Sending home COVID-positive nursing home staff means worse outcomes for patients, study says Sending nursing staff home who are mildly ill with COVID-19 could lead to unnecessary patient hospitalizations, deaths, and costs, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. The City University of New York Medical Xpress

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New COVID Variant XEC Is Spreading in Europe. Here's What You Need to Know Experts say the variant might become dominant globally in the next few months. Fran Kritz Verywell Health

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COVID map update reveals states where cases are still climbing States that once had the lowest rates have seen infections soar as the distribution of COVID-19 cases changes across the country. Newsweek

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New data released by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that the highest rates of infection are found in four Central states, with 1 in 5 COVID-19 tests coming out positive in these regions. Meanwhile, the most significant rise in cases has been seen in the Northeast.

Cognitive Impacts of COVID Equivalent to 20 Years of Brain Aging - Neuroscience News A new study reveals that 12-18 months after hospitalization for COVID-19, patients show significant cognitive decline comparable to 20 years of aging. Neuroscience News Neuroscience News

A new study reveals that 12-18 months after hospitalization for COVID-19, patients show significant cognitive decline comparable to 20 years of aging. MRI scans and blood tests also show brain injury markers and reduced brain volume in these patients. The findings suggest that COVID-19 has lasting effects on brain health, even in those without neurological complications.

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No increased risk of autism seen in pandemic-era children Children born during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic—with or without exposure to maternal infections—do not seem to be at increased risk for developing autism, according to a new study in JAMA Network Open. CIDRAP

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Why climate change means more blood shortages: Q&A with HHS’ Rachel Levine “The only way to solve this is more donations,” said HHS's Rachel Levine. Theresa Gaffney STAT

This summer, the American Red Cross declared an emergency blood shortage in the U.S. There’s a seasonal pattern to blood donations, which often dip over the summer and during the winter holidays. But experts also say that climate change disrupts the national blood supply, with extreme heat and worsening storms in certain regions keeping people away from blood banks.

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Free COVID-19 tests are coming back for fall 2024. Here's how to get them. The government has already disbursed more than 900 million free at-home COVID-19 tests, and will be reopening its free test kit portal. CBS News

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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the program, has not yet said when it will start taking orders again for the at-home COVID-19 tests through the COVIDTests.gov website. It only instructs visitors to "come back to place your order in late September 2024."

Climate change could triple U.S. heat deaths by mid-century, experts warn If global warming is left largely unchecked, the number of Americans who succumb to extreme heat will triple by mid-century, new projections estimate. Ernie Mundell Medical Xpress

If global warming is left largely unchecked, the number of Americans who succumb to extreme heat will triple by mid-century, new projections estimate.

These deaths could affect poor and minority Americans much more than the white and better-off, according to a team led by Dr. Sameed Khatana of the University of Pennsylvania.

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Only 45% of Americans age 50 and older say they're likely to get the updated COVID-19 vaccine this season, according to a poll today from the University of Michigan. 

The poll shows many at high risk of severe illness appear unlikely to seek the vaccine, and interest in an updated vaccine varies widely by age-group, education level, and other factors.

The results come from the National Poll on Healthy Aging conducted in August. At the time of polling, new COVID vaccines were not yet widely available, but they had been approved for use and endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

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