- Inhaled powder that coats airways can block coronavirus infection | New Scientist: Researchers have developed an inhalable powder that coats the airways with a protective gel, which could prevent coronavirus infections in mice and monkeys. This may be effective against any SARS-CoV-2 variant, including future ones that could evolve to evade existing vaccines.
- The Covid emergency in the U.S. ends May 11. HHS officials say here’s what to expect: The Health and Human Services Department has announced that the Covid public health emergency will end in May. The Food and Drug Administration will still have the authority to rapidly authorize Covid vaccines, tests, and treatments, but millions of people may lose their health insurance.
- As the pandemic ebbs, an influential COVID tracker shuts down – NPR: The Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center, which has been a valuable source of information about the virus since its launch in March 2020, is shutting down on March 10th. It was created to provide answers to questions about the virus during the pandemic, such as whether it was safe to go grocery shopping or if runners could get sick by passing another jogger in the park.
- Biden says ‘covid no longer controls our lives.’ Is he right? – The Washington Post: Despite the progress made in the fight against the coronavirus, Biden warned that the virus still poses a threat and urged Americans to remain vigilant. He emphasized that the virus can still cause a surge of another variant, and that it is important to be prepared for this.
- Here’s why Medicaid coverage and free COVID tests, treatments will soon change: The Biden administration has notified states that the COVID-19 public health emergency will end on May 11th, which will put 15 million Americans at risk of losing their Medicaid health insurance. Private insurers will no longer be required to pay for home COVID tests, and vaccines and treatments will be free until early summer. Cases and deaths have decreased significantly since January 2022.
- New Study Highlights Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Cancer Screening Delays: A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology has found that there have been significant delays to cancer screenings due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. This highlights the urgent need for health-care providers to address these delays in populations most likely to delay testing.
- Study: New COVID-19 Variants Haven’t Emerged from China’s COVID-19 Surge: A new study has found that the recent surge of COVID-19 cases in China did not produce any new coronavirus variants. The study examined over 400 sequences of COVID-19 cases out of Beijing from mid-November to mid-December and found that the vast majority of infections were from the previously existing omicron subvariants BA.5.2 and BF.7.
- N.B. monitors deer for COVID-19 after study finds ‘nearly extinct’ variants mutating – CBC: New Brunswick is monitoring white-tailed deer for COVID-19 strains after a study in the U.S. found mutations of SARS-CoV-2 variants in deer that no longer circulate among people, raising questions about whether the animals could transmit the virus back to people. Researchers detected three major variants of concern in the deer, suggesting that they may have been exposed to the virus from humans months earlier.
- COVID drug drives viral mutations — and now some want to halt its use – Nature: A study of 13 million SARS-CoV-2 sequences has uncovered evidence that molnupiravir, a drug widely used to treat COVID-19, may be spurring the evolution of new variants. The results suggest that molnupiravir treatment has sparked the evolution of viral lineages carrying numerous mutations that could spread to other individuals, though it is unclear if this should be of concern.
- Study: Promising drug could cut COVID hospitalizations in half – Mountain View Voice: Stanford Medicine researchers have found that a single injection of a biologically based antiviral medication given to COVID-19 patients within seven days of the onset of symptoms can reduce the likelihood of hospitalization by half. Side effects were no greater than those reported by placebo recipients and less than other types of interferon medications.
- Maternal mRNA covid-19 vaccination during pregnancy and delta or omicron infection … – The BMJ: We defined laboratory confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection of the infant as a positive real-time PCR test result on a respiratory specimen. Whole genome sequencing and s-gene target failure screening were used to classify variants as omicron or delta during the six week transition period. If whole genome sequencing or s-gene target failure screening results were not available, all SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests before 3 December 2021 were classified as omicron.
- Pandemic ‘could be a cause’ of falling proportion of disabled people: The proportion of disabled people in England and Wales fell sharply between 2011 and 2021, particularly among those whose activities were limited a lot by their impairment or health condition. This fall was likely caused, at least partly, by the disproportionate number of disabled people who died during the pandemic. The figures from the 2021 census, released by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), show an overall increase in the proportion of the population in England with a disability.
- Allegheny Co. Jail fires nurse with long COVID-19 as she waits for disability – WTAE: Michelle Breninghouse, an Allegheny County Jail employee, contracted COVID-19 in January 2021 and has been living with long COVID-19 symptoms since then. Her doctors have sent letters to the county stating that her prolonged symptoms prevent her from working, but she was still fired. She is now struggling to keep her job or collect disability.
- No one wants masks, but we still need them to keep Covid at bay – The Guardian: Dr. Pickard’s opinion that the ongoing requirement for mask-wearing in all clinical areas should be abolished is irresponsible and a violation of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. Sars-CoV-2 is a level 3 airborne biohazard, and children are not immune to its harms. Wearing masks is an important safety measure to protect patients and healthcare workers.
- Fact Sheet: COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Transition Roadmap | HHS.gov: The Department of Health and Human Services is planning for the federal Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 to expire at the end of the day on May 11, 2023. Thanks to the Biden Administration’s successful implementation of the largest adult vaccination program in U.S. history, with nearly 270 million doses administered, we are in a better place in our response than we were three years ago.
- ND Senate amends bill banning COVID-19 shots into vaccine study – InForum: The North Dakota Senate passed a bill to study vaccines, including those for COVID-19, in a 25-22 vote. The bill was amended to make it an optional 2023-24 interim legislative study of the long-term health effects of vaccines and mRNA vaccines. The bill now goes to the state House of Representatives.
- Vaccine Development After The COVID-19 Pandemic: Are Programs And Policies Ready To …: The winter of 2022-23 is predicted to be a “tripledemic”, with the co-circulation of influenza, COVID-19, and RSV overwhelming hospital emergency departments. Vaccines and treatments for influenza and COVID-19 are available, and public health and medical authorities have strongly recommended their use. This has led to an era of vaccine innovation marked by the adoption of new technologies such as mRNA and expanded disease targets.
- North Dakota Senate amends bill banning COVID-19 shots into vaccine study: The North Dakota Senate amended and passed a bill that would create an optional study of the long-term health effects of vaccines, including mRNA vaccines for COVID-19. The bill now goes to the state House of Representatives.
- First on CNN: HHS secretary sends letter to state governors on what’s to come when Covid …: HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra has sent a letter and fact sheet to state governors detailing the end of the Covid-19 public health emergency declaration in May. The transition will focus on improving standards of care for patients and working with state, local, Tribal, and Territorial governments.
- Illinois County Worker Denied Telework for Covid Risk Ends Suit – Bloomberg Law News: Gerald Gentile, a former home inspector with lung dysfunction, settled his lawsuit against DuPage County, Illinois alleging he was denied continued remote work as an accommodation for his Covid-19 health risks. The case was dismissed without prejudice, but may be reinstated by either side on or before February 28th.
- Washington High Court Narrows Instacart’s Covid Pay Law Dispute – Bloomberg Law News: The Washington Supreme Court ruled that Instacart and the Washington Food Industry Association cannot pursue some claims in their challenge to a Seattle law guaranteeing delivery drivers extra pay during the pandemic.
- Yes, Pfizer and Moderna are increasing the cost of their COVID vaccines – KHOU: Pfizer and Moderna have not yet announced any plans to increase the price of their COVID-19 vaccines. The petition circulating online is calling for an end to potential price gouging, but no such increases have been announced.
- Judge: Federal lawsuit against Vigo sheriff in COVID-19 case may continue – Yahoo: A federal judge has ruled that a lawsuit filed by Nathan Epple, an inmate of the Vigo County Jail, against Sheriff John Plasse can continue. Epple alleges he contracted COVID-19 due to poor practices or indifference at the jail. This was discovered after Frederick Whitlock, Epple’s cellmate, collapsed and tested positive for COVID-19 after his death.
- Should Future COVID Boosters Include the Ancestral Strain? | MedPage Today: The bivalent booster vaccine currently authorized appears to perform well, as evidenced by the FDA advisors’ vote to harmonize vaccine formulations. However, further research is needed to determine if the ancestral strain’s sequence should be included in any new vaccines.
- Study: Promising drug could cut COVID hospitalizations in half – Mountain View Voice: Stanford Medicine researchers have found that a single injection of a biologically based antiviral medication given to patients within seven days of the onset of COVID-19 can reduce the likelihood of hospitalization by half. Side effects were minimal and tended to be less than those of other interferon medications.
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.
