against convalescent plasma treatment for Covid-19
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | The World Health Organization-WHO has updated its guidelines on COVID-19 therapeutics, excluding use of convalescent plasma for non-severe COVID-19 patients. While the organization gives researchers testing efficacy of plasma in treating severe and critical COVID-19 patients in clinical trials a go ahead, they say in their …
Read More »Vaccines save lives even if there’s a reduction in efficacy: WHO expert
Genea, Switzerland | Xinhua | Despite the current uncertainty over the new Omicron COVID-19 variant, people should still get vaccinated because it will save lives, a World Health Organization (WHO) expert said on Wednesday. Maria Van Kerkhove, technical lead for the WHO’s Health Emergencies Program, said at a WHO press briefing …
Read More »Blanket travel bans will not prevent int’l spread of Omicron variant: WHO
Geneva, Switzerland | Xinhua | The World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Tuesday that blanket travel bans will not prevent the international spread of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, even as dozens of countries have already introduced such restrictions. Although labeling Omicron as a “variant of concern”, the WHO said blanket travel …
Read More »New dangerous COVID-19 variant
Heavily mutated coronavirus variant puts scientists on alert | THE INDEPENDENT | Researchers in South Africa are racing to track the concerning rise of a new variant of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. The variant harbours a large number of mutations found in other variants, including Delta, and it seems …
Read More »WHO warns against border closures as Omicron variant spreads
Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Despite a growing number of countries impose flight bans on southern African nations due to concerns over the new Omicron variant, World Health Organization (WHO) urges countries to follow science and the International Health Regulations. In a statement, the organization warns that travel bans may …
Read More »U.S. scrambles to take actions over Omicron variant’s chilling effect
United States imposed travel restrictions on southern African countries New York, U.S. | Xinhua | The newly-discovered Omicron variant of COVID-19 in South Africa has raised fears about the global trajectory of the pandemic, while some countries including the United States have raced to impose travel restrictions on southern African countries. …
Read More »