About half of those with compromised sense of smell during acute phase had not regained sense of smell at average of 150.1 days postdiagnosis
Symptoms ID’d That Should Trigger COVID-19 Testing
Testing people with any of seven key symptoms in the first three days of illness would detect 96 percent of symptomatic cases
Pfizer, Moderna Tell Congress a Big Jump in Vaccine Supply Is Coming
By end of March, Pfizer and Moderna expect to have delivered a total of 220 million vaccine doses to the U.S. government
Non-White Race Tied to Higher Likelihood of COVID-19 Infection
Age, not race, most important contributing factor for outcomes
COVID-19 Vaccines Adapted to Fight Variants Will Not Require Long Clinical Trials: FDA
Most makers of approved COVID-19 vaccines have said they plan to adapt their vaccines to tackle variants
Predictors of Death, Discharge ID’d for Diabetes Patients With COVID-19
Younger age, routine metformin therapy, and longer symptom duration on admission positively linked to discharge
FDA: New Variants Mean COVID-19 Vaccines, Tests May Need Tweaking
Agency offers recommendations for companies seeking to modify already-approved vaccines, medicines, and tests so they can remain effective
FDA Warns Not to Rely on Pulse Oximetry for Diagnosis, Treatment Decisions
Safety communication follows NEJM study showing risk for inaccuracy with use of pulse oximeters in those with dark skin pigmentation
Transplant Recipient Dies After Receiving COVID-19-Infected Lungs
Surgeon who handled the donor lungs also became infected and fell ill but recovered
CDC Report Shows No Evidence of Unexpected Adverse Events With COVID-19 Vaccines
Findings from the first month show no unexpected adverse events, with 6,994 adverse events and >90 percent classified as nonserious
Expanded Collaboration to Advance New Therapeutics for Respiratory Viruses
Vir Biotechnology, Inc. and GlaxoSmithKline plc (GSK) announced an agreement to expand their existing collaboration to include the research and development of new therapies for influenza and other respiratory viruses.
COVID-19’s Mortality Risk 3.5 Times Greater Than the Flu
A recent study published by the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ) found that the risk of death from COVID-19 was 3.5 times higher than from the seasonal flu.
"We can now say that COVID-19 is much more severe than seasonal influenza," said Dr. Amol Verma, St. Michael's Hospital, Unity Health Toronto, and the University of Toronto, in a press statement.
Intranasal Flu Shot Candidate Spurs Strong Immune Response
An experimental single-dose, intranasal influenza vaccine candidate, was found safe and produced a durable immune response when tested in a Phase 1 study, announced the National Institutes of Health.
This study was sponsored by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation on February 2, 2021.
Fewest Flu-Related Hospitalizations Reported in Nine Years
Seasonal influenza activity in the USA remains lower than usual for this time of year, says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The CDC also reported the number of influenza-associated hospitalizations is lower than average for this point in the 2020-2021 flu season and are ‘comparable to counts seen at this point during the 2011-12 season.’
And the CDC’s new weekly report (#50) confirmed since September 27, 2020, only (0.2%) of virus species tested were found infected with influenza. Of those found, 56.9 percent were identified as Influenza A.
Fewest Flu-Related Hospitalizations in Nine Years
The seasonal influenza activity remained lower than usual for this time of year, said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
The CDC also reported the number of influenza-associated hospitalizations is lower than normal for this time of year and is ‘comparable to counts last seen during the 2011-12 season.’
And the CDC’s new weekly report (#50) confirmed since September 27, 2020, only (0.2%) of virus species tested were found infected with influenza. Of those found, 56.9 percent were identified as Influenza A.
Five Good Reasons to Get a Flu Vaccine
As influenza viruses spread this flu season, getting an influenza vaccination is more important than ever, stated the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on December 7, 2020.
According to various reports, about 190 million vaccines were produced for the USA this flu season.
The CDC strongly encourages everyone to discuss their flu vaccine options with a healthcare provider.
The CDC identified five reasons why you should get a flu shot:
Benefits Confirmed of Adjuvanted Seasonal Influenza Vaccines
A systematic review and meta-analysis presented at the European Scientific Working Group on Influenza virtual conference on December 7, 2020, confirmed the benefit of an MF59®-adjuvanted trivalent seasonal influenza vaccine (aTIV) for adults 65 years and older.
As announced by Seqirus, the results indicate that relative vaccine effectiveness (rVE) favored aTIV over non-adjuvanted standard dose quadrivalent and trivalent influenza vaccines in averting influenza-related medical encounters.
Protect Your Family From Fraudulent Flu Products
The winter flu season may soon bring out dishonest sellers marketing fraudulent products to unsuspecting consumers, who are already concerned about protecting themselves from COVID-19, said the U.S Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
These products can be found online, including popular marketplaces, and in retail stores. They may be labeled as dietary supplements, foods, hand sanitizers, nasal sprays, or devices.
Fewest Influenza Cases Confirmed in Years
The World Health Organization (WHO) new influenza report ‘should be interpreted with caution as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has influenced to varying extents health-seeking behaviors, as well as testing priorities and capacities in Member States.’
The WHO’s Influenza Update Report #380 published on November 9, 2020, says ‘various hygiene and physical distancing measures implemented by Member States to reduce SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus transmission have likely played a role in reducing influenza virus transmission.’
Swine Flu Confirmed in Alberta
‘A confirmed case of variant influenza A (H1N2)v has been detected in central Alberta. This currently appears to be one isolated case and there is no increased risk to Albertans at this time,’ announced public health leaders.
‘This isn't a common influenza (flu) and isn't known to spread easily from person-to-person.’
‘This is the only influenza case reported in Alberta so far this flu season,’ stated Dr. Deena Hinshaw, Alberta Canada’s chief medical officer of health, and Dr. Keith Lehman, chief provincial veterinarian, in a press statement issued on November 4, 2020.
American’s Travel App Helps Flyers Enter the USA
American Airlines is the first U.S. airline to introduce an easy way to provide results from a negative COVID-19 test and other completed documents required for international travel.
American’s mobile health passport VeriFLY app helps customers understand and verify their travel requirements, which will be available for travelers starting January 23, 2021, for travel from all international destinations to the USA.
Air Industry Seeks to Abolish Passenger Quarantines
European and international aviation associations urge European governments to immediately abolish quarantine measures and other travel restrictions following new Recommendations published by the European Centre for Disease Prevention & Control (ECDC).
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) – ECDC “Guidelines for COVID-19 testing and quarantine of air travelers: Addendum to the Aviation Health Safety Protocol” also confirm that air travelers account for less than 1 percent of all detected COVID-19 cases and do not increase the rate of virus transmission.
Malaria Prevention Programs Save Millions of Lives
The 2020 edition of the World Malaria Report looks back at key events and milestones that helped shape the global response to the disease over the last 20 years, says the World Health Organization (WHO).
During these 2 decades, about 1.5 billion cases and 7.6 million deaths related to malaria were averted.
This year’s report, which was published on November 30, 2020, also features a special section on malaria and the COVID-19 pandemic and a detailed analysis on progress towards the 2020 milestones of WHO’s global malaria strategy.
Skiers Can Avoid Coronavirus This Winter
While the COVID-19 pandemic has thrown considerable uncertainty into the 2020-2021 ski season, one thing remains certain. Snow-covered mountains will beckon outdoor enthusiasts to click into skis or strap on a snowboard.
Laura Sehnert is an avid skier and plans to ski this winter with her family.
“I grew up skiing in Colorado and love that we have the opportunity to do so with our children,” said Laura Sehnert, chief medical officer and an emergency medicine physician at UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center,
Peru Air Travel Reopens
The South American country of the Republic of Peru has resumed most transportation options, including airport operations. Other improved conditions such as the resumption of most business operations and a gradual re-opening of borders have been reported within Peru.
Peru began its COVID-19 pandemic economic reactivation plan on October 1, 2020, which included the resumption of a limited number of international flights.
Hawai’i Visitors Can Offset Their Carbon Footprint When Planting Trees
In the spirit of giving back as Hawaii tourism recovers, Alaska Airlines will plant one tree for every flight flown to the Hawaiian Islands until 2021, in support of Malama Hawaii.
Malama means to “take care,” and as visitors return to Hawaii, the Islands are asking travelers to be respectful of Hawaii’s beauty and leave with a better understanding of what it means to care for the earth and each other.
Pre-Testing Prior to Flying South
United Airlines announced it had expanded its customer COVID-19 testing efforts to include flights out of Houston to select destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean.
United passengers departing from George Bush Intercontinental Airport on December 7, 2020, will have the option to take a self-collected, mail-in coronavirus test that meets local entry requirements for certain countries Aruba, Belize, and The Bahamas.
The self-collected, mail-in COVID-19 test costs $119.
Pre-Testing Prior to Flying South on United
United Airlines announced it has expanded its customer COVID-19 testing efforts to include flights out of Houston to select destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean.
United passengers departing from George Bush Intercontinental Airport on December 7, 2020, will have the option to take a self-collected, mail-in coronavirus test that meets local entry requirements for certain countries, such as Aruba, Belize, and The Bahamas.
The self-collected, mail-in COVID-19 test costs $119.
Ebola Vaccinations For Staff Exceed 8,000 in Africa
A crushing fear of the disease among many in his neighborhood in Mbandaka, the capital of Equateur province in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) hobbled the initial response to the country’s 11th Ebola outbreak.
Terrified of the rare but often fatal disease, many people in the DRC were wary and unreceptive of the response teams working to halt the virus, while lack of a clear understanding of Ebola prevention and treatment fuelled misconceptions.
Rochester’s Airport Launches Traveler Digital IDs
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) checkpoint at Greater Rochester International Airport located in northern New York is now utilizing new state-of-the-art technology that confirms the validity of a traveler’s identification (ID) and their flight information in near real-time.
This innovative technology will enhance detection capabilities for identifying fraudulent documents at the security checkpoint.