Jennifer Juno, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity dan Adam Wheatley, The University of Melbourne
Vaccination is likely to substantially reduce virus transmission by reducing the pool of people who become infected, and reducing virus levels in people who do get infected.
The emergence of an Indian “double mutant” strain of the coronavirus may explain the country’s tragically soaring infection rates. Genomic testing and monitoring will be crucial in the weeks ahead.
As the third wave ravages Ontario, there is public confusion and mistrust. Premier Ford’s flip-flops on restrictions indicate not just poor risk communications, but the lack of an informed plan.
Variants of the original SARS-CoV-2 are now in wide circulation. That means the third wave of COVID-19 has come with new questions about the variants, their effects and what might come next.
Kids want to play sports again, and who can blame them? An exercise scientist and physiologist explains why adhering to safety protocols is imperative.
As the US vaccinates millions more people each day, the novel coronavirus works to survive. It does this by mutating. So far, several variants are worrisome. A virologist explains what they are.
COVID-19 variants of concern have changed the game. We need to recognise and act on this to avoid future waves of infections, yet more lockdowns and restrictions, and avoidable illness and death.
The US lags in testing coronavirus samples from COVID-19 patients, which can help track the spread of the virus and the emergence of new variants. But labs are ramping up this crucial surveillance.
AstraZeneca just announced results from its US-based trial. It found the vaccine to be 79% effective and safe for use, despite recent concerns around reports of blood clots.
Researchers are closely watching the coronavirus mutants to make sure vaccines can be adjusted if necessary. But scientists don’t know whether vaccines will be effective in those already vaccinated.
Dean Faculty of Health Sciences and Professor of Vaccinology at University of the Witwatersrand; and Director of the SAMRC Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Analytics Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand