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Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A stern 'stay at home' warning has been issued due to a surge in cases of a nasty bug causing severe diarrhoea and vomiting. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has reported a 31.6 per cent increase in norovirus cases between November 4 and 17, compared to the previous fortnight. The agency's report stated: "Norovirus activity is now increasing again across all age groups, with the biggest increase in adults, particularly adults aged 65 years and over." The total number of cases reported were nearly double the usual amount for this time of year, according to the UKHSA. The health watchdog noted that the rise in cases "has begun earlier than usual". The UKHSA is now urging anyone displaying symptoms of the highly contagious virus to 'stay at home', to prevent further spread. People are being advised to wash their hands with soap and warm water and use bleach-based products to clean surfaces to help halt the spread of infections. However, they warned that hand sanitiser - a common germ-killing remedy - does not kill the virus, so it should not be relied upon solely. Norovirus outbreaks in hospitals have also been higher than normal, with a 19.4 per cent increase, reports the Mirror . Amy Douglas, an epidemiologist at UKHSA, said: "We continue to see high levels of norovirus circulating in our communities. If you've caught the virus, take steps to avoid passing the infection on." Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile , select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has issued a stark warning for those suffering from diarrhoea or vomiting: "If you have diarrhoea or vomiting, do not return to work, school or nursery until 48 hours after your symptoms have stopped and don't prepare food for others in that time either. If you are unwell, avoid visiting people in hospitals and care homes to prevent passing on the infection in these settings. Washing your hands with soap and warm water and using bleach-based products to clean surfaces will also help stop infections from spreading. Alcohol gels do not kill norovirus so don't rely on these alone." The agency further detailed the symptoms of the illness, stating: "Nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea but can also include a high temperature, abdominal pain and aching limbs. Norovirus infections can cause dehydration, especially in vulnerable groups such as young children and older or immunocompromised people, so if you do get ill it is important to drink plenty of fluids during that time." It was also noted that the bug primarily spreads through close contact with those infected. For the 2024/2025 season thus far, 89 per cent of samples tested were identified as norovirus genogroup 2 (GII), with 66.3 per cent of these cases being genotype GII. 17. This particular strain has seen an uptick in other countries throughout 2024 and is under careful observation. However, UKHSA reassured that "At present there is no indication it leads to more severe illness." However, experts believe the actual number of cases could be significantly higher than reported. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has stated: "It has been estimated that for every case of norovirus reported to national surveillance in the UK there are about 288 in the community that go unreported, representing an annual burden of around 3 million case." The watchdog also suggested that the spike in cases might be attributed to a variety of reasons, including the increased use of PCR multiplex technology for testing, which can identify several gastrointestinal pathogens at once, and possible changes to the virus post-Covid-19 pandemic. Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.Christopher Nolan on ‘Interstellar’s’ cosmic success 10 years later
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Greg McGarity had reason to be concerned. The Gator Bowl president kept a watchful eye on College Football Playoff scenarios all season and understood the fallout might affect his postseason matchup in Jacksonville. What if the Southeastern Conference got five teams into the expanded CFP? What if the Atlantic Coast Conference landed three spots? It was a math problem that was impossible to truly answer, even into late November. Four first-round playoff games, which will end with four good teams going home without a bowl game, had the potential to shake up the system. The good news for McGarity and other bowl organizers: Adding quality teams to power leagues — Oregon to the Big Ten, Texas to the SEC and SMU to the ACC — managed to ease much of the handwringing. McGarity and the Gator Bowl ended up with their highest-ranked team, No. 16 Ole Miss, in nearly two decades. "It really didn't lessen our pool much at all," McGarity said. "The SEC bowl pool strengthened with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma. You knew they were going to push traditional SEC teams up or down. Texas ended up pushing just about everyone down." The long waiting game was the latest twist for non-CFP bowls that have become adept at dealing with change. Efforts to match the top teams came and went in the 1990s and first decade of this century before the CFP became the first actual tournament in major college football. It was a four-team invitational — until this year, when the 12-team expanded format meant that four quality teams would not be in the mix for bowl games after they lose next week in the first round. "There's been a lot of things that we've kind of had to roll with," said Scott Ramsey, president of the Music City Bowl in Nashville, Tennessee. "I don't think the extra games changed our selection model to much degree. We used to look at the New York's Six before this, and that was 12 teams out of the bowl mix. The 12-team playoff is pretty much the same." Ramsey ended up with No. 23 Missouri against Iowa in his Dec. 30 bowl. A lot of so-called lesser bowl games do have high-profile teams — the ReliaQuest Bowl has No. 11 Alabama vs. Michigan (a rematch of last year's CFP semifinal), Texas A&M and USC will play in the Las Vegas Bowl while No. 14 South Carolina and No. 15 Miami, two CFP bubble teams, ended up in separate bowls in Orlando. "The stress of it is just the fact that the CFP takes that opening weekend," Las Vegas Bowl executive director John Saccenti said. "It kind of condenses the calendar a little bit." Bowl season opens Saturday with the Cricket Celebration Bowl. The first round of the CFP runs Dec. 20-21. It remains to be seen whether non-CFP bowls will see an impact from the new dynamic. They will know more by 2026, with a planned bowl reset looming. It could include CFP expansion from 12 to 14 teams and significant tweaks to the bowl system. More on-campus matchups? More diversity among cities selected to host semifinal and championship games? And would there be a trickle-down effect for everyone else? Demand for non-playoff bowls remains high, according to ESPN, despite increased focus on the expanded CFP and more players choosing to skip season finales to either enter the NCAA transfer portal or begin preparations for the NFL draft. "There's a natural appetite around the holidays for football and bowl games," Kurt Dargis, ESPN's senior director of programming and acquisitions, said at Sports Business Journal's Intercollegiate Athletics Forum last week in Las Vegas. "People still want to watch bowl games, regardless of what's going on with the playoff. ... It's obviously an unknown now with the expanded playoff, but we really feel like it's going to continue." The current bowl format runs through 2025. What lies ahead is anyone's guess. Could sponsors start paying athletes to play in bowl games? Could schools include hefty name, image and likeness incentives for players participating in bowls? Would conferences be willing to dump bowl tie-ins to provide a wider range of potential matchups? Are bowls ready to lean into more edginess like Pop-Tarts has done with its edible mascot? The path forward will be determined primarily by revenue, title sponsors, TV demand and ticket sales. "The one thing I have learned is we're going to serve our partners," Saccenti said. "We're going to be a part of the system that's there, and we're going to try to remain flexible and make sure that we're adjusting to what's going on in the world of postseason college football." Get local news delivered to your inbox!
Albany (NY) 93, Tarzans 50Associated Bank Welcomes Heath Sorenson as Executive Vice President and Managing Director, Associated Trust CompanyRanjan Lanka Private Limited, a trusted name in retail for over five decades, has stepped into the air conditioning (AC) market with the introduction of the Zero brand ACs. Imported from Zero Technologies in China, these ACs are designed to cater to small offices, houses and apartments. The Zero brand ACs are available in two ranges: non-inverter units with capacities from 9,000 to 12,000 (British Thermal Units) BTU and inverter units ranging from 12,000 to 18,000 BTU. These models are being introduced to the general market for the first time, with the initial launch held in Gampaha. The company plans to distribute the units island-wide from its warehouse in Gampaha and is also seeking dealers to expand. Zero ACs are known for their superior durability and energy efficiency. The copper tubes used in these units are thicker than those of other brands, reducing the risk of corrosion and enhancing their lifespan Additionally, the branded compressor operates on low wattage, ensuring lower electricity consumption for both inverter and non-inverter models. One-year warranty is offered for the entire machine and a five-year warranty for the compressor. The company also guarantees availability of spare parts, a common concern in the local market. To further enhance customer satisfaction, the company is offering three free services within the first year. Despite these features, the prices of Zero ACs are highly competitive compared to other brands, making them an affordable option without compromising on quality. Ranjan Lanka, known for its supermarket located at Rest House Road, Gampaha, has been serving customers with groceries, stationery, garments and electronics for 30 years. Its legacy dates back even further, to its beginnings in D.S. Senanayake Street, Ampara, nearly 50 years ago.
TABER, Alta. - RCMP say four people are dead after a highway crash in southern Alberta. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * TABER, Alta. - RCMP say four people are dead after a highway crash in southern Alberta. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? TABER, Alta. – RCMP say four people are dead after a highway crash in southern Alberta. They say a Dodge Ram hauling a trailer, a GMC truck and a Ford Escape collided on Highway 3 west of Grassy Lake on Monday around 6 p.m. The 84-year-old male driver of the Dodge Ram and an 86-year-old passenger were declared dead at the scene. Mounties say they were both from Robsart, Sask. A 38-year-old man from Taber, Alta., who was driving the GMC truck also died at the scene. A passenger in that truck, a 20-year-old man from Taber, died in hospital. The male driver of the Escape received minor injuries. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. The highway was closed for several hours and police are investigating what caused the collision. RCMP extended their condolences to the family and friends of all involved in the “horrible” crash. Advertisement
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy will miss Sunday's game against the Green Bay Packers with a sore throwing shoulder. Purdy injured his right shoulder in last Sunday's loss to the Seattle Seahawks . Purdy underwent an MRI that showed no structural damage but the shoulder didn't improve during the week and Purdy was ruled out for the game. Javascript is required for you to be able to read premium content. Please enable it in your browser settings.