Wastewater levels for COVID-19 remain high but are low for RSV and influenza.
Though many organization have published guidance on the best way forward during this COVID-19 pandemic, the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) at the University of Minnesota saw a need for recommendations based on current realities and restrictions, not on technology such as widespread testing that may one day be in place.
There was a 17% higher risk of extrasystoles, or extra heart beats, after dose one.
At 5 Massachusetts hospitals, prolonged antibiotic use was common during the first 33 months of the pandemic, despite low rates of proven bacterial infection.
Approximately 93% to 95% of these costs come from productivity losses.
Test positivity for flu rose to 25%, with emergency department visits very high and affecting all age-groups.
A higher white blood cell count was associated with greater severity of post-COVID symptoms.
COVID-19 hospitalization was twice as likely as that for flu, and death rates were 3 times higher.
In total, 5% of dogs and 13% of cats tested positive for COVID-19 on polymerase chain reaction, and 25% and 36%, respectively, had SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies.
Overall, 45.8% of COVID-19 hospital admissions and 51.2% of admissions for other respiratory viruses received at least one dose of antibiotic from March 2020 through December 2023.
The rate of antiviral prescriptions was 67% lower in pregnant than in nonpregnant women, including those with 1 or more high-risk underlying conditions.
PAHO is tracking a rise in dengue serogroup 3 activity, which could raise the risk of severe illness as countries approach the peak of the season.
The effect of financial incentives on primary and booster vaccinations was nonsignificant.
Immunocompromised participants were much more likely to have received at least four doses of COVID-19 vaccine than their otherwise healthy peers (73% vs 30%).
HHS indicated it will keep the tests in the federal stockpile until they expire.
Sixteen more pediatric flu deaths were reported, as hospitalizations and outpatient visits remain high.
These men had higher rates of shortness of breath and fatigue than those without erectile dysfunction and had higher depression/anxiety and pain/discomfort scores than before infection.
A total of 9% of placebo recipients contracted COVID-19 from a household member, compared with 3% of ensitrelvir recipients, for a 67% risk reduction.
Though hospitalizations and other markers trended lower, the CDC received reports of 17 more pediatric flu deaths.
The most common symptoms were fatigue, cough, headache, nasal congestion, and muscle pain.
No changes were found in physical health and well-being scores among kindergartners before and during the pandemic.
But they had lower rates of critical care admission.
German researchers say the answer may be in virus-reactive memory T cells, which are triggered by COVID infection.
Twelve more pediatric flu deaths were reported, mostly caused by the H1N1 strain, raising the season's total to 98.
Other trends included worrisome rises in tuberculosis, measles, and pertussis.
