Public Health

The U.S. reaches a daily average of 100,000 Covid hospitalizations for the first time since the winter peak.

Tue, 2021-08-31 11:56 — mike kraft

The daily average for hospitalized Covid-19 patients in the United States is now more than 100,000 over the last week. That average is higher than in any previous surge except last winter’s, before most Americans were eligible to get vaccinated.

The influx of patients is straining hospitals and pushing health care workers to the brink as deaths have risen to an average of more than 1,000 a day for the first time since March. The seven-day average of Covid hospitalizations peaked in mid-January with nearly 140,000 people hospitalized.

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Even with the Delta variant, the ability of COVID-19 vaccines to prevent hospitalization hasn't significantly dropped, CDC scientist says

Tue, 2021-08-31 10:01 — mike kraft

Even with the Delta variant, the ability of COVID-19 vaccines to prevent hospitalization hasn't significantly dropped, CDC scientist says Since the Delta variant appeared, vaccine effectiveness against hospitalization ranged from 75% to 95%, Dr. Sara Oliver said. Sarah Al-Arshani YahooNews

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CDC adds 7 destinations to 'very high' Covid-19 travel risk list, including Puerto Rico and Switzerland

Mon, 2021-08-30 19:34 — mike kraft

CDC adds 7 destinations to 'very high' Covid-19 travel risk list, including Puerto Rico and Switzerland | CNN Travel

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U.S. dropped from list of COVID-safe countries for travel to Europe

Mon, 2021-08-30 18:10 — mike kraft

EU drops U.S. from list of COVID-safe countries for travel | Reuters

BRUSSELS, Aug 30 (Reuters) - European Union governments agreed on Monday to remove the United States from the EU's safe travel list, meaning U.S. visitors and those from five other countries are likely to face tighter controls, such as COVID-19 tests and quarantines.

Israel, Kosovo, Lebanon, Montenegro, and North Macedonia have also been taken off. The list seeks to unify travel rules across the bloc, although it does not bind individual EU nations, which are free to determine their own border policies.

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WHO official says Covid booster jabs ‘not a luxury’ and protect the vulnerable

Mon, 2021-08-30 11:56 — mike kraft

Covid booster jabs ‘not a luxury’ and protect the vulnerable, says WHO | World Health Organization | The Guardian

A booster jab of Covid-19 vaccine for vulnerable people is not a luxury but a good way to protect them, the World Health Organization has said, as surging infection rates and a pan-European vaccination slowdown produced a “deeply worrying” situation.

“A third dose of vaccine is not a luxury booster taken away from someone who is still waiting for a first jab,” Dr Hans Kluge, the WHO’s regional director for Europe, said on Monday. “It’s basically a way to keep the most vulnerable safe.”

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Overview: Some US fast food restaurants closing indoor seating, Japanese, Australian developments

Mon, 2021-08-30 11:28 — mike kraft

What you need to know about the coronavirus right now | Reuters

-- Some U.S. fast-food restaurants are closing indoor seating areas or limiting hours of operation because of the spread of the Delta variant, according to franchisees.

McDonald’s had temporarily closed indoor dining at nearly all U.S. locations in early 2020, but it reopened 70% by last month. The global burger chain said on July 28 that it was on track to open nearly 100% by Labor Day - barring any COVID-19 resurgence.

But last week, McDonald’s instructed its franchisees on steps they should take to re-close their dining rooms in areas where the Delta variant is rapidly spreading, according to internal company materials seen by Reuters.

-- Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine contamination woes in Japan have widened with another million doses being temporarily suspended, after foreign substances were found in more batches and two people died following shots from affected lots.

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Covid surge 'deeply worrying' in Europe as vaccinations dip - WHO

Mon, 2021-08-30 10:37 — mike kraft

Covid surge 'deeply worrying' in Europe as vaccinations dip - WHO Europe could see another 236,000 deaths by December as vaccinations slow, a WHO official predicts. BBC News

Covid surge 'deeply worrying' in Europe as vaccinations dip - WHO - BBC News

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FDA sees growing pressure to authorize vaccines for children under 12

Mon, 2021-08-30 08:38 — Naomisfreeman

FDA sees growing pressure to authorize vaccines for children under 12 Pressure on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is shifting to vaccine authorization for children under 12, now that the Pfizer vaccine has been fully approved for adults. Peter Sullivan TheHill

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OPINION: Expanding the domestic public health supply chain is a matter of national security

Fri, 2021-08-27 18:05 — mike kraft

Why the U.S. needs to expand its domestic public health supply chain Expanding the domestic supply chain for public health materials will strengthen national security and improve the U.S. economy. Patrick Skerrett STAT

One of the many hard lessons learned from Covid-19 has been that a robust and resilient domestic public health industrial base is essential to the health and security of the United States.

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Gaps in CDC and states reporting data on breakthrough Covid cases hampers response

Fri, 2021-08-27 11:43 — mike kraft

Holes in reporting of breakthrough Covid cases hamper CDC response The agency originally tried to track all infections in vaccinated people, from mild to severe. But in May it decided to focus on the most severe cases. Erin Banco POLITICO

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is using outdated and unreliable data on coronavirus breakthrough infections to help make major decisions, such as who gets booster shots, according to three officials with direct knowledge of the situation.

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