- ‘Kraken’ COVID-19 Variant Threatens US Workforce – SHRM: With the rapid rise of a new variant of COVID-19, nicknamed “Kraken,” employers should take precautionary measures in their workforces to prevent outbreaks—even though many employees may be tired of thinking about COVID-19.
- What’s kraken? 4 things to know about the new XBB.1.5 COVID variant – Nebraska Medicine: A new COVID-19 variant, nicknamed “kraken,” is causing concern among health care professionals. The kraken variant is a descendent of the XBB variant, nicknamed gryphon. Gryphon caused large outbreaks in Asia this past fall. It was the first documented example of a SARS-CoV-2 variant that evolved from two viruses combining genetic information. Regions of the United States affected early by kraken are experiencing a dramatic acceleration of hospital admissions.
- ‘Kraken’ strain causes new COVID concerns – ABC 6 News – kaaltv … – ABC 6 News KAAL TV: The virus that causes COVID-19 is constantly changing and has been mutating since it first appeared three years ago. A new COVID-19 omicron variant, XBB.1.5 is spreading quickly and being closely monitored, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. With this new variant, the so called ‘Kraken strain’ experts worry about high infection rates because it attaches to moist areas with the human body easily.
- Study explores incidence, severity, and long COVID associations of SARS-CoV-2 reinfections – News-Medical.Net: A recent study found that there is an increase in SARS-CoV-2 reinfections, which are caused by mutations in the spike protein region. These mutations allow the virus to escape immunity, resulting in more infections.
- Study suggests that long-COVID is associated with physical inactivity – News-Medical.Net: In a recent study, researchers in Brazil assessed the association between post-acute sequelae of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) (PASC) and physical inactivity. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections have resulted in critical disease outcomes and hospitalizations. Studies have highlighted the high incidence of PASC symptoms among COVID-19 survivors, which has burdened health systems worldwide. This condition is termed ‘long COVID’ and is described as the disease experienced by individuals having a history of suspected or confirmed COVID-19. Researchers have observed that physical inactivity is an independent risk factor associated with PASC.
- Study: There Are 4 Subtypes of Long COVID – Prevention Magazine: A new study has found that there are four main subtypes of long COVID. The study used machine learning to analyze clusters of symptoms in about 35,000 patients with long COVID. This isn’t the first study to try to classify long COVID.
- White House Lays Groundwork For What Could Be Last Renewal Of … – Kaiser Health News: The Biden administration is preparing to end the Covid public health emergency after it is renewed this week for the 11th time. Leaders say vulnerable populations need to be protected before the emergency is called to an end.
- WHO urges travelers to wear masks as new COVID variant spreads – Financial Post: The World Health Organization (WHO) is recommending that people wear masks on long-haul flights to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The WHO says that the XBB.1.5 subvariant, which is the most transmissible form of the virus, has been detected in small but growing numbers in Europe.
- UPDATE 1-WHO backs mask-wearing on long flights given rapid US spread of Omicron variant – Yahoo Finance: The World Health Organization is recommending that people wear masks on long-haul flights to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
- Why COVID’s XBB.1.5 ‘Kraken’ Variant Is So Contagious – Scientific American: A new, rapidly spreading variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID, means a rise in new infections could be around the corner. The variant could dodge some of our defenses thanks to a mutational boost.
Daily News Pulse for April 05, 2023
April 5, 2023
Summary: The domestic box office is close to reaching pre-pandemic levels, with mid-budget films helping to bring moviegoers back. Research has found that diabetes is a major factor in the severity of COVID-19 cases. The US government is planning to authorize booster doses of the vaccine for high-risk populations.
