Europe – Sector.Africa

The Netherlands to trial rapid and home coronavirus tests

March 3, 2021March 4, 2021 Sector.Africa AdministratorAmsterdam, Articles, Bosch, Delft, Education, Eindhoven, Groningen, Human–computer interaction, Information architecture, Medicine, Netherlands, Nijmegen, Rapid antigen test, Rotterdam, Schiphol Airport, Technical communication, Technology, Usability, Usability testing, Utrecht

With many believing that rapid tests and home tests could be key in allowing the country to come out of lockdown, the Netherlands is launching 10 large-scale pilots to determine the usability of the tests. The Netherlands piloting rapid and home tests Extensive research has already shown that these types of coronavirus tests are effective and reliable, and now 10 short-term trials will be used to determine whether their large-scale use is realistic or practical. Eight of the 10 pilots will take place at educational institutions in Groningen, Delft, Amsterdam,…

Covid19 Europe

Six Nations: French sports minister threatens France withdrawal over Covid-19 outbreak

March 3, 2021 Sector.Africa AdministratorBernard Laporte, European Union, Fabien Galthie, France, French Rugby Federation, Head Coach, l'equipe tv, Rome, Roxana Mărăcineanu, rugby, Rugby football, Rugby union, Scotland, Sports Minister, United Kingdom

France have won both their opening two Six Nations games Sports minister Roxana Maracineanu has threatened to withdraw France’s authorisation to play in the Six Nations if the French Rugby Federation (FFR) does not properly investigate the origin of a Covid-19 outbreak. France’s game against Scotland was postponed after 11 French players, as well as staff, including head coach Fabien Galthie, tested positive for Covid-19 in the last week, prompting Maracineanu to ask for an investigation. FFR president Bernard Laporte said that “to my knowledge, nobody’s at fault”, but Maracineanu…

Covid19 Europe

Turkey aims to go ‘blue’ in color-coded era of COVID-19 outbreak

March 3, 2021 Sector.Africa AdministratorAnkara, Ankara Bureau, BIONTECH, China, Okan, Pfizer, travel restrictions, Turkey, Vaccination, vaccinations

Having grappled with the coronavirus pandemic since March, Turkey may finally return to the old days, provided that cases drop sharply enough. As millions await an end to restrictions that have confined them to their homes and shut down businesses, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has announced a new normalization process set to begin in March. Health Minister Fahrettin Koca, who hinted at the new process one week ago, says an all-out removal of restrictions is out of the question, but all 81 provinces of the country will be assessed for…

Covid19 Europe

New, Possibly More Contagious COVID-19 Strain Discovered in Norway

March 3, 2021 Sector.Africa Administrator501.V2 variant, Animal virology, Branches of biology, Coronavirus, Denmark, Epidemiology, Finland, Health sciences, Iceland, Norway, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, NRK, Oslo, United Kingdom, Vold, Zoonoses

A new coronavirus strain that contains similarities to both the British and South African variants has been discovered in Norway. Within the past 24 hours, about a dozen cases of the new variant named B.1.525 have been recorded in the country, national broadcaster NRK reported. The Norwegian Institute of Public Health previously discovered a number of mutations, and Vold described it as a natural development for the virus to change all the time. According to Vold, it is impossible to say whether it is an imported or domestic infection. The…

Covid19 Europe

Covid-19 continues to spread in France as death toll rises

March 2, 2021 Sector.Africa AdministratorCoronavirus disease, COVID-19 pandemic in Djibouti, COVID-19 pandemic in France, Disease outbreaks, France, Health, HEALTH Minister, In Guinea, Occupational safety and health, Olivier Veran, Public health, United Kingdom

The agency also released an analysis of the progression of Covid-19 in France during the week of February 8. It stated that despite a decline, the main epidemiological indicators nevertheless remained at a very high level “that reflected the intensity of SARS-CoV-2 circulation in the country.” It also stated that analysis of patients’ data indicated transmissible variants, such as the UK variant, are becoming predominant. New saliva tests Meanwhile, starting Monday, 80,000 saliva tests are reportedly to be organised in places in France where schools are resuming. These tests will help…