South Carolina health officials confirmed they had found the US's first two people to be infected with the variant of Covid-19 first identified in South Africa.
“The arrival of the variant in our state is an important reminder to all South Carolinians that the fight against this deadly virus is far from over,” said Dr Brannon Traxler, interim director at the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.
There are fears that the variant may be more transmissible and deadlier.
Scientists are looking into the possibility that it may reinfect people who have recovered from Covid-19.
The people in South Carolina infected with the new B.1.351 variant did not travel recently and the two cases were not related, suggesting community spread.
It is expected that this variant, with others, has been spreading undetected in the US, because the country lacks surveillance programmes.
The cases in South Carolina also confirm that all three "variants of concern", so labelled by the World Health Organisation, are now spreading in the US.
Cases of the UK and Brazil variants have been found in other US states.
This week, the state of Minnesota said a case of the Brazilian variant had been detected in a patient who had returned from travelling in the country.
The UK variant was first found in Colorado in December last year.
The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention is aware of the South Carolina cases and advised people to continue taking precautions wherever possible.
“At this time, we have no evidence that infections by this variant cause more severe disease,” the agency said.
“Like the UK and Brazilian variants, preliminary data suggests this variant may spread more easily and quickly than other variants.”
The state of California is also looking into confirming the existence of another variant, L452R.
It is normal for viruses to mutate and create new strains but these "variants of concern" alarmed scientists because they could be more easily transmitted.
Research is being done to see if they are deadlier than the original strain or if they pose challenges to Covid-19 vaccines.
This month, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson revealed evidence that the UK variant may be at least 30 per cent deadlier than the original virus.
“While more Covid-19 vaccines are on the way, supplies are still limited," Dr Traxler said.
"Every one of us must recommit to the fight by recognising that we are all on the front lines now. We are all in this together.”
At least 25 million people have been infected with the virus in the US, data compiled by Johns Hopkins University shows.
More than 430,000 people in the US died from Covid-19 and that number is expected to pass half a million in mid-February.
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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What can you do?
Document everything immediately; including dates, times, locations and witnesses
Seek professional advice from a legal expert
You can report an incident to HR or an immediate supervisor
You can use the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation’s dedicated hotline
In criminal cases, you can contact the police for additional support
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
Rashmee Roshan Lall: Sound of silence in South Asia
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How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
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- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
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Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
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When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.
Dubai World Cup Carnival Card:
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Monday, Oct 6 – Second T20I
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The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
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Uefa Champions League quarter-final (first-leg score):
Juventus (1) v Ajax (1), Tuesday, 11pm UAE
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
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KILLING OF QASSEM SULEIMANI
National Editorial: Suleimani has been killed, now we must de-escalate
Mina Al Oraibi: Air strike casts a long shadow over the decade ahead
Jack Moore: Why the assassination is such a monumental gamble
Matthew Levitt: Iran retains its ability to launch terror attacks
Damien McElroy: A CEO tasked with spreading Iran's influence
Hussein Ibish: Trump's order on solid constitutional ground
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Dr Nawal Al-Hosany: Why more women should be on the frontlines of climate action
Samar Elmnhrawy: How companies in the Middle East can catch up on gender equality
The National Editorial: Is there much to celebrate on International Women's Day 2021?
Justin Thomas: Challenge the notion that 'men are from Mars, women are from Venus'
A timeline of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language
- 2018: Formal work begins
- November 2021: First 17 volumes launched
- November 2022: Additional 19 volumes released
- October 2023: Another 31 volumes released
- November 2024: All 127 volumes completed
World Mental Health Day
West Asia Premiership
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Dubai Tigers 5-39 Bahrain
Jebel Ali Dragons 16-56 Abu Dhabi Harlequins
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MATCH INFO
Chelsea 0
Liverpool 2 (Mane 50', 54')
Red card: Andreas Christensen (Chelsea)
Man of the match: Sadio Mane (Liverpool)
The%20Mother%20
ENGLAND SQUAD
Goalkeepers Henderson, Johnstone, Pickford, Ramsdale
Defenders Alexander-Arnold, Chilwell, Coady, Godfrey, James, Maguire, Mings, Shaw, Stones, Trippier, Walker, White
Midfielders Bellingham, Henderson, Lingard, Mount, Phillips, Rice, Ward-Prowse
Forwards Calvert-Lewin, Foden, Grealish, Greenwood, Kane, Rashford, Saka, Sancho, Sterling, Watkins
RESULT
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Uruguay: Suárez (10'), Cheryshev (23' og), Cavani (90')
Russia: Smolnikov (Red card: 36')
Man of the match: Diego Godin (Uruguay)
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