Covid, Ever Capricious, Is Falling In Some Areas, Rising In Others
Wastewater data suggest that the recent uptick in covid infections across the U.S. may have peaked ... at least in some places. This news arrives even as reports say Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine is testing positive, and as multiple Bay Area counties issue mask mandates amid rising cases.
NBC News:
The 2023 Covid Spike Is Easing In Some Areas, Wastewater Testing Suggests
Wastewater data suggest that the recent uptick in Covid cases may have peaked, at least in some areas. Biobot Analytics, a company that tracks wastewater samples at 257 sites nationwide, said that the current average Covid levels across the United States are approximately 5% lower than they were last week. "All fingers crossed," Cristin Young, a Biobot epidemiologist said, "this wave is plateauing and may be declining." (Edwards, 9/19)
News5Cleveland:
Ohio Gov. DeWine Tests Positive For COVID-19 After Mistaking It For 'Mild Head Cold'
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine announced Tuesday that he has tested positive for COVID-19 after believing he had a "mild head cold." DeWine began experiencing mild cold symptoms Monday and, believing he had a mild head cold, proceeded with his work day Tuesday, according to a news release from the governor's office. (9/19)
San Francisco Chronicle:
Bay Area Counties Issue New Mask Mandates As COVID Rises
In response to the increasing threat of respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19 and influenza, officials in multiple Bay Area counties have issued orders requiring health care workers in patient care settings to wear masks during the upcoming respiratory virus season. The measures announced on Tuesday in Sonoma, Contra Costa and San Mateo counties remain in effect from Nov. 1 through April 30. The move comes amid concerns of a potential “tripledemic” of COVID-19, flu and RSV that could strain health care systems. (Vaziri, 9/19)
On covid vaccines —
The Wall Street Journal:
A Game Plan for Timing Your Flu, Covid and RSV Shots This Fall
Respiratory virus season is around the corner. With vaccines available for Covid-19, flu and, for some people, RSV, when should you get them? Doctors generally suggest getting your flu and Covid shots before the end of October, and say it’s OK to get both those shots at the same time. The most important thing, doctors say, is to get vaccinated. If you’re in a doctor’s office or a drugstore and can get your shots, it usually makes sense to do it. (Reddy, 9/19)
USA Today:
Fact Check: No Evidence COVID-19 Vaccines Shorten Life Expectancy
The claim: CDC data shows COVID-19 vaccines could lower life expectancy by up to 24 years. "BREAKING: According to new CDC data, the Covid vaccine could take 24 years off of your life," reads the post. False: There is no evidence any data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows a link between COVID-19 vaccines and lower life expectancy. The dataset cited in a related article wasn't released until months after the claim was made. The claim originated with a website that frequently publishes misinformation. (Mueller, 9/19)
Reuters:
Moderna To Cut MRNA Drug Substance Production At Lonza Facility
Moderna said on Tuesday it will cut production of mRNA drug substance for its COVID-19 vaccine at Lonza's facility in Switzerland this quarter as part of a plan to align manufacturing of the shots with lower post-pandemic demand. The U.S. company had said last week it was in talks with its partners that fill vials and syringes globally to downsize vaccine production. (9/19)
On long covid —
Stat:
Experts Study Whether Long Covid Risk Adds Up With Each Reinfection
More than three years into the coronavirus pandemic, fewer and fewer people are experiencing their first Covid-19 infections. But as cases climb, those who’ve had the virus before may wonder: What are their chances of developing long Covid — and does the risk increase with each reinfection? (Cooney, 9/20)
CIDRAP:
How Common Long COVID Is May Depend On How It's Defined
In Open Forum Infectious Diseases, Dutch scientists report that the definition of post-COVID condition (PCC, or long COVID) matters when estimating prevalence in a population. In people who had previously tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the prevalence of long-term symptoms varied from 26.9% to 64.1%, depending on which of six different definitions was used, while in those who tested negative, the prevalence varied from 11.4% to 32.5%. (Soucheray, 9/19)
On preventing the next pandemic —
The Boston Globe:
CDC Gives Northeastern U. $17.5 Million To Predict Pandemics
Northeastern University has been selected for a leading role in a new national network formed to better forecast the spread of a future pandemic. The university announced Tuesday the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has awarded it $17.5 million over the next five years to develop a center focused on detecting and preparing for the next outbreak of infectious disease, especially in rural areas. (Freyer, 9/19)
