EMJ 5.4 2020

Since the detection of the first cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant causing COVID-19 infections in South Africa in November 2021, there have been a few population-based reports to suggest that the clinical severity and presentation of this variant is different to previous COVID-19 surges. This variant is known to have several mutations to previous variants of this virus; hence, it was predicted to be much more infectious due to possible immune evasion.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS), also known as an insulin resistance syndrome, has been related to higher blood pressure outside of the normal range, insulin resistance, and increased fasting glucose levels.

A 54-year-old male tested positive in late February on a screening COVID-19 test performed after a family member’s test had become positive. A few weeks later, they presented to the emergency room at a different hospital centre with shortness of breath and fever.

Abnormalities of the umbilical cord are very common in pregnancy. These include marginal insertion, velamentous cord insertion, umbilical cord true knot, umbilical torsion, and many more.