Norovirus cases have been surging in recent weeks. PA
Norovirus cases have been surging in recent weeks. PA
Norovirus cases have been surging in recent weeks. PA
Norovirus cases have been surging in recent weeks. PA

Norovirus cases ‘highest in more than decade’ at this time of year


Soraya Ebrahimi
  • English
  • Arabic

Cases of norovirus across the country are “the highest we have seen at this time of year in over a decade”, a doctor at the UK Health Security Agency has warned.

Levels of the highly infectious stomach bug have been surging in recent weeks, with hundreds of hospital beds filled by people with symptoms, figures show.

Norovirus cases are more than double the five-season average before the coronavirus pandemic, the UKHSA said.

Reporting has increased across all age groups, most notably in those aged 65 and over.

While most of the outbreaks caused by norovirus continue to be reported in care homes, cases in hospitals are also increasing but remain below the five-season average.

Outbreaks reported in care home settings increased from 47 in the week starting on February 6 to 54 in the week beginning February 13, representing the highest number reported in a week so far this season.

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Dr Lesley Larkin, surveillance lead of gastrointestinal infections and food safety at UKHSA, said the increase represents “the highest [levels] we have seen at this time of year” in more than 10 years.

The National Health Service says symptoms of norovirus — also known as the “winter vomiting bug” — include diarrhoea and feeling or being sick.

Those infected may also experience a high temperature, headaches and aching arms and legs.

Norovirus is highly infectious and easily spread through contact with someone with the infection or contaminated surfaces.

Most people will make a full recovery within two to three days, but the agency urges those with the illness to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration, especially the very young, elderly or those with weakened immune systems.

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“Please stay at home if you are experiencing norovirus symptoms and don’t return to work [particularly if you work with vulnerable people or food], or send sick children to school or nursery until 48 hours after symptoms have cleared," Dr Larkin said.

“If you have a loved one in a care home or hospital, please avoid visiting until 48 hours after symptoms have cleared.

“Regular hand washing is really important to help stop the spread of this bug, but remember, alcohol gels do not kill off norovirus so washing with soap and warm water is best.”

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Profile of Tarabut Gateway

Founder: Abdulla Almoayed

Based: UAE

Founded: 2017

Number of employees: 35

Sector: FinTech

Raised: $13 million

Backers: Berlin-based venture capital company Target Global, Kingsway, CE Ventures, Entrée Capital, Zamil Investment Group, Global Ventures, Almoayed Technologies and Mad’a Investment.

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Transmission: 8-speed auto

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Pension funds in growing economies in Asia, Latin America and the Middle East have a sharply higher percentage of assets parked in stocks, just at a time when trade tensions threaten to derail markets.

Retirement money managers in 14 geographies now allocate 40 per cent of their assets to equities, an 8 percentage-point climb over the past five years, according to a Mercer survey released last week that canvassed government, corporate and mandatory pension funds with almost $5 trillion in assets under management. That compares with about 25 per cent for pension funds in Europe.

The escalating trade spat between the US and China has heightened fears that stocks are ripe for a downturn. With tensions mounting and outcomes driven more by politics than economics, the S&P 500 Index will be on course for a “full-scale bear market” without Federal Reserve interest-rate cuts, Citigroup’s global macro strategy team said earlier this week.

The increased allocation to equities by growth-market pension funds has come at the expense of fixed-income investments, which declined 11 percentage points over the five years, according to the survey.

Hong Kong funds have the highest exposure to equities at 66 per cent, although that’s been relatively stable over the period. Japan’s equity allocation jumped 13 percentage points while South Korea’s increased 8 percentage points.

The money managers are also directing a higher portion of their funds to assets outside of their home countries. On average, foreign stocks now account for 49 per cent of respondents’ equity investments, 4 percentage points higher than five years ago, while foreign fixed-income exposure climbed 7 percentage points to 23 per cent. Funds in Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Taiwan are among those seeking greater diversification in stocks and fixed income.

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Medicus AI

Started: 2016

Founder(s): Dr Baher Al Hakim, Dr Nadine Nehme and Makram Saleh

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Sector: Health Tech

Staff: 119

Funding: €7.7 million (Dh31m)

 

UK's plans to cut net migration

Under the UK government’s proposals, migrants will have to spend 10 years in the UK before being able to apply for citizenship.

Skilled worker visas will require a university degree, and there will be tighter restrictions on recruitment for jobs with skills shortages.

But what are described as "high-contributing" individuals such as doctors and nurses could be fast-tracked through the system.

Language requirements will be increased for all immigration routes to ensure a higher level of English.

Rules will also be laid out for adult dependants, meaning they will have to demonstrate a basic understanding of the language.

The plans also call for stricter tests for colleges and universities offering places to foreign students and a reduction in the time graduates can remain in the UK after their studies from two years to 18 months.

Liverpool 4-1 Shrewsbury

Liverpool
Gordon (34'), Fabinho (44' pen, 90' 3), Firmino (78')

Shrewsbury
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Man of the Match: Kaide Gordon (Liverpool)

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Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
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England 2
Cahill (3'), Kane (39')

Nigeria 1
Iwobi (47')

MATCH INFO

Manchester United 1 (Fernandes pen 2') Tottenham Hotspur 6 (Ndombele 4', Son 7' & 37' Kane (30' & pen 79, Aurier 51')

Man of the match Son Heung-min (Tottenham)

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Changing visa rules

For decades the UAE has granted two and three year visas to foreign workers, tied to their current employer. Now that's changing.

Last year, the UAE cabinet also approved providing 10-year visas to foreigners with investments in the UAE of at least Dh10 million, if non-real estate assets account for at least 60 per cent of the total. Investors can bring their spouses and children into the country.

It also approved five-year residency to owners of UAE real estate worth at least 5 million dirhams.

The government also said that leading academics, medical doctors, scientists, engineers and star students would be eligible for similar long-term visas, without the need for financial investments in the country.

The first batch - 20 finalists for the Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Scientific Distinction.- were awarded in January and more are expected to follow.

Updated: March 02, 2023, 10:42 PM`