Op-Ed: Immunity’s down. Infection rates are up. And what happened to everyone’s masks?
2 years ago

Op-Ed: Immunity’s down. Infection rates are up. And what happened to everyone’s masks?

LA Times  

In March 2021, a restaurant in Houston informed patrons they must mask up. This is part of a global COVID wave, being seen throughout much of Europe, South America and the Middle East and in China, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand. By four to six months after vaccination or a booster shot, there is a substantial drop-off of neutralizing antibodies and protection against hospitalization — though that protection is largely restored by a new booster shot. Notably, BQ.1.1 and another variant, XBB, are the two strains most effective at escaping our immune response, so effective that they resist all commercially available monoclonal antibodies and Evusheld, a combination antibody used to prevent the toll of infections in the immunocompromised. We’ve lost the powerful monoclonal antibodies as effective treatment backstops or for helping bolster protection for more than 7 million Americans who are immunocompromised.

Covid Infection Rate Wave Effective Booster  rate  hospitalizations  oped  infection  wave  rates  infections  booster  largely  covid  happened  effective  virus  protection  everyones  immunitys  masks

History of this topic

Covid making worrying comeback amid summer surge and Olympics infections, WHO official warns
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Covid making worrying comeback amid summer surge and Olympics infections, WHO official warns

The Independent  

Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. A top official said the number of people testing positive for Covid across 84 countries …

Olympics Sees 40-Plus COVID Cases as Global Infections Rise: WHO
4 months, 2 weeks ago

Olympics Sees 40-Plus COVID Cases as Global Infections Rise: WHO

Deccan Chronicle  

Geneva: More than 40 athletes at the Paris Olympics have tested positive for Covid-19, highlighting a new global rise in cases as vaccination coverage plunges, the World Health Organization said Tuesday. Data from 84 countries shows that the percentage of positive tests for SARS-CoV-2 -- the virus that causes Covid-19 disease -- "has been rising for several weeks", she told …

‘Still not over’: WHO cautions of COVID-19 threat ahead of summer holidays after US President Joe Biden tests positive
5 months ago

‘Still not over’: WHO cautions of COVID-19 threat ahead of summer holidays after US President Joe Biden tests positive

Live Mint  

New Delhi: With US President Joe Biden testing positive for COVID-19 before the Presidential elections, the World Health Organisation has warned the public that Covid is still not over. WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus issued a warning, stating that vaccination rates among health professionals and the over-60s—two demographics most at risk of dying from COVID—are alarmingly falling. Globally, 9.8 million …

‘Playing COVID roulette’: Some infected by FLiRT variants report their most unpleasant symptoms yet
5 months, 2 weeks ago

‘Playing COVID roulette’: Some infected by FLiRT variants report their most unpleasant symptoms yet

LA Times  

A large number of travelers make their way through Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX during the busy July 4 holiday. Each time you get COVID, he said, is “kind of like playing COVID roulette.” This underscores the need for caution during summer travel and activities, even though the overall risk remains relatively mild. and I can’t stand up for …

COVID Is Surging Right Now. Here's What Alarms Doctors The Most.
5 months, 3 weeks ago

COVID Is Surging Right Now. Here's What Alarms Doctors The Most.

Huff Post  

LOADING ERROR LOADING We don’t typically associate hot weather with viral illnesses, but COVID has thwarted that in recent years. “It seems like we’re seeing more and more states showing increased levels of activity.” Here’s what to know about the summer COVID spike: What’s up with the new FLiRT variants? If you’re wondering whether you should get another jab now …

Here are the numbers: COVID-19 is ticking up in some places, but levels remain low
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Here are the numbers: COVID-19 is ticking up in some places, but levels remain low

Associated Press  

Here’s a look at the state of COVID-19 in the U.S. as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention establishes its latest advice on vaccinations. Nearly 26,000 people died from COVID-19 in the U.S. in the week ending Jan. 9, 2021 — the highest weekly toll in the pandemic. Cases Individual COVID-19 cases are no longer tracked, but health officials …

As COVID-19 ticks up in some places, US health officials recommend a fall vaccination campaign
5 months, 3 weeks ago

As COVID-19 ticks up in some places, US health officials recommend a fall vaccination campaign

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — With fresh COVID-19 cases bubbling up in some parts of the country, health officials are setting course for a fall vaccination campaign. What’s more, health officials have reported upticks this month in COVID-19-associated emergency room visits and hospitalizations, and a pronounced increase in positive test results in the southwestern U.S. It’s not clear whether that’s a sign …

COVID Is Surging Right Now. Here's What Alarms Doctors The Most.
5 months, 4 weeks ago

COVID Is Surging Right Now. Here's What Alarms Doctors The Most.

Huff Post  

KENT NISHIMURA via Getty Images US President Joe Biden speaks during the 115th National Association for the Advancement of Colored People National Convention in in Las Vegas, Nevada, on July 16, 2024. “It seems like we’re seeing more and more states showing increased levels of activity.” Here’s what to know about the summer COVID spike: What’s up with the new …

Newest COVID shots are 54% effective in preventing symptoms, CDC finds
10 months, 3 weeks ago

Newest COVID shots are 54% effective in preventing symptoms, CDC finds

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — The latest versions of COVID-19 vaccines were 54% effective at preventing symptomatic infection in adults, according to the first U.S. study to assess how well the shots work. The 54% finding is similar to what’s been reported in other countries, and it’s also about what was reported for an earlier vaccine version, said the Ruth Link-Gelles of …

Nearly 10,000 COVID deaths reported globally last month, fueled by holiday gatherings and new variant
11 months, 2 weeks ago

Nearly 10,000 COVID deaths reported globally last month, fueled by holiday gatherings and new variant

LA Times  

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization, speaks at a news conference in Geneva last year. The head of the World Health Organization said Wednesday that holiday gatherings and the spread of the most prominent coronavirus variant globally led to increased transmission of COVID-19 last month. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said nearly 10,000 deaths were reported in December, …

Nearly 10,000 died from COVID-19 last month, fueled by holiday gatherings and new variant, WHO says
11 months, 2 weeks ago

Nearly 10,000 died from COVID-19 last month, fueled by holiday gatherings and new variant, WHO says

Associated Press  

GENEVA — The head of the U.N. health agency said Wednesday holiday gatherings and the spread of the most prominent variant globally led to increased transmission of COVID-19 last month. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said nearly 10,000 deaths were reported in December, while hospital admissions during the month jumped 42% in nearly 50 countries — mostly in Europe and the Americas …

Flu and COVID are on the rise, but there are fewer severe COVID cases than last year
11 months, 2 weeks ago

Flu and COVID are on the rise, but there are fewer severe COVID cases than last year

NPR  

Flu and COVID are on the rise, but there are fewer severe COVID cases than last year Enlarge this image toggle caption Patrick Sison/AP Patrick Sison/AP In most U.S. states, respiratory illness levels are currently "high" or "very high," according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released Friday. And while COVID levels are still higher than …

Opinion: The U.S. is facing the biggest COVID wave since Omicron. Why are we still playing make-believe?
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Opinion: The U.S. is facing the biggest COVID wave since Omicron. Why are we still playing make-believe?

LA Times  

The pandemic is far from over, as evidenced by the rapid rise to global dominance of the JN.1 variant of SARS-CoV-2. We have lost the ability to track the actual number of infections since most people either test at home or don’t even test at all, but the very high wastewater levels of the virus indicate about 2 million Americans …

More hospitals are requiring masks as flu and COVID-19 cases surge
11 months, 3 weeks ago

More hospitals are requiring masks as flu and COVID-19 cases surge

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — More U.S. hospitals are requiring masks and limiting visitors as health officials face an expected but still nasty post-holiday spike in flu, COVID-19 and other illnesses. “What we’re seeing right now, in the first week of January, is really an acceleration — of flu cases, in particular,” said Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the Centers for Disease …

Covid-19 vaccination rate is ‘lower than we’d like to see,’ CDC says
1 year, 1 month ago

Covid-19 vaccination rate is ‘lower than we’d like to see,’ CDC says

CNN  

CNN — Respiratory virus season is ramping up across the United States, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning that low vaccination rates are leaving many at risk. There are a number of reasons why it’s important for people to get the latest Covid-19 vaccine, CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen told CNN. “COVID-19 vaccines don’t prevent …

Top medical experts shoot down calls for hated mask mandates to be reintroduced before Christmas as as eighth Covid wave hits Australia
1 year, 1 month ago

Top medical experts shoot down calls for hated mask mandates to be reintroduced before Christmas as as eighth Covid wave hits Australia

Daily Mail  

Calls to reintroduce the widely-disliked mask mandates because of the recently increasing number of Covid cases have been rejected by leading medical experts. On Wednesday, Australian Medical Association Queensland president Maria Boulton said people should wear masks in large crowds, on planes and in medical settings to slow the spread of Covid before Christmas. Calls to reintroduce mask mandates before …

2% of kids and 7% of adults have gotten the new COVID shots, US data show
1 year, 1 month ago

2% of kids and 7% of adults have gotten the new COVID shots, US data show

Associated Press  

NEW YORK — A month after federal officials recommended new versions of COVID-19 vaccines, 7% of U.S. adults and 2% of children have gotten a shot. One expert called the rates “abysmal.” The numbers, presented Thursday at a meeting held by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, come from a national survey of thousands of Americans, conducted two weeks …

Biden says new Covid vaccines are 'likely' to be recommended to EVERY American this fall - including children - amid upswing in infections
1 year, 3 months ago

Biden says new Covid vaccines are 'likely' to be recommended to EVERY American this fall - including children - amid upswing in infections

Daily Mail  

President Biden said he will recommend that everyone gets one President Biden has said his Administration will 'likely' recommend that all Americans roll up their sleeves for an updated Covid booster vaccine this fall. Biden said today that he had signed off a proposal to present to Congress for extra funding for updated Covid vaccines that will be 'likely recommended' …

Even cautious experts say don't panic over new Covid wave: CDC admits US in 'strongest place' ever in pandemic - while the World Health Organization says world is in 'a different phase' now
1 year, 3 months ago

Even cautious experts say don't panic over new Covid wave: CDC admits US in 'strongest place' ever in pandemic - while the World Health Organization says world is in 'a different phase' now

Daily Mail  

Global and US health chiefs have urged calm over rising Covid cases and new variants, pointing out that virtually everyone now has immunity against the virus. On Thursday, Dr Marion Koopmans — a virologist who advises the World Health Organization — said the world was now in a 'different phase' of the pandemic due to higher levels of immunity from …

New Covid wave has begun in UK and masks should be worn again, warn scientists
1 year, 4 months ago

New Covid wave has begun in UK and masks should be worn again, warn scientists

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. open image in gallery Rates have risen since early July Prof Pagel predicted the …

COVID-19 is ‘heating up all around’ this summer. Should we be wearing masks again?
1 year, 4 months ago

COVID-19 is ‘heating up all around’ this summer. Should we be wearing masks again?

LA Times  

The uptick in coronavirus transmission this summer has not brought major alarm from health experts. There are people who may want to avoid contracting COVID-19 “because it’s disruptive to life.” Chin-Hong said he’s aware of people who’ve had to change big travel plans to Europe and Africa because of illness. And even if you don’t choose to mask up, “definitely …

COVID-19 data shows early signs of an increase in cases
1 year, 5 months ago

COVID-19 data shows early signs of an increase in cases

Salon  

Emerging data suggests that COVID-19 cases in the U.S. are on the rise again for the first time since January 2023, though the uptick is relatively small so far. Overall, COVID cases have been on a steep decline since January, but available data shows this trend is starting to reverse. Elsewhere in the world, many countries are also enduring prolonged …

US ends COVID-19 health emergency today: Key figures defining the pandemic
1 year, 7 months ago

US ends COVID-19 health emergency today: Key figures defining the pandemic

Firstpost  

Though daily life has long returned to near-normal for many in the United States, the official end of the COVID-19 health emergency Thursday night still marks a new post-pandemic era for the country. Three years of health emergency A state of emergency was first declared in the United States in January 2020, more than three years ago. 1.1 million deaths …

Andhra Pradesh: We better mask up as COVID-19 cases rise
1 year, 8 months ago

Andhra Pradesh: We better mask up as COVID-19 cases rise

The Hindu  

It’s ironic that most of us no longer follow COVID precautions like wearing masks even though COVID-19 cases are on the rise in the country. However, the increasing number of cases in other States, the fatalities reported in a few States, calls for adherence to COVID-19 protocols like wearing masks, observing social distancing and frequent sanitisation of hands, opine doctors …

Reasons Behind The Recent Surge in Covid-19 Cases Across States
1 year, 8 months ago

Reasons Behind The Recent Surge in Covid-19 Cases Across States

News 18  

A total of 5,335 Covid-19 cases were in the last 24 hours till 8am on Thursday, as per the official data from the Union Health Ministry. It was 20% higher than the total number of cases reported on April 5 and marked the highest daily surge since September 2022. Srinath Reddy, former president of the Public Health Foundation of India, …

Ramp up Covid testing to stay alert: Centre to states
1 year, 8 months ago

Ramp up Covid testing to stay alert: Centre to states

Hindustan Times  

The Union government on Saturday directed states to increase testing for Covid-19 as per the World Health Organization’s guidelines to effectively check any increase in its spread, people familiar with the matter said. “In the past several weeks, in some states Covid-19 testing has declined and the current testing levels are insufficient as compared to the standards prescribed by WHO,” …

Masks made little or no difference in Covid-19 spread, new study suggests
1 year, 10 months ago

Masks made little or no difference in Covid-19 spread, new study suggests

India TV News  

A new review led by 12 researchers from universities around the world has examined whether wearing face masks helped prevent the spread of Covid-19. According to the study published by the Cochrane Library, "Wearing masks in the community probably makes little or no difference" in controlling the spread of Covid-19. However, it's important to note that the review included studies …

The covert winter wave of Covid-19
1 year, 11 months ago

The covert winter wave of Covid-19

BBC  

The covert winter wave of Covid-19 Getty Images The coronavirus that caused the pandemic has largely vanished from public discourse – but it's still causing deaths. "We've come to really pay attention when there are very large spikes," says Denis Nash, an epidemiologist at the City University of New York. "The people we’re seeing hospitalised tend to be those who …

Fourth Covid vaccine unwarranted right now but increased surveillance needed: experts
1 year, 11 months ago

Fourth Covid vaccine unwarranted right now but increased surveillance needed: experts

Deccan Chronicle  

NEW DELHI: Several countries are administering a third and even fourth Covid booster shot but India, where many fully vaccinated individuals have not taken even one, is not there yet, say experts while stressing on the need for a structured and systematic response. If that infection did not trigger enough Omicron-specific immunity none of the vaccines currently available in India …

Explained | What is the threat from global COVID-19 rise?
2 years ago

Explained | What is the threat from global COVID-19 rise?

The Hindu  

The story so far: The Union Ministry of Health has issued a communique to States to resume genome sequencing of new cases of COVID-19, in view of the sudden spurt of cases in some parts of the world. In a letter, Union Health Secretary Rajesh Bhushan said sequencing of positive case samples will allow the Indian SARS-CoV-2 Genomics Consortium network …

Govt advises caution, masks; says don’t panic over Covid
2 years ago

Govt advises caution, masks; says don’t panic over Covid

Hindustan Times  

People should wear masks in crowded places and states must keep a closer watch on new Covid-19 cases, especially those that crop up in unusual clusters, top government officials said on Wednesday as the administration held a pandemic situation review in light of the spike in cases in several countries, particularly China. In the last week, the country reported a …

Wear Masks In Crowded Places, Get Precaution Doses: Govt Advises Amid Covid Surge In China
2 years ago

Wear Masks In Crowded Places, Get Precaution Doses: Govt Advises Amid Covid Surge In China

ABP News  

As the surge in Covid cases once again makes it to the news, the government, after a review meeting to access the situation, has advised people to wear masks in crowded places to prevent the spread of the infection. This is all the more important for people with comorbidities or are of higher age," VK Paul, Member-Health, NITI Aayog said …

Photos: China sees a rise in Covid cases following the easing of curbs
2 years ago

Photos: China sees a rise in Covid cases following the easing of curbs

Hindustan Times  

Photos: China sees a rise in Covid cases following the easing of curbs Since China announced the rollback of its zero-Covid policy, Reuters has reported a rise in Covid-19 cases among a vulnerable, under vaccinated population with little natural immunity. It is believed that the end to mandatory testing has made the toll of China's Covid surge difficult to track.. …

NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn't happen this week
2 years ago

NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn't happen this week

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. The article suggests that these …

As COVID-19 spikes in California, booster shots could make all the difference
2 years ago

As COVID-19 spikes in California, booster shots could make all the difference

LA Times  

With coronavirus cases and hospitalizations rising in Los Angeles County, officials are voicing new confidence in the effectiveness of the updated COVID-19 booster shot. New data has found that the updated COVID-19 vaccines offer “significant additional protection” against symptomatic infection in people who were previously vaccinated or boosted with the older formula. “We have seen very low uptake of the …

The more pandemic precautions fall away, the more COVID risk is concentrated on this one group
2 years ago

The more pandemic precautions fall away, the more COVID risk is concentrated on this one group

LA Times  

For Filipino Americans like Giancarlo Santos, holiday parties are typically a free-for-all of revelry, with friends and family spilling into every corner of the house, and Christmas decorations twinkling everywhere. In late October, when the polling organization Morning Consult gauged Americans’ concern over COVID-19, only 11% said they considered it a “severe health risk” within their communities. But for patients …

Vaccinated people now make majority of COVID deaths in US: Report
2 years, 1 month ago

Vaccinated people now make majority of COVID deaths in US: Report

India TV News  

In a startling revelation, a Washington Post analysis has found that more vaccinated people are now dying of the Covid disease and 58 per cent of coronavirus deaths in August in the US "were people who were vaccinated or boosted". The death among vaccinated people is increasing due to the waning efficacy of Covid vaccines and "increasingly contagious strains of …

Covid vaccination proof still required to enter America in 2023
2 years, 1 month ago

Covid vaccination proof still required to enter America in 2023

Daily Mail  

It directly contradicts CDC docs treating unvaccinated and vaccinated the same The US is one of the last countries to hold on to the rule, alongside China The TSA has extended the rule until at least January 8 2023 for all travelers Travelers flying into the United States will still need proof of Covid vaccination in 2023 — making the …

No surge expected in global COVID-19 cases this winter, says IHME report
2 years, 1 month ago

No surge expected in global COVID-19 cases this winter, says IHME report

The Hindu  

Global COVID-19 infections are projected to rise slowly to about 18.7 million average daily cases by February next year from the current 16.7 million daily driven by the northern hemisphere’s winter months, the University of Washington said in an analysis. IHME estimates that daily infections in the United States will increase by a third to more than a million, driven …

No Covid restrictions needed yet, Health Min. says as vaccinations open to everyone 12+
2 years, 2 months ago

No Covid restrictions needed yet, Health Min. says as vaccinations open to everyone 12+

NL Times  

Companies and organizations don’t have to take measures against the coronavirus yet but are free to do so if they wish. People between the ages of 40 and 60 can make an appointment next week, and “in principle the week after,” everyone from 12 to 40 can do so, Kuipers said. But according to Kuipers, it is ‘not yet necessary …

WHO says new COVID-19 wave emerging in Europe
2 years, 2 months ago

WHO says new COVID-19 wave emerging in Europe

Al Jazeera  

UN agency’s regional data show only Europe with an increase in coronavirus cases in the week that ended October 2 as infections rose 8 percent from the week before. “Although we are not where we were one year ago, it is clear that the COVID-19 pandemic is still not over,” the WHO’s Europe director, Hans Kluge, and the ECDC’s director, …

How a fresh Covid surge in the UK could be a warning sign for US
2 years, 2 months ago

How a fresh Covid surge in the UK could be a warning sign for US

Daily Mail  

An autumn Covid resurgence in the UK has fueled concerns that the US could be on course for another wave. The US' Covid situation has mirrored Britain's several times in the past — inthe Alpha wave it followed the surge two weeks later on October 14, and in the Omicron wave it also followed about two weeks later on December …

Don't ditch those masks! New COVID surge in U.K. shows what's waiting for us this fall
2 years, 2 months ago

Don't ditch those masks! New COVID surge in U.K. shows what's waiting for us this fall

Raw Story  

I don't know what it's like in your neck of the woods, but here in our small town on the edge of the Poconos, fall is finally here. COVID numbers are as hard to find as people wearing masks in the supermarket, even though health care experts say the current statistics are likely a "massive underestimate," according to U.S. News, …

Op-Ed: No, Mr. President, the pandemic isn’t over
2 years, 3 months ago

Op-Ed: No, Mr. President, the pandemic isn’t over

LA Times  

On “60 Minutes” on Sunday, President Biden declared “the pandemic is over.” Well into our third year of battling COVID-19, we all wish that were true. There have been more than 2 million confirmed new COVID infections in the last month, and considering the untested and unreported cases, the real number is a multiple of that, most probably at least …

New Zealand ends most Covid restrictions as pandemic worry eases
2 years, 3 months ago

New Zealand ends most Covid restrictions as pandemic worry eases

India Today  

New Zealand scrapped mask wearing rules and vaccine mandates on Monday, bringing an end to some of the toughest Covid-19 pandemic rules in the world about two years after they were put in place. Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said in a weekly news conference that it was time to safely turn the page on the country's Covid-19 management and live …

EXPLAINER: Is COVID-19 winding down? Scientists say no.
2 years, 3 months ago

EXPLAINER: Is COVID-19 winding down? Scientists say no.

Associated Press  

Is the coronavirus on its way out? Topol said the virus “just has too many ways to work around our current strategies, and it’ll just keep finding people, finding them again, and self-perpetuating.” HOW WILL THE VIRUS MUTATE? “Every time we think we’ve seen the peak transmission, peak immune escape properties, the virus exceeds that by another significant notch,” Topol …

Is COVID-19 winding down? Scientists say no
2 years, 3 months ago

Is COVID-19 winding down? Scientists say no

LA Times  

Vials of Pfizer’s bivalent COVID-19 vaccine are seen on a production line at a manufacturing facility in Kalamazoo, Mich. Is the coronavirus on its way out? Still, living with COVID-19 “should not necessarily be a scary or bad concept,” since people are getting better at fighting it, Jha said during a recent question-and-answer session with U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders. Topol …

COVID-19 update: Cases rise globally, WHO chief warns against dropping guards
2 years, 4 months ago

COVID-19 update: Cases rise globally, WHO chief warns against dropping guards

Live Mint  

Amid the rise in COVID-19 case in past few weeks across the globe, WHO chief Dr Tedros Ghebreyesus warned against dropping guards and said that this does not mean that 'we pretend it’s not there'. But the virus is not tired of us,” the World Health Organization chief said. In a message to the world, the WHO chief - in …

Column: Do we get our lives back now, or are we going back down the COVID hole?
2 years, 4 months ago

Column: Do we get our lives back now, or are we going back down the COVID hole?

LA Times  

Los Angeles County Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer has been warning Angelenos that a new mask mandate may be necessary. The result, says The Times, is a “palpable disconnect between alarmed scientists and health officials focused solely on the infectiousness and mutations of the virus and a public that is increasingly less concerned.” This week L.A. County officials will decide …

Discover Related