Evidence Mounts That Omicron Is Easier To Spread Than Delta
As scientists race to learn more about the omicron covid variant, infections at a Hong Kong quarantine hotel raise concerns about its transmissibility.
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As scientists race to learn more about the omicron covid variant, infections at a Hong Kong quarantine hotel raise concerns about its transmissibility.
As omicron begins to spread quickly through the U.S., local and global officials and medical experts are finding some positive news: South African data hints it may cause less serious cases, and "mild" ones in children, but Dr. Anthony Fauci said it was too early to be certain.
The reason is based in biology: It's because men have bigger lungs. Loud talkers and singers also spread the virus more readily, the study showed. Other news on covid's spread is from Texas, Iowa, New Hampshire, counties that voted for Donald Trump and more.
As of this report, 17 states have confirmed omicron variant cases. At the same time, the delta variant's grip on the U.S. remains tight as daily case counts are again above 100,000.
News outlets round up what you need to know before heading out on a trip. And Dr. Anthony Fauci says that the U.S. will reevaluate the travel ban on African countries.
The dramatic shift was possible because of flexibilities included in health care provisions put in place during the covid emergency. In other telehealth news, a report in Stat suggests that mental health care for complex matters is also skewing toward more virtual delivery.
News outlets report on the decision of a superior court judge to deny requests from the fire department to delay the city's vaccine mandate, and a separate court decision which lifted a temporary injunction placed on San Diego Unified School District's student shot mandate.
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The fee will be up to $55 per month, and the money is to offset the extra burden of testing all the unvaccinated workers. Meanwhile, in Maine it's proving a struggle to roll out booster shots due to pharmacy staff shortages.
Covid's reproductive number is above 2 in parts of South Africa, meaning each infected person infects at least 2 others. The omicron variant is blamed. Meanwhile, France reports nine omicron cases, and Germany is locking down extra-hard on unvaccinated people.
The blastoids present a more ethical way to study human development, scientists say. In other science news, a study finds what we all suspected: the 6-foot distancing rule is an arbitrary limit.
The numbers don't necessarily represent a rise in autism, experts noted, and instead reflect greater awareness and availability of services to help. Meanwhile, Rep. Alma Adams, a Democrat, raised a warning flag for maternal health problems in the U.S.
Twenty-one states are poised to immediately ban or acutely curtail access to abortions if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade. That decision could also affect abortion access in more liberal-leaning states.
While New York City attempts to get religious and other private schools to require vaccinations of employees, mandates are defied in Oklahoma, New Jersey and Louisiana.
A new study in the U.K. found Pfizer and Moderna's shots were best at lifting antibody levels when given 10-12 weeks after the second dose. Six vaccines show promise as boosters though. A separate study on the overall effectiveness of mRNA shots showed Moderna slightly ahead.
Both chambers eventually approved an 11-week stopgap bill to fund the government. Not included in the package was any measure to stop pending Medicare cuts. Hospitals and doctors are expected to continue lobbying for it.
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