XFG could become the next dominant COVID variant. Here's what to know about 'Stratus'
This new subvariant is known as XFG (nicknamed "Stratus") and the World Health Organization (WHO) designated it a "variant under monitoring" in late June. XFG is a subvariant of Omicron, of which there are now more than 1,000.
A "variant under monitoring" signifies a variant or subvariant which needs prioritised attention and monitoring due to characteristics that may pose an additional threat compared to other circulating variants.
XFG was one of seven variants under monitoring as of June 25. The most recent addition before XFG was NB.1.8.1 (nicknamed "Nimbus"), which the WHO declared a variant under monitoring on May 23.
Both nimbus and stratus are types of clouds.
Nimbus is currently the dominant subvariant worldwide - but Stratus is edging closer. So what do you need to know about Stratus, or XFG?
XFG is a recombinant of LF.7 and LP.8.1.2 which means these two subvariants have shared genetic material to come up with the new subvariant. Recombinants are designated with an X at the start of their name.
While recombination and other spontaneous changes happen often with SARS-CoV-2, it becomes a problem when it creates a subvariant that is changed in such a way that its properties cause more problems for us.
Most commonly this means the virus looks different enough that protection from past infection (and vaccination) doesn't work so well, called immune evasion. This basically means the population becomes more susceptible and can lead to an increase in cases, and even a whole new wave of COVID infections across the world.
XFG has four key mutations in the spike protein, a protein on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 which allows it to attach to our cells. Some are believed to enhance evasion by certain antibodies.
Early laboratory studies have suggested a nearly two-fold reduction in how well antibodies block the virus compared to LP.8.1.1.
The earliest XFG sample was collected on January 27.
As of June 22, there were 1,648 XFG sequences submitted to GISAID from 38 countries (GISAID is the global database used to track the prevalence of different variants around the world). This represents 22.7% of the globally available sequences at the time.
This was a significant rise from 7.4% four weeks prior and only just below the proportion of NB.1.8.1 at 24.9%. Given the now declining proportion of viral sequences of NB.1.8.1 overall, and the rapid rise of XFG, it would seem reasonable to expect XFG to become dominant very soon.
According to Australian data expert Mike Honey, the countries showing the highest rates of detection of XFG as of mid-June include India at more than 50%, followed by Spain at 42%, and the United Kingdom and United States, where the subvariant makes up more than 30% of cases.
In Australia as of June 29, NB.1.8.1 was the dominant subvariant, accounting for 48.6% of sequences. In the most recent report from Australia's national genomic surveillance platform, there were 24 XFG sequences with 12 collected in the last 28 days meaning it currently comprises approximately 5% of sequences.
When we talk about a new subvariant, people often ask questions including if it's more severe or causes new or different symptoms compared to previous variants. But we're still learning about XFG and we can't answer these questions with certainty yet.
Some sources have reported XFG may be more likely to course "hoarseness" or a scratchy or raspy voice. But we need more information to know if this association is truly significant.
Notably, there's no evidence to suggest XFG causes more severe illness compared to other variants in circulation or that it is necessarily any more transmissible.
Relatively frequent changes to the virus means we have continued to update the COVID vaccines. The most recent update, which targets the JN.1 subvariant, became available in Australia from late 2024. XFG is a descendant of the JN.1 subvariant.
Fortunately, based on the evidence available so far, currently approved COVID vaccines are expected to remain effective against XFG, particularly against symptomatic and severe disease.
Because of SARS-CoV-2's continued evolution, the effect of this on our immune response, as well as the fact protection from COVID vaccines declines over time, COVID vaccines are offered regularly, and recommended for those at the highest risk.
One of the major challenges we face at present in Australia is low COVID vaccine uptake. While rates have increased somewhat recently, they remain relatively low, with only 32.3% of people aged 75 years and over having received a vaccine in the past six months. Vaccination rates in younger age groups are significantly lower.
Although the situation with XFG must continue to be monitored, at present the WHO has assessed the global risk posed by this subvariant as low. The advice for combating COVID remains unchanged, including vaccination as recommended and the early administration of antivirals for those who are eligible.
Measures to reduce the risk of transmission, particularly wearing masks in crowded indoor settings and focusing on air quality and ventilation, are worth remembering to protect against COVID and other viral infections.
Given the number of times this has happened already, it should come as little surprise that we're now faced with yet another new subvariant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID.
This new subvariant is known as XFG (nicknamed "Stratus") and the World Health Organization (WHO) designated it a "variant under monitoring" in late June. XFG is a subvariant of Omicron, of which there are now more than 1,000.
A "variant under monitoring" signifies a variant or subvariant which needs prioritised attention and monitoring due to characteristics that may pose an additional threat compared to other circulating variants.
XFG was one of seven variants under monitoring as of June 25. The most recent addition before XFG was NB.1.8.1 (nicknamed "Nimbus"), which the WHO declared a variant under monitoring on May 23.
Both nimbus and stratus are types of clouds.
Nimbus is currently the dominant subvariant worldwide - but Stratus is edging closer. So what do you need to know about Stratus, or XFG?
XFG is a recombinant of LF.7 and LP.8.1.2 which means these two subvariants have shared genetic material to come up with the new subvariant. Recombinants are designated with an X at the start of their name.
While recombination and other spontaneous changes happen often with SARS-CoV-2, it becomes a problem when it creates a subvariant that is changed in such a way that its properties cause more problems for us.
Most commonly this means the virus looks different enough that protection from past infection (and vaccination) doesn't work so well, called immune evasion. This basically means the population becomes more susceptible and can lead to an increase in cases, and even a whole new wave of COVID infections across the world.
XFG has four key mutations in the spike protein, a protein on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 which allows it to attach to our cells. Some are believed to enhance evasion by certain antibodies.
Early laboratory studies have suggested a nearly two-fold reduction in how well antibodies block the virus compared to LP.8.1.1.
The earliest XFG sample was collected on January 27.
As of June 22, there were 1,648 XFG sequences submitted to GISAID from 38 countries (GISAID is the global database used to track the prevalence of different variants around the world). This represents 22.7% of the globally available sequences at the time.
This was a significant rise from 7.4% four weeks prior and only just below the proportion of NB.1.8.1 at 24.9%. Given the now declining proportion of viral sequences of NB.1.8.1 overall, and the rapid rise of XFG, it would seem reasonable to expect XFG to become dominant very soon.
According to Australian data expert Mike Honey, the countries showing the highest rates of detection of XFG as of mid-June include India at more than 50%, followed by Spain at 42%, and the United Kingdom and United States, where the subvariant makes up more than 30% of cases.
In Australia as of June 29, NB.1.8.1 was the dominant subvariant, accounting for 48.6% of sequences. In the most recent report from Australia's national genomic surveillance platform, there were 24 XFG sequences with 12 collected in the last 28 days meaning it currently comprises approximately 5% of sequences.
When we talk about a new subvariant, people often ask questions including if it's more severe or causes new or different symptoms compared to previous variants. But we're still learning about XFG and we can't answer these questions with certainty yet.
Some sources have reported XFG may be more likely to course "hoarseness" or a scratchy or raspy voice. But we need more information to know if this association is truly significant.
Notably, there's no evidence to suggest XFG causes more severe illness compared to other variants in circulation or that it is necessarily any more transmissible.
Relatively frequent changes to the virus means we have continued to update the COVID vaccines. The most recent update, which targets the JN.1 subvariant, became available in Australia from late 2024. XFG is a descendant of the JN.1 subvariant.
Fortunately, based on the evidence available so far, currently approved COVID vaccines are expected to remain effective against XFG, particularly against symptomatic and severe disease.
Because of SARS-CoV-2's continued evolution, the effect of this on our immune response, as well as the fact protection from COVID vaccines declines over time, COVID vaccines are offered regularly, and recommended for those at the highest risk.
One of the major challenges we face at present in Australia is low COVID vaccine uptake. While rates have increased somewhat recently, they remain relatively low, with only 32.3% of people aged 75 years and over having received a vaccine in the past six months. Vaccination rates in younger age groups are significantly lower.
Although the situation with XFG must continue to be monitored, at present the WHO has assessed the global risk posed by this subvariant as low. The advice for combating COVID remains unchanged, including vaccination as recommended and the early administration of antivirals for those who are eligible.
Measures to reduce the risk of transmission, particularly wearing masks in crowded indoor settings and focusing on air quality and ventilation, are worth remembering to protect against COVID and other viral infections.
Given the number of times this has happened already, it should come as little surprise that we're now faced with yet another new subvariant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID.
This new subvariant is known as XFG (nicknamed "Stratus") and the World Health Organization (WHO) designated it a "variant under monitoring" in late June. XFG is a subvariant of Omicron, of which there are now more than 1,000.
A "variant under monitoring" signifies a variant or subvariant which needs prioritised attention and monitoring due to characteristics that may pose an additional threat compared to other circulating variants.
XFG was one of seven variants under monitoring as of June 25. The most recent addition before XFG was NB.1.8.1 (nicknamed "Nimbus"), which the WHO declared a variant under monitoring on May 23.
Both nimbus and stratus are types of clouds.
Nimbus is currently the dominant subvariant worldwide - but Stratus is edging closer. So what do you need to know about Stratus, or XFG?
XFG is a recombinant of LF.7 and LP.8.1.2 which means these two subvariants have shared genetic material to come up with the new subvariant. Recombinants are designated with an X at the start of their name.
While recombination and other spontaneous changes happen often with SARS-CoV-2, it becomes a problem when it creates a subvariant that is changed in such a way that its properties cause more problems for us.
Most commonly this means the virus looks different enough that protection from past infection (and vaccination) doesn't work so well, called immune evasion. This basically means the population becomes more susceptible and can lead to an increase in cases, and even a whole new wave of COVID infections across the world.
XFG has four key mutations in the spike protein, a protein on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 which allows it to attach to our cells. Some are believed to enhance evasion by certain antibodies.
Early laboratory studies have suggested a nearly two-fold reduction in how well antibodies block the virus compared to LP.8.1.1.
The earliest XFG sample was collected on January 27.
As of June 22, there were 1,648 XFG sequences submitted to GISAID from 38 countries (GISAID is the global database used to track the prevalence of different variants around the world). This represents 22.7% of the globally available sequences at the time.
This was a significant rise from 7.4% four weeks prior and only just below the proportion of NB.1.8.1 at 24.9%. Given the now declining proportion of viral sequences of NB.1.8.1 overall, and the rapid rise of XFG, it would seem reasonable to expect XFG to become dominant very soon.
According to Australian data expert Mike Honey, the countries showing the highest rates of detection of XFG as of mid-June include India at more than 50%, followed by Spain at 42%, and the United Kingdom and United States, where the subvariant makes up more than 30% of cases.
In Australia as of June 29, NB.1.8.1 was the dominant subvariant, accounting for 48.6% of sequences. In the most recent report from Australia's national genomic surveillance platform, there were 24 XFG sequences with 12 collected in the last 28 days meaning it currently comprises approximately 5% of sequences.
When we talk about a new subvariant, people often ask questions including if it's more severe or causes new or different symptoms compared to previous variants. But we're still learning about XFG and we can't answer these questions with certainty yet.
Some sources have reported XFG may be more likely to course "hoarseness" or a scratchy or raspy voice. But we need more information to know if this association is truly significant.
Notably, there's no evidence to suggest XFG causes more severe illness compared to other variants in circulation or that it is necessarily any more transmissible.
Relatively frequent changes to the virus means we have continued to update the COVID vaccines. The most recent update, which targets the JN.1 subvariant, became available in Australia from late 2024. XFG is a descendant of the JN.1 subvariant.
Fortunately, based on the evidence available so far, currently approved COVID vaccines are expected to remain effective against XFG, particularly against symptomatic and severe disease.
Because of SARS-CoV-2's continued evolution, the effect of this on our immune response, as well as the fact protection from COVID vaccines declines over time, COVID vaccines are offered regularly, and recommended for those at the highest risk.
One of the major challenges we face at present in Australia is low COVID vaccine uptake. While rates have increased somewhat recently, they remain relatively low, with only 32.3% of people aged 75 years and over having received a vaccine in the past six months. Vaccination rates in younger age groups are significantly lower.
Although the situation with XFG must continue to be monitored, at present the WHO has assessed the global risk posed by this subvariant as low. The advice for combating COVID remains unchanged, including vaccination as recommended and the early administration of antivirals for those who are eligible.
Measures to reduce the risk of transmission, particularly wearing masks in crowded indoor settings and focusing on air quality and ventilation, are worth remembering to protect against COVID and other viral infections.
Given the number of times this has happened already, it should come as little surprise that we're now faced with yet another new subvariant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID.
This new subvariant is known as XFG (nicknamed "Stratus") and the World Health Organization (WHO) designated it a "variant under monitoring" in late June. XFG is a subvariant of Omicron, of which there are now more than 1,000.
A "variant under monitoring" signifies a variant or subvariant which needs prioritised attention and monitoring due to characteristics that may pose an additional threat compared to other circulating variants.
XFG was one of seven variants under monitoring as of June 25. The most recent addition before XFG was NB.1.8.1 (nicknamed "Nimbus"), which the WHO declared a variant under monitoring on May 23.
Both nimbus and stratus are types of clouds.
Nimbus is currently the dominant subvariant worldwide - but Stratus is edging closer. So what do you need to know about Stratus, or XFG?
XFG is a recombinant of LF.7 and LP.8.1.2 which means these two subvariants have shared genetic material to come up with the new subvariant. Recombinants are designated with an X at the start of their name.
While recombination and other spontaneous changes happen often with SARS-CoV-2, it becomes a problem when it creates a subvariant that is changed in such a way that its properties cause more problems for us.
Most commonly this means the virus looks different enough that protection from past infection (and vaccination) doesn't work so well, called immune evasion. This basically means the population becomes more susceptible and can lead to an increase in cases, and even a whole new wave of COVID infections across the world.
XFG has four key mutations in the spike protein, a protein on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 which allows it to attach to our cells. Some are believed to enhance evasion by certain antibodies.
Early laboratory studies have suggested a nearly two-fold reduction in how well antibodies block the virus compared to LP.8.1.1.
The earliest XFG sample was collected on January 27.
As of June 22, there were 1,648 XFG sequences submitted to GISAID from 38 countries (GISAID is the global database used to track the prevalence of different variants around the world). This represents 22.7% of the globally available sequences at the time.
This was a significant rise from 7.4% four weeks prior and only just below the proportion of NB.1.8.1 at 24.9%. Given the now declining proportion of viral sequences of NB.1.8.1 overall, and the rapid rise of XFG, it would seem reasonable to expect XFG to become dominant very soon.
According to Australian data expert Mike Honey, the countries showing the highest rates of detection of XFG as of mid-June include India at more than 50%, followed by Spain at 42%, and the United Kingdom and United States, where the subvariant makes up more than 30% of cases.
In Australia as of June 29, NB.1.8.1 was the dominant subvariant, accounting for 48.6% of sequences. In the most recent report from Australia's national genomic surveillance platform, there were 24 XFG sequences with 12 collected in the last 28 days meaning it currently comprises approximately 5% of sequences.
When we talk about a new subvariant, people often ask questions including if it's more severe or causes new or different symptoms compared to previous variants. But we're still learning about XFG and we can't answer these questions with certainty yet.
Some sources have reported XFG may be more likely to course "hoarseness" or a scratchy or raspy voice. But we need more information to know if this association is truly significant.
Notably, there's no evidence to suggest XFG causes more severe illness compared to other variants in circulation or that it is necessarily any more transmissible.
Relatively frequent changes to the virus means we have continued to update the COVID vaccines. The most recent update, which targets the JN.1 subvariant, became available in Australia from late 2024. XFG is a descendant of the JN.1 subvariant.
Fortunately, based on the evidence available so far, currently approved COVID vaccines are expected to remain effective against XFG, particularly against symptomatic and severe disease.
Because of SARS-CoV-2's continued evolution, the effect of this on our immune response, as well as the fact protection from COVID vaccines declines over time, COVID vaccines are offered regularly, and recommended for those at the highest risk.
One of the major challenges we face at present in Australia is low COVID vaccine uptake. While rates have increased somewhat recently, they remain relatively low, with only 32.3% of people aged 75 years and over having received a vaccine in the past six months. Vaccination rates in younger age groups are significantly lower.
Although the situation with XFG must continue to be monitored, at present the WHO has assessed the global risk posed by this subvariant as low. The advice for combating COVID remains unchanged, including vaccination as recommended and the early administration of antivirals for those who are eligible.
Measures to reduce the risk of transmission, particularly wearing masks in crowded indoor settings and focusing on air quality and ventilation, are worth remembering to protect against COVID and other viral infections.
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The Advertiser
3 days ago
- The Advertiser
'It's like I'm dying': Since getting COVID seven months ago, Jody can't sleep
Jody Croft says she has been suffering from insomnia since she contracted COVID seven months ago. "I can't sleep at all. I'm scared," said Miss Croft, a mother of three. "Sleeping tablets don't work. I've tried medicinal cannabis. I'm weak. It's like I'm dying," the mother of three said. Miss Croft, of Cameron Park, said her COVID was not initially bad. "I had body shakes, but because I wasn't sleeping I went to the doctor and did a blood test. That showed I had neutrophilia. "I then went to the hospital and they said I had COVID." Miss Croft, 42, said it felt like "my brain is deteriorating". "I can't think straight. I'm confused and having hallucinations. Every day it's getting worse. I can't clean my house. I can't be a mother. "I can't drive and haven't been to the shops for five months. I can't play with my kids. It's completely disabled me." She had been to various hospitals repeatedly, including John Hunter, Belmont, Maitland and Calvary Mater. The NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation states that long COVID can cause sleep disorders, neurological symptoms, cognitive impairment, memory loss, concentration difficulties and brain fog. Dr Gemma Paech, a sleep specialist with University of Newcastle, wrote in 2022 of a condition known as "coronasomnia or COVID insomnia". Professor Peter Wark, who has researched long COVID, said "there are many reasons for someone to have insomnia". "It has been described in people who have long COVID, but we're seeing much less long COVID now. There's no doubt about that," Professor Wark said. "Perhaps that's because the severity of the COVID illness is not particularly bad. The virus has certainly changed. Earlier types of the virus caused more problems." When Miss Croft saw a doctor at John Hunter Hospital on Wednesday, her medical history since having COVID - which she shared with the Newcastle Herald - was noted as "insomnia and factitious disorder". Factitious disorder is a mental health condition in which a person exaggerates symptoms, inducing illness. It is also known as Munchausen syndrome. The notes also said the hospital had done "extensive investigations", with "unremarkable" results. Miss Croft says she is not faking her illness. "I'm sick. I think it's my brain. Every time I go to hospital, they say it's mental health," Miss Croft said. Nonetheless, after months of asking she has been given appointments through John Hunter to see a neurologist and sleep specialist in two weeks. "I can't wait that long. They're telling me I'm fixated because I'm at the hospital every day, but I want to know what's going on with me. "I want to be admitted into the hospital, so they can monitor me." A Hunter New England Health spokesperson said "the decision to admit a patient is based on the patient's condition and clinical needs". "In most cases, people experiencing lingering after-effects of COVID-19 are managed in primary and community care settings," the spokesperson said. "Symptom management is provided in primary care or referral to a specialist as required. "We continue to remind the community to keep emergency departments and ambulances for saving lives and consider alternative options for non-emergency conditions." Jody Croft says she has been suffering from insomnia since she contracted COVID seven months ago. "I can't sleep at all. I'm scared," said Miss Croft, a mother of three. "Sleeping tablets don't work. I've tried medicinal cannabis. I'm weak. It's like I'm dying," the mother of three said. Miss Croft, of Cameron Park, said her COVID was not initially bad. "I had body shakes, but because I wasn't sleeping I went to the doctor and did a blood test. That showed I had neutrophilia. "I then went to the hospital and they said I had COVID." Miss Croft, 42, said it felt like "my brain is deteriorating". "I can't think straight. I'm confused and having hallucinations. Every day it's getting worse. I can't clean my house. I can't be a mother. "I can't drive and haven't been to the shops for five months. I can't play with my kids. It's completely disabled me." She had been to various hospitals repeatedly, including John Hunter, Belmont, Maitland and Calvary Mater. The NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation states that long COVID can cause sleep disorders, neurological symptoms, cognitive impairment, memory loss, concentration difficulties and brain fog. Dr Gemma Paech, a sleep specialist with University of Newcastle, wrote in 2022 of a condition known as "coronasomnia or COVID insomnia". Professor Peter Wark, who has researched long COVID, said "there are many reasons for someone to have insomnia". "It has been described in people who have long COVID, but we're seeing much less long COVID now. There's no doubt about that," Professor Wark said. "Perhaps that's because the severity of the COVID illness is not particularly bad. The virus has certainly changed. Earlier types of the virus caused more problems." When Miss Croft saw a doctor at John Hunter Hospital on Wednesday, her medical history since having COVID - which she shared with the Newcastle Herald - was noted as "insomnia and factitious disorder". Factitious disorder is a mental health condition in which a person exaggerates symptoms, inducing illness. It is also known as Munchausen syndrome. The notes also said the hospital had done "extensive investigations", with "unremarkable" results. Miss Croft says she is not faking her illness. "I'm sick. I think it's my brain. Every time I go to hospital, they say it's mental health," Miss Croft said. Nonetheless, after months of asking she has been given appointments through John Hunter to see a neurologist and sleep specialist in two weeks. "I can't wait that long. They're telling me I'm fixated because I'm at the hospital every day, but I want to know what's going on with me. "I want to be admitted into the hospital, so they can monitor me." A Hunter New England Health spokesperson said "the decision to admit a patient is based on the patient's condition and clinical needs". "In most cases, people experiencing lingering after-effects of COVID-19 are managed in primary and community care settings," the spokesperson said. "Symptom management is provided in primary care or referral to a specialist as required. "We continue to remind the community to keep emergency departments and ambulances for saving lives and consider alternative options for non-emergency conditions." Jody Croft says she has been suffering from insomnia since she contracted COVID seven months ago. "I can't sleep at all. I'm scared," said Miss Croft, a mother of three. "Sleeping tablets don't work. I've tried medicinal cannabis. I'm weak. It's like I'm dying," the mother of three said. Miss Croft, of Cameron Park, said her COVID was not initially bad. "I had body shakes, but because I wasn't sleeping I went to the doctor and did a blood test. That showed I had neutrophilia. "I then went to the hospital and they said I had COVID." Miss Croft, 42, said it felt like "my brain is deteriorating". "I can't think straight. I'm confused and having hallucinations. Every day it's getting worse. I can't clean my house. I can't be a mother. "I can't drive and haven't been to the shops for five months. I can't play with my kids. It's completely disabled me." She had been to various hospitals repeatedly, including John Hunter, Belmont, Maitland and Calvary Mater. The NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation states that long COVID can cause sleep disorders, neurological symptoms, cognitive impairment, memory loss, concentration difficulties and brain fog. Dr Gemma Paech, a sleep specialist with University of Newcastle, wrote in 2022 of a condition known as "coronasomnia or COVID insomnia". Professor Peter Wark, who has researched long COVID, said "there are many reasons for someone to have insomnia". "It has been described in people who have long COVID, but we're seeing much less long COVID now. There's no doubt about that," Professor Wark said. "Perhaps that's because the severity of the COVID illness is not particularly bad. The virus has certainly changed. Earlier types of the virus caused more problems." When Miss Croft saw a doctor at John Hunter Hospital on Wednesday, her medical history since having COVID - which she shared with the Newcastle Herald - was noted as "insomnia and factitious disorder". Factitious disorder is a mental health condition in which a person exaggerates symptoms, inducing illness. It is also known as Munchausen syndrome. The notes also said the hospital had done "extensive investigations", with "unremarkable" results. Miss Croft says she is not faking her illness. "I'm sick. I think it's my brain. Every time I go to hospital, they say it's mental health," Miss Croft said. Nonetheless, after months of asking she has been given appointments through John Hunter to see a neurologist and sleep specialist in two weeks. "I can't wait that long. They're telling me I'm fixated because I'm at the hospital every day, but I want to know what's going on with me. "I want to be admitted into the hospital, so they can monitor me." A Hunter New England Health spokesperson said "the decision to admit a patient is based on the patient's condition and clinical needs". "In most cases, people experiencing lingering after-effects of COVID-19 are managed in primary and community care settings," the spokesperson said. "Symptom management is provided in primary care or referral to a specialist as required. "We continue to remind the community to keep emergency departments and ambulances for saving lives and consider alternative options for non-emergency conditions." Jody Croft says she has been suffering from insomnia since she contracted COVID seven months ago. "I can't sleep at all. I'm scared," said Miss Croft, a mother of three. "Sleeping tablets don't work. I've tried medicinal cannabis. I'm weak. It's like I'm dying," the mother of three said. Miss Croft, of Cameron Park, said her COVID was not initially bad. "I had body shakes, but because I wasn't sleeping I went to the doctor and did a blood test. That showed I had neutrophilia. "I then went to the hospital and they said I had COVID." Miss Croft, 42, said it felt like "my brain is deteriorating". "I can't think straight. I'm confused and having hallucinations. Every day it's getting worse. I can't clean my house. I can't be a mother. "I can't drive and haven't been to the shops for five months. I can't play with my kids. It's completely disabled me." She had been to various hospitals repeatedly, including John Hunter, Belmont, Maitland and Calvary Mater. The NSW Agency for Clinical Innovation states that long COVID can cause sleep disorders, neurological symptoms, cognitive impairment, memory loss, concentration difficulties and brain fog. Dr Gemma Paech, a sleep specialist with University of Newcastle, wrote in 2022 of a condition known as "coronasomnia or COVID insomnia". Professor Peter Wark, who has researched long COVID, said "there are many reasons for someone to have insomnia". "It has been described in people who have long COVID, but we're seeing much less long COVID now. There's no doubt about that," Professor Wark said. "Perhaps that's because the severity of the COVID illness is not particularly bad. The virus has certainly changed. Earlier types of the virus caused more problems." When Miss Croft saw a doctor at John Hunter Hospital on Wednesday, her medical history since having COVID - which she shared with the Newcastle Herald - was noted as "insomnia and factitious disorder". Factitious disorder is a mental health condition in which a person exaggerates symptoms, inducing illness. It is also known as Munchausen syndrome. The notes also said the hospital had done "extensive investigations", with "unremarkable" results. Miss Croft says she is not faking her illness. "I'm sick. I think it's my brain. Every time I go to hospital, they say it's mental health," Miss Croft said. Nonetheless, after months of asking she has been given appointments through John Hunter to see a neurologist and sleep specialist in two weeks. "I can't wait that long. They're telling me I'm fixated because I'm at the hospital every day, but I want to know what's going on with me. "I want to be admitted into the hospital, so they can monitor me." A Hunter New England Health spokesperson said "the decision to admit a patient is based on the patient's condition and clinical needs". "In most cases, people experiencing lingering after-effects of COVID-19 are managed in primary and community care settings," the spokesperson said. "Symptom management is provided in primary care or referral to a specialist as required. "We continue to remind the community to keep emergency departments and ambulances for saving lives and consider alternative options for non-emergency conditions."
Sydney Morning Herald
4 days ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
The Australian pharma giant on Trump's tariff hit list
Australian pharmaceutical giant CSL is on tariff watch after US President Donald Trump threatened to slug pharmaceutical imports into the US with a 200 per cent impost, two months after asking the US government to carefully consider the consequences of the measure. CSL is an $117 billion ASX giant and the nation's biggest player in pharmaceuticals, a sector responsible for about $2.2 billion in exports to the US. While CSL is exposed to the hefty tariffs proposed by the Trump administration, analysts said the company was insured by its large overseas operations, including its facilities in the US, and the critical nature of the medicines it makes. Founded in 1916 as a vaccine manufacturer for the Australian government, CSL makes vaccines (including COVID-19 vaccines), antivenom, and plasma-derived medicines. It still makes products in Australia and exports them, with Morningstar analyst Shane Ponraj saying on Thursday that while there are other healthcare stocks on the Australian sharemarket, the Trump tariffs 'will only directly affect CSL.' However despite the risk, Ponraj said that CSL's ability to adjust its supply chain, shifting its reliance onto its US facilities, should allow the company to weather the storm if the US government follows through on the tariff threat. 'CSL processes some US products in Australia but has many facilities in the US and some flexibility to adjust supply chains,' Ponraj said. 'While increasing uncertainty near-term, we don't expect CSL's earnings are materially affected because tariffs this high are unlikely to persist, and CSL can adopt by onshoring manufacturing.' In May, in response to the US government's request for public comments on its investigation into pharmaceutical imports, CSL submitted a seven-page letter opposing the introduction of tariffs. 'Broadly imposing tariffs on the pharmaceutical sector would disrupt and limit US patients' access to therapies, increase costs for patients and the healthcare system, raise manufacturing costs, and limit company resources that are available for biomedical innovation, capital investments, and jobs in the US,' it read.
The Age
4 days ago
- The Age
The Australian pharma giant on Trump's tariff hit list
Australian pharmaceutical giant CSL is on tariff watch after US President Donald Trump threatened to slug pharmaceutical imports into the US with a 200 per cent impost, two months after asking the US government to carefully consider the consequences of the measure. CSL is an $117 billion ASX giant and the nation's biggest player in pharmaceuticals, a sector responsible for about $2.2 billion in exports to the US. While CSL is exposed to the hefty tariffs proposed by the Trump administration, analysts said the company was insured by its large overseas operations, including its facilities in the US, and the critical nature of the medicines it makes. Founded in 1916 as a vaccine manufacturer for the Australian government, CSL makes vaccines (including COVID-19 vaccines), antivenom, and plasma-derived medicines. It still makes products in Australia and exports them, with Morningstar analyst Shane Ponraj saying on Thursday that while there are other healthcare stocks on the Australian sharemarket, the Trump tariffs 'will only directly affect CSL.' However despite the risk, Ponraj said that CSL's ability to adjust its supply chain, shifting its reliance onto its US facilities, should allow the company to weather the storm if the US government follows through on the tariff threat. 'CSL processes some US products in Australia but has many facilities in the US and some flexibility to adjust supply chains,' Ponraj said. 'While increasing uncertainty near-term, we don't expect CSL's earnings are materially affected because tariffs this high are unlikely to persist, and CSL can adopt by onshoring manufacturing.' In May, in response to the US government's request for public comments on its investigation into pharmaceutical imports, CSL submitted a seven-page letter opposing the introduction of tariffs. 'Broadly imposing tariffs on the pharmaceutical sector would disrupt and limit US patients' access to therapies, increase costs for patients and the healthcare system, raise manufacturing costs, and limit company resources that are available for biomedical innovation, capital investments, and jobs in the US,' it read.
