COVID-19 metrics trend down across US Verin Makcharoen/iStock CIDRAP

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in its weekly update on COVID-19 activity, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said several markers of the virus were trending downward, including emergency department visits and test positivity.

Test positivity from September 24 to September 30 was 10.9%, down 1.2% from the previous week, and emergency department visits dropped to 1.6%, down 14.5% from the previous week. Deaths, however, while still at low levels, were up 3.8%.

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This 'genius' engineer reframed the way we think about the pandemic : Goats and Soda : NPR

UK researchers find evidence of ‘long cold’ syndrome Research published Friday shows various acute respiratory infections, such as pneumonia, influenza and the common cold, may present with long-term symptoms, similar to COVID-19. “Long cold” symptom… nrobertson The Hill

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“Long cold” symptoms could linger for up to four weeks in some cases, much like “long COVID,” the UK-based researchers said.

UNICEF: 43.1 million children displaced by climate-exacerbated disasters over 6 years - UPI.com UNICEF on Friday said that natural disasters exacerbated by climate change have forced millions of children out of their homes in the past six years with the total expected to double in the coming decades. UPI

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It's the last day of the largest health care strike in US history | CNN Business The largest health care strike in US history is now in its third, and final, day. Samantha Delouya CNN

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The temporary work stoppage will end at 6 am Pacific Time on Saturday morning, concluding a massive labor effort involving more than 75,000 health care workers and spanning four states.

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September sizzled to records and was so much warmer than average scientists call it 'mind-blowing' After a record-smashing hot summer, Earth's warming somehow got even worse in September. The European climate agency says temperatures last month set a new mark for how far above normal they hit. AP News

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Nursing schools are turning away thousands of applicants during a major nursing shortage. Here's why | CNN Business At a time when registered nurses are going on strike to protest staffing shortages, thousands of applicants who want to enter or advance in the profession are being turned away from nursing schools. Tami Luhby CNN

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How Bad Will This Respiratory Virus Season Be? CDC Weighs In. Agency officials also outlined recommendations for COVID, RSV, and influenza vaccines Shannon Firth medpagetoday

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"The bottom line here is we're likely to have a similar number of total hospitalizations as we had last year," Dylan George, PhD, director of the CDC's Center for Forecasting and Outbreak Analytics, told reporters during a webinar on Wednesday.

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Why the new COVID shot is a game-changer (and why the term ‘booster’ is obsolete) The latest vaccine formula is available in local pharmacies now. Experts say it will be like the annual flu shot: one and done. Here’s why. Science

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