The symptoms of the Indian Variant
May 18, 2021, 6:39 am

People register to be vaccinated against Covid-19 at the vaccination site in Arena Nord in Frederikshavn, Jutland, Denmark, on April 12, 2021, amid the novel coronavirus / COVID-19 pandemic. (File photo: AFP)

Tim Wyatt

The continued spread of a new variant of the coronavirus that has appeared in India has upset the celebrations as most of the UK takes another step out of the lockdown on Monday.

Known to scientists as B.617.2, the Indian variant is responsible for clusters of cases in places like Bolton which has seen a serious spike in infections and hospitalisations.

Although experts are still studying how it differs from the strains of Covid already prevalent in the UK, it is believed to be significantly more transmissible than B.7, the form of coronavirus that is mainly already spread across the country.

According to Public Health England, cases of the Indian variant have more than doubled from 520 to 1,313 in only a week.

The number of people currently infected with B.617.2 will be even higher as this data from May 5th and not all infected have been tested.

Although the Indian variant of Covid is likely to spread faster than other strains, there is no evidence that it is more dangerous or that vaccines are not effective against it.

Similarly, the key symptoms associated with B.617.2 infection are the same as normal COVID-19:

A new, persistent cough

A high temperature

The loss of taste or smell

The spread of the Indian variant has not been seen as a sufficient threat to postpone the next step out of the May 17th lockdown, but there is growing speculation that the final stage currently slated for June 21st may need to be postponed.

While the vast majority of those vaccinated are protected from the fastest-spreading strain of coronavirus, if enough people refuse to take the injection when offered the most transmissble variant could still wreak havoc and feae.

Source: The independent

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.