Sending home COVID-positive nursing home staff means worse outcomes for patients, study says Sending nursing staff home who are mildly ill with COVID-19 could lead to unnecessary patient hospitalizations, deaths, and costs, according to a study published in JAMA Network Open. The City University of New York Medical Xpress

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New COVID Variant XEC Is Spreading in Europe. Here's What You Need to Know Experts say the variant might become dominant globally in the next few months. Fran Kritz Verywell Health

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Cognitive Impacts of COVID Equivalent to 20 Years of Brain Aging - Neuroscience News A new study reveals that 12-18 months after hospitalization for COVID-19, patients show significant cognitive decline comparable to 20 years of aging. Neuroscience News Neuroscience News

A new study reveals that 12-18 months after hospitalization for COVID-19, patients show significant cognitive decline comparable to 20 years of aging. MRI scans and blood tests also show brain injury markers and reduced brain volume in these patients. The findings suggest that COVID-19 has lasting effects on brain health, even in those without neurological complications.

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No increased risk of autism seen in pandemic-era children Children born during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic—with or without exposure to maternal infections—do not seem to be at increased risk for developing autism, according to a new study in JAMA Network Open. CIDRAP

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Why climate change means more blood shortages: Q&A with HHS’ Rachel Levine “The only way to solve this is more donations,” said HHS's Rachel Levine. Theresa Gaffney STAT

This summer, the American Red Cross declared an emergency blood shortage in the U.S. There’s a seasonal pattern to blood donations, which often dip over the summer and during the winter holidays. But experts also say that climate change disrupts the national blood supply, with extreme heat and worsening storms in certain regions keeping people away from blood banks.

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US COVID markers show more declines Wastewater levels are still high, but like other markers are showing a downward trend. CIDRAP

US COVID activity continued to decline in many areas, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said today in its latest updates. ...

Common diabetes drug linked to lower rate of long COVID Metformin is the most common type 2 diabetes drug prescribed to millions of American each year, and a new study from researchers at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) published in Diabetes Care suggests the drug can lower the risk of developing long COVID, or post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC), in diabetics. CIDRAP

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Metformin lowers blood sugar and is most commonly prescribed as a first-line treatment for type 2 diabetes. The drug also is prescribed off-label for weight loss and other metabolic conditions.

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Mpox is not under control in Africa, warns Africa CDC

Gavi to buy 500,000 mpox vaccine doses from Bavarian Nordic