Tag

Covid 19

All articles tagged with #covid 19

health1 day ago•6 min saved

Moderna’s combo flu-COVID shot shows durable immune response in mid-stage trial

Moderna reported that its experimental mRNA-1073 two-in-one flu and COVID-19 vaccine elicited durable immune responses against matched influenza and SARS-CoV-2 strains for six months in a small 550-participant mid-stage trial, with no serious safety concerns; the briefing also covers ongoing Potomac River contamination concerns after a wastewater spill, a long-term MSU study showing college students rebounded emotionally post-pandemic, and other health news highlights.

via CIDRAP|

#clinical-trials #covid-19 #health

politics7 days ago•23 min saved

White House taps Great Barrington co-author to lead the CDC (acting)

The White House named Jay Bhattacharya, a critic of the CDC’s pandemic response and co-author of the Great Barrington Declaration, to lead the CDC on an acting basis.

via The Washington Post|

#centers-for-disease-control-and-prevention #covid-19 #great-barrington-declaration

environment18 days ago•6 min saved

Covid-era Clean Air Sparked Unexpected Methane Surge

COVID-19 lockdowns sharply reduced nitrogen oxides, shrinking the hydroxyl radical that normally destroys methane and causing a large methane spike in 2020—about 80% of the rise came from a slower methane sink, with the remaining ~20% from increased ground emissions. Wetlands in tropical Africa and Southeast Asia, boosted by La Niña’s wetter conditions, contributed roughly 30% of the global increase during 2020–2022, marking a ‘clean air paradox’ where cleaner urban air reduces methane sinks and intensifies the need for aggressive anthropogenic methane cuts to curb warming.

via Ars Technica|

#covid-19 #environment #hydroxyl-radical

health22 days ago•7 min saved

Metformin May Cut Long-COVID Risk When Used During COVID, Review Finds

A literature review of randomized trials and health-record analyses suggests that taking metformin during acute COVID-19 can reduce the risk of developing long COVID by roughly 40%–60%, though it is studied for prevention rather than treatment of existing long COVID; findings, including the COVID-OUT trial and EHR-based studies, have replicated this protective effect and point to possible antiviral benefits and compatibility with other antivirals, making metformin a potential low-cost outpatient preventive option.

via CIDRAP|

#covid-19 #electronic-health-records #health

business22 days ago•3 min saved

Pfizer bets on Metsera and cost cuts as Q4 beats amid waning Covid sales

Pfizer beat Q4 estimates with adjusted EPS of 66 cents on $17.56 billion in revenue, despite weaker demand for its Covid vaccine and Paxlovid; it reaffirmed a modest 2026 outlook, plans about $7.7 billion in cost cuts by 2027, and is betting on long-term growth from the Metsera acquisition, including obesity therapy data, while facing ongoing price pressure in Medicaid and competitive pressures on older drugs.

via CNBC|

#business #covid-19 #earnings

health23 days ago•266 min saved

Last-Call Winter Vaccines: Flu Shot and Boosters Before February Ends

With flu, COVID-19, RSV and other viruses circulating together, doctors urge getting key vaccines now. The flu vaccine is recommended through February, and boosters for COVID-19, a TDaP booster, and vaccines for RSV and pneumococcus are advised for eligible groups, especially adults over 65. Vaccination reduces risk of severe illness, hospitalization and community spread, even if you still contract some viruses. Vaccines are widely available at doctor’s offices, pharmacies and health departments, and immunity takes about two weeks to develop. February isn’t too late to get protected and help ease winter healthcare strain.

via AOL.com|

#boosters #covid-19 #flu

health23 days ago•3 min saved

U.S. life expectancy climbs to a record 79 in 2024 as deaths from leading killers ease

U.S. life expectancy rose to a record 79 years in 2024, driven by the fading impact of COVID-19 and falling death rates from heart disease, cancer, and drug overdoses, with preliminary data hinting at further gains in 2025.

via Los Angeles Times|

#cdc #covid-19 #drug-overdoses

health25 days ago•42 min saved

Colorado records first pediatric COVID-19 death of the season as vaccination rates lag

Colorado reports its first pediatric death from COVID-19 this season, a Denver-area student, as vaccination rates for young Coloradans remain low; officials say vaccines remain effective at preventing severe illness and urge parents to vaccinate children amid a tough flu season.

via Colorado Public Radio|

#childrens-health #colorado-news #covid-19

health26 days ago•2 min saved

Flu uptick returns as RSV and COVID activity remains elevated in parts of the U.S.

CDC reports that after a three‑week decline, flu activity is rising across the U.S. while RSV and COVID-19 remain elevated in various states (13 states with higher flu, 21 with RSV, 11 with COVID growth). Overall acute respiratory illness is still low to moderate, but infants face the highest RSV hospitalizations and ED visits. There have been eight additional pediatric flu deaths this season (52 total), and flu hospitalizations have reached about 15,080. Influenza A(H3N2) remains dominant with subclade K mutations that may help it evade vaccine immunity. Vaccination remains encouraged and not too late, though uptake is low; wastewater data show high levels of COVID-19, flu, and RSV in several states.

via CIDRAP|

#cdc #covid-19 #flu

health27 days ago•3 min saved

Colorado logs first pediatric COVID-19 death of the season

Colorado health officials confirm the season's first pediatric death from COVID-19—a high school‑aged child in the Denver metro area who died in December—and note ongoing COVID activity with 68 COVID-related hospitalizations in the week ending Jan. 24, plus higher flu and RSV hospitalizations; three children have died from the flu this season in Colorado.

via 9news.com|

#children #colorado #covid-19

health27 days ago•3 min saved

U.S. life expectancy reaches record 79 in 2024 as deaths from major killers decline

U.S. life expectancy rose to a record 79 years in 2024, driven by fading COVID-19 deaths and lower mortality from heart disease, cancer and drug overdoses; preliminary 2025 data hint at further gains. About 3.07 million Americans died in 2024, roughly 18,000 fewer than 2023, with declines across racial groups and both sexes, while COVID-19 dropped out of the top 10 killers and unintentional injuries declined the most. Infant mortality was little changed, and health experts say more progress is needed to close remaining gaps.

via CBS News|

#cdc #covid-19 #drug-overdoses

health28 days ago•325 min saved

US life expectancy hits all-time high as overdoses and Covid decline in 2024

US life expectancy reached a record 79 years in 2024 as deaths eased toward pre-pandemic levels. Overdose deaths fell around 26% in 2024, with fentanyl’s share declining, and Covid-19 deaths diminished in the ranking of leading causes alongside heart disease and cancer. While the overall trend is positive, disparities by race/ethnicity persist and infant mortality remains a concern.

via CNN|

#cdc #covid-19 #health

health1 month ago•3 min saved

Kansas wastewater reveals multi-virus surge as flu season begins

Lawrence’s wastewater tests show high levels of six viruses—COVID-19, influenza A and B, RSV, human metapneumovirus, and norovirus—over the past three weeks, signaling community circulation during peak flu season; wastewater data reflects viral spread rather than exact case counts, with an earlier influenza B peak and a rising COVID Stratus/XFG variant (82.5% of positives, up 25%), and Salina reporting medium concentrations for these illnesses as well; health officials urge vaccination, masking at some clinics, and staying home when sick to curb spread.

via hayspost.com|

#covid-19 #flu-season #health

world1 month ago•7 min saved

WHO regrets U.S. withdrawal and urges renewed global health partnership

WHO’s statement expresses regret over the United States’ notification of withdrawal, stating the move would reduce safety for both the U.S. and the world and noting that the issue will be discussed by the WHO Executive Board and World Health Assembly in 2026. It defends WHO’s COVID-19 response as transparent and evidence-based, clarifies that WHO did not advocate mask or vaccine mandates or lockdowns, and highlights ongoing efforts to strengthen pandemic preparedness—such as the WHO Pandemic Agreement and Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing—while expressing hope the United States will return to active participation.

via World Health Organization (WHO)|

#covid-19 #global-health-security #pandemic-agreement

health1 month ago•6 min saved

Six Viruses Detected at High Levels in Lawrence Wastewater Amid Flu Surge

Lawrence wastewater shows high levels of six viruses—COVID-19, influenza A and B, RSV, human metapneumovirus, and norovirus—over the past three weeks, signaling rising community circulation during peak flu season. Wastewater reflects virus presence rather than exact case counts, and the Stratus (XFG) COVID variant now accounts for about 82% of positive samples, with influenza B peaking earlier in the season.

via lawrencekstimes.com|

#covid-19 #health #influenza