Scientists have produced evidence that the pandemic virus is 'uniquely adapted to infect humans', raising fresh questions over whether its origins were natural or could have occurred in a laboratory.
Where did the Coronavirus 19 Originate from? and anything relative to the virus.
Where did the Coronavirus 19 originate from? and anything relative to the virus.
Coronavirus is 'uniquely adapted to infect humans': Top vaccine scientist says it could only have come from an animal through a 'freak of nature' - and the possibility it leaked from Wuhan lab MUST be investigated
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34.4% have had their booster Australia wide.
Varies between states ... booster rate in in blue.
While the initial signs of the virus are now well known, additional symptoms associated with new COVID-19 variants and "Long COVID" are continually being discovered and documented.
The case of a man in the United States has drawn widespread media attention to what he believes is a seldom-discussed side effect of coronavirus - a reduction in the size of his penis
Inch and a half shorter
In the letter to the show, the man explained that he contracted the virus in July 2021 and was hospitalised. After being discharged, he experienced "some erectile dysfunction issues" which eased after seeking medical attention.
He added, though, that he "seemed to be left with a lasting problem" after he noticed his previously "above average" penis had shrunk by an inch and a half compared to its size before he was ill with the virus.
According to the man, who is not named in the correspondence, his doctors advised him that the shrinkage was due to "vascular damage" and is likely permanent.
The connection between COVID-19 and issues with the reproductive system is still a grey area but some studies that have already been carried out have made tentative links between the virus and conditions such as erectile dysfunction (ED).
Researchers discovered traces of the virus could still be found in the genitals months after infection.
The findings, which were published in the World Journal of Men’s Health in July last year, led the researchers to conclude that the virus may restrict the supply of blood to the genitals which in time could result in difficulty in achieving an erection.
Long COVID symptoms
The link between poor circulation and COVID-19 has been established in relation to other body parts with infected patients presenting symptoms including "COVID toes," a condition similar to frostbite seen in some coronavirus cases.
A study published by the University College London in July 2021 identified over 200 symptoms now associated with Long COVID from a data set of 3,762 participants from 56 countries.
As well as more unusual long-term effects such as vision loss, new allergies, and the inability to cry or yawn, some of the rarer symptoms of the condition that were noted in the study focused on the reproductive system.
In women, this has meant the early onset of menopause and irregular periods being noted. For men, a decrease in the size of the genitals - both the penis and the testicles - was noted in some of the participants which is consistent with the case of the man from the US.
Just as scientific inquiry is still ongoing into the long-term effects of the virus, there is no consensus as yet on how to treat and revert the potential damage caused by COVID-19 to reproductive organs.
Australia/New Zealand COVID-19 update 2 February 2022
Australia wide — 40,110 new cases; 285,590 active cases; 4,590 in hospital; 347 in ICU; 70 deaths.
• NSW: 11,807 new cases, 119,265 active cases, 2,622 in hospital, 170 in ICU, 27 deaths.
• VIC: 14,553 new cases, 73,886 active cases, 768 in hospital, 99 in ICU, 25 deaths.
• QLD: 9,630 new cases, 59,682 active cases, 763 in hospital, 49 in ICU, 16 deaths.
• ACT: 549 new cases, 3,386 active cases, 61 in hospital, 1 in ICU.
• TAS: 666 new cases, 3,876 active cases, 13 in hospital, 2 in ICU.
• SA: 1,723 new cases, 18,741 active cases, 233 in hospital, 21 in ICU, 1 death.
• WA: 29 new cases (17 local), 178 active cases, 1 in hospital, 0 in ICU.
• NT: 1,153 new cases, 6,576 active cases, 129 in hospital, 5 in ICU, 1 death.
• NEW ZEALAND: 196 new cases (142 local), 20,138 tests, 994 active cases, 6 in hospital, 0 in ICU.