The research team identified six main SARS-CoV-2 variants, using genome sequences from the Global Initiative on Sharing Avian Influenza Data (GISAID), a global science initiative and primary source that provides open-access to genomic data on influenza viruses and the coronavirus responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic.

It found that the Type 6 variant has become dominant globally since April 2020, accounting for over 95 percent of data collected after mid-May 2020, according to the research team’s study, published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) on Nov. 12.

The mutation in the U.K. indicates such change cannot be easily stopped, Academia Sinica said, making observations of mutations particularly important.

The global real-time monitoring network to track SARS-CoV-2 variations is intended to facilitate the discovery of emerging variants, and to promote the scientific assessment of vaccine efficiency and the ongoing spread of the virus, the institution said.

The network can be found at https://sarscov2.sinica.edu.tw/tracking.html on the Academia Sinica website.

Source: Academia Sinica launches network to track SARS-CoV-2 variants – Focus Taiwan

A Chennai resident who returned from the United Kingdom has tested postive for the highly contagious new coronavirus strain that has forced the UK into a second lockdown.

Speaking to the press after inspection at Government Kilpauk Medical College Hospital, Health Secretary J Radhakrishnan said, “One Chennai person has been tested positive for the new variant. He is being treated in a separate wing at the King Institute hospital.”

The Health Secretary said results of other passengers are awaited. According to the health secretary four more passengers who returned from the UK tested positive for Covid-19.

So far a total 17 UK passengers in Tamil Nadu have tested positive.

Source: Chennai man tests positive for new strain of coronavirus- The New Indian Express

It is important to understand that the health areas will gradually receive the vaccines and will be communicating to their assigned population at the moment that they will start the vaccination process.

Costa Rica has  purchased a total of six million doses to immunize three million inhabitants over 18 years of age. Of these, 3 million were ordered from Pfizer/Biontech, 1 million doses from AstraZeneca / University of Oxford and 2 million doses through the COVAX initiative.

Source: Caja asks the population to wait for the call to get vaccinated against Covid-19 | Q COSTA RICA

• It will be several months before the general public has access to a COVID-19 vaccine. Erie County is actively planning for vaccine distribution. Please stay updated by watching press conferences and announcements from New York State and Erie County. We will provide complete and accurate information about vaccine distribution in Erie County as that information is available.

Source: COVID-19 Vaccine Information | Erie County, NY Department of Health

Source: Faces of Covid: Tulsa Health Department executive dies after contracting COVID-19, agency says | Local News | tulsaworld.com

Covid-19 positive – 21201 Covid-19 deaths – 3156 Source: Long-Term Care Facility COVID-19 Report | Georgia Department of Community Health

WEBSTER, N.Y. — ​There will be a new nursing home option that will serve COVID-19 patients only, after another executive order signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo.

Rochester Regional Health is opening Empire Manor, a new temporary facility at its Hill Haven campus to serve as a COVID-19 dedicated nursing home.

This facility will accept nursing home residents who’ve been hospitalized with COVID-19 and are no longer symptomatic, but aren’t able to return to their nursing home until they’re fully recovered.

The goal is to free up hospital beds while continuing to help the most vulnerable patients.

Source: RRH Opens New Temporary COVID-19 Facility in Webster

“The sooner we get those who work in health care settings vaccinated, the sooner we can move through our other phases and get the rest of our community access to this safe and effective vaccine.”

So far, nearly 21,000 people in Maryland and over 41,000 people in Virginia have received the coronavirus vaccine.

Source: DC health care workers can now schedule COVID-19 vaccinations | WTOP

At least 10 people were camping out in Lehigh Acres Monday night in hopes to be first in line for round two of coronavirus vaccines at East County Regional Library Tuesday.

The lines became so long in Estero Monday, the health department had to turn people away.

The first couple we spoke to in the Lehigh Acres line told us they arrived at the site at 1:30 p.m. They said they haven’t seen their kids in almost a year

The next person in line, Frank Conway, told us he was celebrating his 78th birthday, and a vaccine would be the best gift yet.

When our crew was at the site in Estero, a sign read “no more vaccines.”

“We couldn’t get anywhere near this place,” said John Stone, who has not yet been vaccinated. “There must have been a thousand cars here.”

Source: People camp out to get COVID-19 vaccine in Lehigh Acres

Source: El Paso family learns loved one dies from COVID-19 while planning funeral for mother who also died from the virus