Doctors in Britain say people have been increasingly reporting symptoms of a so-called 'super-cold' that has reportedly swept the country.
Health officials have urged people to stay at home and take a coronavirus PCR test if they are experiencing flu or Covid-like symptoms, including a cough, runny nose, loss of smell or heightened temperature.
Experts say the circulating virus is unlikely to be a new stronger strain of the cold, but is instead likely related to weakened immune systems following the coronavirus lockdown.
Immunity to the viruses could have waned during the 18 months of restrictions, so it will be “less effective against colds than would be expected normally”, according to Prof Neil Mabbott, an immunologist at the University of Edinburgh.
“This highlights the power of the lockdown, mask wearing, social distancing and sanitation measures introduced in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Not only was this very effective in reducing transmission of the coronavirus within the community, but at the same time it had the additional benefit of reducing the spread of colds and other common transmissible diseases.
“As these measures are eased and people start mixing more indoors and travelling on public transport et cetera, we can expect to see a significant rise in colds and other respiratory diseases.
“It is unlikely we are seeing the circulation of a ‘super cold’, rather our immune systems have had limited exposure to colds over the past 18 months, so our immunity to these diseases will have waned during this period and will be less effective against colds than would be expected normally.
This highlights the power of the lockdown, mask wearing, social distancing and sanitation measures introduced in response to the Covid-19 pandemic
Prof Neil Mabbott
“Some of the symptoms between colds and Covid-19 can be very similar during the early stages, but of course if people develop a fever, a cough or any of the other Covid-19 symptoms such as loss of taste or smell it is important that they isolate and have a Covid-19 test.
“For most people with a cold, plenty of fluids and paracetamol should help ease the symptoms. Unlike Covid-19, a cold is usually relatively harmless for most people.
“So self-isolating with a cold shouldn’t be necessary but increased hygiene will help to limit spread.”
Alex Richter, professor of clinical immunology at the University of Birmingham, said: “It is impossible to tell the difference between a cold and Covid-19 clinically.
“They present so similarly that only PCR testing can differentiate between the two. Lateral flow testing can help with screening but if someone has symptoms then they should go for a PCR swab test.”
UK launches largest-ever flu vaccine campaign
It comes as the National Health Service continues to push ahead with its biggest-ever flu campaign amid fears that if the viral infection is left unchecked this winter then thousands of lives could be lost.
More than 35 million people in England are eligible for a free vaccination.
The NHS in England said that about 1.25 million texts and 300,000 emails have already been sent to parents of 2 and 3-year-old children urging them to book an appointment for their children to get the flu nasal spray.
And a further 1.3 million letters have been sent out outlining how parents can book the vaccine.
Dr Nikki Kanani, medical director of primary care at NHS England, said: “Every year, we vaccinate more and more staff and patients against flu, but this year it is more vital than ever that all children and eligible adults take up the offer of the free vaccine, as we head into one of the most challenging winters yet for the NHS.”
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
ELIO
Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett
Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina
Rating: 4/5
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Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key changes
Commission caps
For life insurance products with a savings component, Peter Hodgins of Clyde & Co said different caps apply to the saving and protection elements:
• For the saving component, a cap of 4.5 per cent of the annualised premium per year (which may not exceed 90 per cent of the annualised premium over the policy term).
• On the protection component, there is a cap of 10 per cent of the annualised premium per year (which may not exceed 160 per cent of the annualised premium over the policy term).
• Indemnity commission, the amount of commission that can be advanced to a product salesperson, can be 50 per cent of the annualised premium for the first year or 50 per cent of the total commissions on the policy calculated.
• The remaining commission after deduction of the indemnity commission is paid equally over the premium payment term.
• For pure protection products, which only offer a life insurance component, the maximum commission will be 10 per cent of the annualised premium multiplied by the length of the policy in years.
Disclosure
Customers must now be provided with a full illustration of the product they are buying to ensure they understand the potential returns on savings products as well as the effects of any charges. There is also a “free-look” period of 30 days, where insurers must provide a full refund if the buyer wishes to cancel the policy.
“The illustration should provide for at least two scenarios to illustrate the performance of the product,” said Mr Hodgins. “All illustrations are required to be signed by the customer.”
Another illustration must outline surrender charges to ensure they understand the costs of exiting a fixed-term product early.
Illustrations must also be kept updatedand insurers must provide information on the top five investment funds available annually, including at least five years' performance data.
“This may be segregated based on the risk appetite of the customer (in which case, the top five funds for each segment must be provided),” said Mr Hodgins.
Product providers must also disclose the ratio of protection benefit to savings benefits. If a protection benefit ratio is less than 10 per cent "the product must carry a warning stating that it has limited or no protection benefit" Mr Hodgins added.
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
EU Russia
The EU imports 90 per cent of the natural gas used to generate electricity, heat homes and supply industry, with Russia supplying almost 40 per cent of EU gas and a quarter of its oil.
