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Healthcare workers' depression increased in second year of pandemic

… rate rose to 22% by spring 2021. Infectious disease topics COVID-19 Byline Stephanie Soucheray, MA Body A study today of … a prospective cohort study evaluating the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of HCWs in 26 … women), 22% had moderate to severe depression. Stress, COVID care, patient death tied to depression "This change was …
Stephanie Soucheray
distressed surgeon
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133

Episode 133: No Simple Answers

In this episode, Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall discuss national and international COVID trends, a study on metformin and long COVID incidence, and the use of N95 respirators for protection against wildfire smoke. Dr. Osterholm also answers a COVID query on booster doses and shares a moment of joy from one of our listeners.

    Outpatient treatment of COVID-19 and incidence of post-COVID-19 condition over 10 months (COVID-OUT): a multicentre, randomised, quadruple-blind, parallel-group, phase 3 trial (Bramante et al., Lancet Infectious Disease)
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June 15, 2023

Paxlovid protects against hospital care, death, especially in older patients, data show

… Medicine that looked at outcomes of 703,647 patients with COVID-19 seen at 34 US clinics in 2022 and 2023 found that … from Paxlovid when administered within 5 days of COVID-19 infection confirmation, the authors said. But … White patients.   The study was based on the National COVID Cohort Collaborative’s (N3C) electronic health record …
Stephanie Soucheray

Flu levels in US continue to decline, but more kids' deaths confirmed

… influenza A and two from influenza B. Low levels of flu, COVID, RSV in wastewater Meanwhile, COVID-19 levels also continue to decline from already low … the South. The rate of overall deaths that were caused by COVID last week was 0.8% (down slightly from 0.9%), similar …
Jim Wappes

CDC urges people to get respiratory disease vaccines, notes MIS-C rise in kids

… of an urgent need to increase vaccine coverage for flu, COVID-19, and RSV. Infectious disease topics COVID-19 Influenza Vaccines Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) … of an urgent need to increase vaccine coverage for flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) against a …
Lisa Schnirring
Girl in hospital getting respiratory support

Study suggests vaccination plays role in making Omicron waves less severe

… less severe Teaser image Teaser text More than 1 million COVID-19 cases were confirmed in Hong Kong when Omicron swept … largely immune-naïve population. Infectious disease topics COVID-19 Byline Stephanie Soucheray, MA Body A new analysis … was largely successful in suppressing mass infection with COVID-19. By the end of 2021, only 1% of the Hong Kong …
Stephanie Soucheray
COVID patient

Respiratory infections show post-Thanksgiving bump

… flu activity causing decade-high hospitalization rates, COVID-19 markers are also climbing. Infectious disease topics COVID-19 Influenza, General Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) … flu activity causing decade-high hospitalization rates, COVID-19 markers are also rising following the Thanksgiving …
Lisa Schnirring
Vaccine vial and syringe

US respiratory illness levels still high but showing some signs of reprieve

… again after the holiday period. Infectious disease topics COVID-19 Influenza, General Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) … levels, showed declines. In its latest updates for COVID-19 , flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), the … the winter holidays have slowed, with decreases noted for COVID-19 and continuing declines in RSV activity in some …
Lisa Schnirring
sick boy snow

'A failure of border control': Restrictions didn't stop SARS-CoV-2 from flying to UK

… for SARS-CoV-2 genetic material. Infectious disease topics COVID-19 Byline Mary Van Beusekom, MS Body SARS-CoV-2 genetic … international airports in the United Kingdom, despite COVID-19 travel restrictions in place during that time, … with requirements to wear a mask and show a negative COVID-19 test before departure, which were lifted in England …
Mary Van Beusekom
Airplane toilet

Celebrity tweets swayed US public opinion toward pandemic efforts, study suggests

… negative US public attitudes toward efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study published this week … researchers analyzed the sentiments of more than 45,000 COVID-related tweets from 34,000 unique users from January to … Trump, Ted Cruz, and Ron DeSantis. Messages downplayed COVID risks While sentiments varied slightly, the researchers …
Mary Van Beusekom

US cancer screenings slow to recover from initial pandemic dip

… slow to recover from initial pandemic dip Body As the COVID-19 pandemic took hold in the United States in February … as many healthcare facilities dealt with surges of COVID-19 patients, and patients in general avoided elective … Interference with cancer screening by periodic surges in COVID-19 infections is a continuing problem. Low income and …
Mary Van Beusekom

Viewpoint: RFK's reckless firing of CDC vaccine advisers not supported by evidence

… a pattern of misrepresentation. Infectious disease topics COVID-19 Anti-science Vaccine Integrity Project Body … present the newest scientific evidence), Kennedy rescinded COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for children and pregnant … and ideology appear to have shaped the document. Titled " COVID Recommendation FAQ ," it alternates between flat-out …
Vaccine Integrity Project Staff and Advisers
Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices

Few Americans concerned about upcoming respiratory virus season

… disease topics Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) COVID-19 Influenza Vaccines Influenza, General Byline … said less than 1 in 5 Americans are concerned about flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as the nation … viral season.   Furthermore, despite a summer surge in COVID activity and last year’s 199 pediatric flu deaths, only …
Stephanie Soucheray
flu shot
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162

Episode 162: Class is Not Dismissed

In "Class is Not Dismissed," Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall review the latest trends in COVID-19 and discuss new human cases of H5N1 influenza. Dr. Osterholm also answers an ID Query on Paxlovid eligibility and shares his perspective on timing the next dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Risk of long COVID has ebbed during pandemic, mostly thanks to vaccines, new data reveal (CIDRAP News)

How a hotel convention became ground zero for this deadly bacteria (PBS News)

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July 25, 2024

Need for Paxlovid in poor countries far outstripped supplies in 2022, report says

… Commons In 2022, the number of people with high-risk COVID-19 infections in low- and middle-income countries … the US International Trade Commission report  on access to COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics subject to World Trade … The report may help guide US deliberations on exempting COVID-19 treatments and tests from some WTO procedural …
Mary Van Beusekom

US respiratory virus activity remains low ahead of holiday season

… of holiday season Teaser image Teaser text With flu and COVID levels still low but expected to rise, the CDC said … disease topics Influenza, General Influenza Vaccines COVID-19 Pneumonia Pertussis Respiratory Syncytial Virus … activity remained low in the United States last week, with COVID levels continuing to decline, but respiratory syncytial …
Lisa Schnirring
thanksgiving prep

Ambulance personnel felt high stress during pandemic

… about infecting family members. Infectious disease topics COVID-19 Byline Stephanie Soucheray, MA Body In a study this … as 92.2% felt a psychological burden while working during COVID-19. The study adds to a growing body of literature on … rates of distress, PTSD and insomnia compared to the pre-COVID-19 era," the authors said. The prevalence of …
Stephanie Soucheray
ambulance

Review of US vaccine injury reimbursement program shows less than 3% of claims eligible for compensation

… countermeasure injury compensation claims—primarily about COVID and flu vaccines—reveals that, during the first few years of the COVID-19 pandemic, claims spiked to 27 times the typical … for compensation. About half of the claims were related to COVID vaccination. The vast majority of money paid for …
Jim Wappes

Study: Paxlovid safe, effective in pregnancy

… for the group taking Paxlovid. Infectious disease topics COVID-19 Byline Stephanie Soucheray, MA Body A study based on … and ritonavir (Paxlovid) during pregnancy for acute COVID-19 infections shows no increased risk of adverse events … pregnancy and is effective in reducing MMMI risk but not COVID-related hospitalizations. Adverse events 3 times lower …
Stephanie Soucheray
pregnant dr

During pandemic, ivermectin use rose 10-fold, hydroxychloroquine use doubled, study reveals

… higher in southern states. Infectious disease topics COVID-19 Byline Stephanie Soucheray, MA Body US outpatient … and ivermectin, two unproven treatments touted as COVID-19 treatments during the pandemic, doubled and … excess of 2019 prescribing rates and were categorized as COVID-19–associated. "When this number is extrapolated to the …
Stephanie Soucheray
ivermectin

Infectious disease specialists lament 'chaos' of recent ACIP meeting

… disease topics Adult (non-flu) Vaccines Childhood Vaccines COVID-19 Byline Chris Dall, MA Body Experts with the … were what the committee's recommendations on updated COVID-19 vaccines will mean for access to the shots. The … in the United States, or to change the recommendations for COVID-19 vaccines," she said. Chu also said the discussions …
Chris Dall
Vaccine syringe and vial
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135

Episode 135: More to Learn

In this episode, Dr. Osterholm and Chris Dall discuss recent studies on the neurologic effects of COVID-19, the newly approved RSV vaccine, and locally acquired malaria cases in Florida and Texas.

    Studies add to picture of how COVID can affect the brain long term (Van Beusekom, CIDRAP News)
    Elise's moment of joy
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July 13, 2023

CIDRAP Op-Ed: Vaccine effectiveness and safety: What the numbers truly mean in 2025

… advisory processes falter. Infectious disease topics COVID-19 Influenza Vaccines Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) … Public Health Body This week, our systematic review of COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and influenza … stories, depending on which virus we're addressing.  COVID vaccines operate in populations with complex …
Jake Scott, MD
Doctors analyzing data

Survey: Adults dropped from Medicaid after pandemic faced healthcare access, affordability issues

… during than before the pandemic. Infectious disease topics COVID-19 Byline Mary Van Beusekom, MS Body  A survey of … that nearly half of those disenrolled from Medicaid after COVID-19 pandemic protections ended had no insurance in late … 2022. In 2023, states rechecked Medicaid eligibility after COVID-19 governmental protections expired, disenrolling …
Mary Van Beusekom
Receiving big medical bill

US flu activity picks up a little more pace

… activity continues to slowly increase and that it expects COVID activity to rise in the coming weeks. Respiratory … pneumonia”) remain elevated in young children. In COVID-specific updates, the CDC said COVID activity remains low. Wastewater SARS-CoV-2 detections …
Lisa Schnirring

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