The 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 novel virus, originated in Wuhan, China before rapidly spreading around the world.
COVID-19 is a highly infectious respiratory disease, with a high rate of transmissibility. Symptoms of infection include fever, joint and muscle aches, respiratory distress, loss of the sense of taste, cognitive fog, fatigue, sore throat, and more. Senior citizens are most at risk of dying from the disease, though secondary pre-existing conditions like obesity can make some patients more susceptible to danger. In severe cases, patients undergo respiratory distress and require intubation on ventilators.
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, governments have initiated several policies to prevent spread. Many countries have severely restricted flights or entry into their state, with some like Israel adopting color systems to rank the risk posed by each destination. Contact tracing has become the norm, with citizens being obligated to quarantine after they have come into contact with an infected person. Social distancing and mask mandates have also become popular in many countries to prevent spread of infection. Early in the pandemic, lockdowns were used to prevent interaction between the public, in a severe attempt to halt transmission. Perhaps most controversial were the introduction of coronavirus passports, which would allow vaccinated citizens to move freely with a new form of ID. Critics assert that coronavirus passports represent an extreme violation of liberties.
There is an ongoing debate as to the origin of the coronavirus. Initially, it was accepted that the coronavirus originated in a wet market in Wuhan, China, within bats sold as food. However, it has been suggested that the virus may have originated from a virus research lab in Wuhan.
Several pharmaceutical companies have developed innovative mRNA vaccines to counter the coronavirus. Pfizer, Biontech, Astrazeneca, Moderna, Sinopharm and others have produced vaccines, however there is ongoing debate about their efficacy against new strains of the virus. Other pharmaceutical companies have developed treatments and drugs to alleviate and combat coronavirus symptoms.
The coronavirus is prone to mutations, and has already produced several well known variants, including the Delta and Lambda strains. The pandemic and virus may also colloquially be known as corona and COVID.
Researchers say the findings can help doctors council pregnant women on which trimester is best to receive a COVID vaccine.
The amount of the grant will change depending on the turnover of the business in a base year.
The Jewish response to the coronavirus pandemic was largely traditional: fasting and repentance, prayer and Psalms, especially Psalm 91 (Yoshev B’Seter).
The Pandemic Response Committee recommended that children in Israel between the ages of 6 months and five years may soon be eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.
The study found that nanobodies derived from a llama could be used to develop an inhalable spray to combat COVID-19 and other viral diseases.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen exchanged texts with Pfizer chief Albert Bourla for a month when they were negotiating a massive vaccine contract.
Despite the rising number of infections, a declining R-rate may indicate a decrease in the near future.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in March 2020, Israel has recorded 10,926 coronavirus-related deaths, 16 of which occurred in the last seven days.
One in five lives lost in low-income countries due to COVID could have been prevented with proper vaccine access.
Adolescents have faced a myriad of challenges over the last two years. Now that the pandemic appears to be slowing down, it's time to address the mental health fallout.
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