Medical Testing

Cases of COVID-19 are on the rise – here’s how you can still get free tests COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths are on the rise heading into the fall, and although free testing isn’t as widely accessible as it once was, low- or no-cost tests may still be available. sthomas The Hill

• The COVIDtests.gov program is no longer mailing free tests to Americans
• Free tests might still be available through local clinics and insurance
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Demand for at-home Covid-19 tests is high, but don’t expect a shortage anytime soon | CNN The US is in the midst of a surge of Covid-19, with weekly hospital admissions and test positivity rates increasing, according to federal data. It should come as no surprise that some Americans say they’re having a hard time finding at-home Covid-19 tests – often the first step when someone feels ill or finds out they have been exposed to the coronavirus. Amanda Musa CNN

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Manufacturers say that a sudden increase in demand, not a slump in production, is to blame for any problems finding tests on store shelves.

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Study links blood clots to brain fog after Covid

A recent UK study suggests that blood clots in the brain or lungs may explain some of the common symptoms experienced by people with "long Covid", including brain fog and fatigue. The study, which included 1,837 people admitted to hospital due to Covid, found that two blood proteins, fibrinogen and D-dimer, were associated with cognitive problems. It is estimated that 16% of these patients experience difficulties with thinking, concentrating, or remembering for at least six months.

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WHO airs concerns about global COVID trends Meanwhile, several more BA.2.86 sequences were reported, as Moderna notes reassuring lab findings against BA.2.86 for its updated vaccine. CIDRAP

At a briefing on global health issues today, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) said there are concerning trends ahead of the Northern Hemisphere winter, including rising deaths in parts of the Middle East and Asia and increased hospitalizations in multiple regions.