COVID-19

Variant-fuels Covid-19 surge could come in weeks, but cases may decrease by summer - CNN

Wed, 2021-02-24 09:40 — mike kraft

Experts worry variant-fueled surge of Covid-19 could be weeks away but cases will likely fall again by summer Coronavirus infections across the US are still on the way down, and more Americans are getting vaccinated -- but variants could cause complications soon. Christina Maxouris, CNN CNN

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New coronavirus mutant found in California is more contagious

Wed, 2021-02-24 09:23 — mike kraft

What we know about California COVID variant B.1.427/ B.1.429 Researchers from the University of California, San Francisco, say it should be listed as a "variant of concern." Newsweek

A new coronavirus variant that was first identified in California is now taking hold in some parts of the state—but what do we currently know about it?

The variant actually comes in two forms, known as B.1.427 and B.1.429, both of which carry a similar, albeit slightly differing, set of genetic mutations—including three that affect the spike protein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

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FDA says Johnson and Johnson vaccine provides protection against Covid, a step toward final decision

Wed, 2021-02-24 09:09 — mike kraft

FDA says J&J 1-dose shot prevents COVID; final decision soon

WASHINGTON (AP) — Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose vaccine protects against COVID-19, according to an analysis by U.S. regulators Wednesday that sets the stage for a final decision on a new and easier-to-use shot to help tame the pandemic.

The Food and Drug Administration’s scientists confirmed that overall the vaccine is about 66% effective at preventing moderate to severe COVID-19. The agency also said J&J’s shot — one that could help speed vaccinations by requiring just one dose instead of two — is safe to use.

That’s just one step in the FDA’s evaluation of a third vaccine option for the U.S. On Friday, the agency’s independent advisers will debate if the evidence is strong enough to recommend the long-anticipated shot. Armed with that advice, FDA is expected to make a final decision within days. ...

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Webinar on data driven public health responses to Pandemic, Feb 24, 11 AM

Tue, 2021-02-23 19:21 — mike kraft

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Data Driven Public Health Response to Pandemics: Maximizing Disease Surveillance, Genomic Sequencing, and Epidemic Forecasting. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

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White House says weekly suplpy of vaccines to states will increrase

Tue, 2021-02-23 19:01 — mike kraft

As vaccine production ramps up, the White House announced the weekly supply for states will again increase

(New York Times) The White House said on Tuesday that weekly shipments of coronavirus vaccines to the states would rise by one million doses to 14.5 million, as vaccine manufacturers continue to ramp up production.

The figure was provided to governors in a call with Jeffrey Zeints, the president’s coronavirus response coordinator, said Jen Psaki, the White House press secretary, on Tuesday. With tens of millions of eligible Americans waiting to get shots, state officials have been clamoring for more vaccine, saying health practitioners could easily double or triple the number of shots they are administering.

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AstraZeneca to miss second-quarter EU vaccine supply target by half - EU official

Tue, 2021-02-23 18:49 — mike kraft

Exclusive: AstraZeneca to miss second-quarter EU vaccine supply target by half - EU official AstraZeneca expects to deliver less than half the COVID-19 vaccines it was contracted to supply the European Union in the second quarter, an EU official told Reuters on Tuesday. Francesco Guarascio U.S.

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Drug executives testify that big jump in vaccine supply is coming soon

Tue, 2021-02-23 18:39 — mike kraft

Drug executives: Big jump in vaccine supply is coming soon

WASHINGTON (AP) — COVID-19 vaccine makers told Congress on Tuesday to expect a big jump in the delivery of doses over the coming month, and the companies insist they will be able to provide enough for most Americans to get inoculated by summer.

By the end of March, Pfizer and Moderna expect to have provided the U.S. government with a total of 220 million vaccine doses, up sharply from the roughly 75 million shipped so far.

“We do believe we’re on track,” Moderna President Stephen Hoge said, outlining ways the company has ramped up production. “We think we’re at a very good spot.”

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Not to be sniffed at: Agony of post-COVID-19 loss of smell

Tue, 2021-02-23 12:01 — mike kraft

Researchers still investigating loss of smell problems among some of Covid victims

... A year into the coronavirus pandemic, doctors and researchers are still striving to better understand and treat the accompanying epidemic of COVID-19-related anosmia — loss of smell — draining much of the joy of life from an increasing number of sensorially frustrated longer-term sufferers like Forgione.

Even specialist doctors say there is much about the condition they still don’t know and they are learning as they go along in their diagnoses and treatments. Impairment and alteration of smell have become so common with COVID-19 that some researchers suggest that simple odor tests could be used to track coronavirus infections in countries with few laboratories.

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CDC study indicates that educators, not students, are main drivers of Covid infections in schools.

Tue, 2021-02-23 11:38 — mike kraft

Educators may be more central drivers of Covid-19 in schools than students, CDC study finds A study that found teachers -- not students -- were the probable source of several school-related Covid-19 outbreaks highlights the need to maintain mask and distancing guidelines and to prioritize teachers and school staff for vaccination, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said Monday. Christina Maxouris, CNN CNN

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Institutional investors urge a more ‘fair and equitable’ international Covid-19 response

Tue, 2021-02-23 11:22 — mike kraft

Dozens of institutional investors push for 'equitable' Covid-19 response “The economic and financial damage triggered by Covid-19 knows no border,” said Marco Morelli, executive chairman of AXA Investment Managers. Ed Silverman STAT

Nearly 150 institutional investors that oversee combined assets worth more than $14 trillion have issued a joint call for a “fair and equitable” global response to the Covid-19 pandemic, and they intend to huddle with health care companies to make progress on that goal.

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