Situation Report

COVID-19 caused 21% excess of respiratory infections last winter, analysis finds Adults aged 30 to 39 years had the highest cumulative incidence, with 208 infections per 100 people. CIDRAP

A new study based on German data shows that SARS-CoV-2 caused a 21% excess of acute respiratory infections (ARIs) during the winter of 2022-23. The study was published this week in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases and suggests COVID-19 will add a significant burden during cold and flu seasons. 

2023 was a record year for wind installations as world ramps up clean energy, report says The world installed 117 gigawatts of new wind power capacity in 2023, a 50% increase from the year before, making it the best year for new wind projects on record, according to a new report by the industry’s trade association. AP News

...

The increase in wind installations “shows that the world is moving in the right direction in combating climate change,” the report said.

Bogus 'tax service specialists' duped business owners in latest Covid relief debacle, IRS says IRS officials say the Employee Retention Tax Credit program has been a magnet for unscrupulous promoters who filed a “tsunami of bad claims.” NBC News

...

Congress said the Employee Retention Tax Credit would cost around $55 billion, but new estimates put the cost at $250 billion, and claims are still pouring in...

Many healthcare workers unsure about COVID vaccine boosters for themselves, kids A survey of more than 4,100 healthcare personnel (HCP) at a New York healthcare system from 2021 to 2022 reveals that 17% were hesitant to receive the recommended COVID-19 vaccine booster, and 33% were unsure about vaccinating their children.  CIDRAP

...

Many of the HCP polled held unsubstantiated beliefs not only about COVID vaccines but also childhood vaccines.

...