Arabella was recently recognised with a gold medal at the first edition of the Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Environmental Awards
uae7 hours ago
The "delta plus" variant is a relative of the delta variant, identified by British scientists last month.
It has not yet been officially named after a letter of the Greek alphabet, like the other worrisome variants.
Scientists are monitoring the delta-related variant — known as AY.4.2. — to see if it might spread more easily or be more deadly than previous versions of the coronavirus. In a recent report, UK officials said this variant makes up 6 per cent of all analyzed Covid-19 cases in the country and is "on an increasing trajectory."
The variant has two mutations in the spike protein, which helps the coronavirus invade the body's cells. These changes have also been seen in other versions of the virus since the pandemic started, but haven't gone very far, Francois Balloux, director of the Genetics Institute at University College London.
The delta variant remains "by far the most dominant variant in terms of global circulation" said Maria Van Kerkhove, the World Health Organization's technical lead on Covid-19, at a public session this week.
"Delta is dominant, but delta is evolving," she said, adding that the more the virus circulates, the greater chances it has to mutate.
The UN health agency is currently tracking 20 variations of the delta variant. The AY.4.2 is "one to watch because we have to continuously keep an eye on how this virus is changing," said Van Kerkhove.
In the US, the delta variant accounts for nearly all Covid-19 cases. The newer "delta plus" variant has been spotted "on occasion," but it's not yet a concern, health officials said.
Arabella was recently recognised with a gold medal at the first edition of the Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Environmental Awards
uae7 hours ago
Post the Covid pandemic, the Emirates has emerged as one of the most popular spots for destination weddings
uae7 hours ago
It bears the name 'Dubai' in Arabic and dates back to the 1960s
uae7 hours ago
The quake occurred at 3.03am local time
uae7 hours ago
Debutant and |Dubai amateur Oscar Craig makes the cut on a tough day dominated by warm winds
sports12 hours ago
In a packed leaderboard the tied second place was decided on a card countback with the Emirates Golf Federation 2 Team prevailing
golf12 hours ago
Chief organiser Tony Estanguet says the goal is to organise a 'spectacular but also more responsible Games which will contribute towards a more inclusive society'
sports13 hours ago
Hag will hopeful Luke Shaw, Anthony Martial and Lisandro Martinez will return before the season's end
sports14 hours ago