- COVID-19 BNT162b2 Vaccine More Effective Against Delta vs … – Infectious Disease Advisor: A study published in The Journal of Infectious Diseases found that two doses of the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine provide strong and sustained protection against infection with the Delta variant, but comparatively lower and rapidly waning protection against the Omicron variant among adolescents aged 12 to 17 years.
- Hologic Fiscal Q1 Revenues Fall 27 Percent as COVID-19 Assay … – GenomeWeb: Hologic reported a 27% year-over-year decline in revenues for the fiscal first quarter of 2023 due to decreased COVID-19 assay sales and difficulties securing semiconductor chips for its Breast Health business. Despite this, the company still beat Wall Street expectations and their own guidance. CEO Steve MacMillan noted strong performance from non-COVID-19 diagnostic products.
- Could a popular COVID-19 antiviral supercharge the pandemic? – Science: A new preprint suggests that molnupiravir, a widely used COVID-19 drug produced by Merck & Co., may be driving the appearance of new SARS-CoV-2 variants. This has sparked concerns that it could prolong and even reinvigorate the pandemic. Merck has responded by saying that the drug is safe and effective.
- The latest research on long COVID symptoms, treatments & more … – American Medical Association: In the AMA Update, AMA Vice President of Science, Medicine and Public Health Andrea Garcia, JD, MPH, discusses the latest research on long COVID, Omicron variant XBB.1.5 and other SARS-CoV-2 subvariants. She also covers how the Biden administration’s decision to end COVID-19 national emergency and U.S. public health emergency on May 11 will affect hospitals, physicians and patients, as well as the World Health Organization’s new guidance on vaccine distribution.
- Kansas is one of two states without a long COVID clinic – Valley Public Radio: Kansas and South Dakota are the only states in the US without long COVID clinics, leaving people with lingering symptoms of the virus without treatment. Samantha Horton of the Kansas News Service reports on this issue.
- Experts declare Long COVID a public health crisis rife with equity … – WAMC: At a webinar held by the Public Health Institute of Western Mass in January, experts discussed how Long COVID is affecting Commonwealth residents and how support and resources for those impacted are not equitably accessible. Dr. Bruce Levy, Interim Chair of Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and co-founder of the COVID Recovery Project, said that Long COVID can be thought of as the post-pandemic pandemic.
- Public Health Update for the Spring Semester – UMass Amherst: We are excited to welcome everyone back to campus for the spring semester! Our policies and protocols will remain the same as the fall semester, including COVID-19 testing, masking, antigen tests, isolation management, influenza and RSV prevention, and medical accommodations. Our collective wellbeing is essential for a successful semester.
- Future-proof your company with a disability management plan – Employee Benefit News: Organizations often fail to accommodate workers with disabilities, despite the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). This is set to become an even bigger issue as the baby boomer generation ages and millions struggle with lasting effects from COVID. The U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment Commission defines a disability as a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits a major life activity, yet only 19% of workers with disabilities are employed. Employers should take steps to better support people with disabilities in the workplace.
- Colorado’s COVID hospitalizations rise slightly, possibly due to new XBB.1.5 variant – The Denver Post: Colorado’s COVID-19 hospitalizations have risen slightly this week, and some indicators suggest the XBB.1.5 variant may be spreading more widely. CDC estimates that XBB.1.5 accounts for 61% of cases nationwide and 33% in the region, though wastewater data may not reflect this trend.
- COVID Cases Still Low in Washoe County, RSV Cases Drop from … – KTVN: The Washoe County Health District reported that COVID-19 infections are still low, and the XBB variant cases are not as high as they were last month. RSV cases have also decreased since the fall.
- Could a popular COVID-19 antiviral supercharge the pandemic? – Science: A new preprint suggests that molnupiravir, a drug produced by Merck & Co. to treat COVID-19, may be driving the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants that can survive and spread. William Haseltine, chair of ACCESS Health International, has raised concerns about the drug, warning that its use could prolong and even reinvigorate the pandemic.
Daily News Pulse for March 13, 2023
Summary: Princeton students have seen an overall improvement in course satisfaction since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. In Japan, many people are still wearing masks despite the government’s easing of guidelines.
