Winter Warnings & Variant Outbreaks
Your curated source of news, covering topics around biotech, PCRs, lateral flow and rapid antigen testing, COVID-19, and more.
Each month, the team at Biolink will bring you the best health articles, news and content we find and enjoy from around the web to keep you in the loop.
News
Free RAT Tests To End In July
The Guardian and News.com.au report that the Prime Minister is asking concession card holders to stock up on RAT tests. The tests are available for concession card holders for free at the moment, but the scheme is set to end on July 31st.
Read the article to determine whether you’re eligible to claim free RATs.
A Winter Covid Wave is Coming
The Age reports that an expected winter wave of COVID-19 is on its way, which will impact our nation's already under-pressure health system.
Summary
The BA.4 and BA.5 variants are contributing to a renewed wave of COVID infections and hospitalisations. This may impact the health system in the coming months, limiting the resources and beds for non-COVID related medical issues.
The ‘Centaurus’ Variant and other COVID Variants
The Guardian is warning about the impact of another COVID variant: BA.2.57 - also known as ‘Centaurus’. The first reports that virologists in the UK are worried the new variant is more transmissible than the previous version of BA.5 which was extremely transmissible itself.
Social
We thank everyone who got vaccinated and tested yesterday.
— VicGovDH (@VicGovDH) July 12, 2022
Our thoughts are with those in hospital, and the families of people who have lost their lives.
More data soon: https://t.co/OCCFTAcOZP#COVID19Vic #COVID19VicData pic.twitter.com/Tao1IuFOKf
More On The Topic
- Science Daily reports that Co-infection with influenza A could suppress replication in SARS-CoV-2.
- Stat also suggests that a surging number of BA.5 infections mean that Americans should consider a booster as soon as possible.