Bahrain has become one of the first countries to offer the latest Pfizer XBB 1.5 booster shot as a defence against Covid-19 and its new variants.
The World Health Organisation has reported a 52 per cent increase in new Covid cases over the past four weeks, with over 850,000 new cases recorded.
With over 3,000 fatalities, concerns have risen over the emergence of the JN. 1 variant, which accounts for 44.1 per cent of Covid-19 cases globally.
JN. 1 was listed as a separate “variant of interest” this week after it was found in China, India and the US. The first case of JN. 1 was recorded in the US in September.
JN. 1 is descended from the Omicron variant of Sars-CoV-2, although it has more than two dozen mutations.
The Bahrain Health Ministry announced that Pfizer XBB 1.5 vaccines would be available at several healthcare centres.
For those over the age of 12, the Pfizer XBB 1.5 vaccine will be given at Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait Health Centre in Hidd, Jidhafs Health Centre, Sitra Health Centre, Youssef Engineer Health Centre and Mohammed Jassim Kanoo Health Centre between 7.30am and 7pm, the Health Ministry said.
Those aged between 5 and 11 will be able to receive the vaccine from December 27 at the Halat Bu Maher Health Centre, Hamad Kanoo Health Centre and Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmed Al Sabah Health Centre.
Dr Mohammed Al Awadhi, director of public health at the Ministry of Health, said taking new booster vaccinations would enhance the immunity of people, especially groups at high risk of contracting Covid.
Egypt's Ministry of Health and Population issued notices outlining the specific symptoms of the JN. 1 variant, although no cases have been detected in the country.
“We cannot say that major waves of Covid infections are returning, but the new variant is highly contagious and can infect even those who have been vaccinated,” said Dr Hossam Hosny, head of the Scientific Committee for Coronavirus Control at the ministry.
'The worst thing you can eat'
Trans fat is typically found in fried and baked goods, but you may be consuming more than you think.
Powdered coffee creamer, microwave popcorn and virtually anything processed with a crust is likely to contain it, as this guide from Mayo Clinic outlines:
Baked goods - Most cakes, cookies, pie crusts and crackers contain shortening, which is usually made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oil. Ready-made frosting is another source of trans fat.
Snacks - Potato, corn and tortilla chips often contain trans fat. And while popcorn can be a healthy snack, many types of packaged or microwave popcorn use trans fat to help cook or flavour the popcorn.
Fried food - Foods that require deep frying — french fries, doughnuts and fried chicken — can contain trans fat from the oil used in the cooking process.
Refrigerator dough - Products such as canned biscuits and cinnamon rolls often contain trans fat, as do frozen pizza crusts.
Creamer and margarine - Nondairy coffee creamer and stick margarines also may contain partially hydrogenated vegetable oils.
360Vuz PROFILE
Date started: January 2017
Founder: Khaled Zaatarah
Based: Dubai and Los Angeles
Sector: Technology
Size: 21 employees
Funding: $7 million
Investors: Shorooq Partners, KBW Ventures, Vision Ventures, Hala Ventures, 500Startups, Plug and Play, Magnus Olsson, Samih Toukan, Jonathan Labin
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Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
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