Study links moderate, severe COVID-19 to chronic pain Twenty-six percent of patients with non-mild COVID-19 cases report frequent pain. CIDRAP

A moderate or severe COVID-19 infection may be a risk factor for chronic pain, according to a study published late last week in PLOS One.

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Biden administration releases intelligence on Wuhan lab The 10-page document reveals no proof of either a lab leak or an animal host. POLITICO

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. officials released an intelligence report Friday that rejected some points raised by those who argue COVID-19 leaked from a Chinese lab, instead reiterating that American spy agencies remain divided over how the pandemic began.

CDC issues warning about the first locally acquired cases of malaria in the US in 20 years | CNN The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning doctors and public health officials about a handful of locally acquired cases of malaria. There hasn’t been a case of malaria caught locally in the US in 20 years. Jen Christensen CNN

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CDC data show 31% COVID-19 vaccine protection against Omicron in nursing home residents Vaccine effectiveness among nursing home residents up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines is 31.2%, study finds. CIDRAP

Vaccine effectiveness (VE) among nursing home residents up to date on their COVID-19 vaccines is 31.2%, according to new research in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

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Reported levels of global COVID-19 decrease as XBB.1.5 seen across Europe, US CIDRAP

The World Health Organization (WHO) posted its weekly epidemiologic update yesterday on  COVID-19, which shows decreases in new cases across all global regions. All regions, except Africa, also reported decreases in deaths from the virus.

COVID-19 vaccine scheme for poorest has $2.6bn left to spend as pandemic recedes Several billions of dollars left in a scheme to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to the world’s poorest could be diverted to prepare for other pandemics or to support vaccine manufacturing in Africa, the scheme's partners said. Jennifer Rigby Reuters

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A Common Diabetes Drug May Prevent Long COVID in Some People The drug metformin cut long COVID risk by 41 percent in both people who were overweight and those with obesity. But treatments remain elusive Lucy Tu Scientific American

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Long COVID link to mental health conditions prompts federal advisory It can be challenging to determine whether mental health illness is the result of long COVID, but "treating symptoms is vital to recovery," said an advisory by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Yahoo News

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Survey: 1 in 10 health workers had suicidal thoughts early in COVID-19 CIDRAP

As many as 1 in 10 UK healthcare workers (HCWs) had suicidal thoughts during the first year of the pandemic, according to a study yesterday in PLOS One. The findings contribute to a growing body of knowledge concerning the mental health strains experienced by health professionals over the past 3 years.

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Moderna seeks US FDA authorization for updated COVID vaccine Moderna said on Thursday it has completed a submission to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration seeking authorization for its updated COVID-19 vaccine to target the XBB.1.5 subvariant. Reuters Reuters

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