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Sunday, February 20, 2022, 8:50 A.M. EST
Queen Elizabeth Tests Positive for COVID-19
Buckingham Palace announced today that Queen Elizabeth II has tested positive for COVID-19.
According to a statement, the 95-year-old monarch is experiencing “mild cold-like symptoms” but expects to continue “light duties” over the coming week, as reported by BBC News. “She will continue to receive medical attention and will follow all the appropriate guidelines.”
The news comes 10 days after Prince Charles, heir to the throne, tested positive for COVID-19 for a second time and less than a week after his wife, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, confirmed she had the virus.
The Queen and her late husband, Prince Philip, received their first dose of COVID-19 vaccines in January 21, as reported by CNN. However, no further information was revealed about follow-up vaccinations.
Friday, February 18, 2022, 12:04 EST
Omicron Subvariant Spreading Rapidly
As the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP) reported on Wednesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) released a new report this week showing that the omicron subvariant BA.2 now accounts for more than 1 in 5 new coronavirus infections detected worldwide, and the variant is rising both in countries where cases are increasing and declining.
Read More About the BA.2 Variant Spread
Time to Start Inching Toward Normalcy, Says Dr. Fauci
In an interview with Reuters, top U.S. infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci, MD, said on Wednesday that it is time for the United States to start inching back towards normality, despite remaining risks from COVID-19. “The fact that the world and the United States and particularly certain parts of the United States are just up to here with COVID — they just really need to somehow get their life back,” he said. “You don’t want to be reckless and throw everything aside, but you’ve got to start inching towards that.”
Texas Sues Biden Administration to End Mask Mandates on Planes
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and U.S. Representative Beth Van Duyne filed a suit against the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this week to stop the mandate requiring that masks be worn on planes. The suit argues that “the mask mandate is a ‘restriction on travelers’ liberty interests'” and that it exceeds that authority of the CDC.
Switzerland Lifts Almost All COVID-19 Restrictions
The Swiss government has eliminated nearly all of its COVID-19 rules as of midnight Wednesday, according to Reuters. The only remaining policy is that masks must be worn on public transportation and while visiting healthcare facilities. The change comes after about two years living under strict measures to mitigate the spread of the virus. President Ignazio Cassis said that the virus is still with us but, “We are learning how to live with the virus.”
73 Percent of Americans May Be Immune to Omicron
In an article for the Associated Press this week, Ali Mokdad, PhD, a professor of health metrics sciences at the University of Washington in Seattle, calculated that about 73 percent of Americans may now be immune to omicron because their immune systems are primed to fight it off because of vaccination or exposure to the virus already.
Adidas Drops Vaccine Mandate
In a statement to USA Today, Adidas told the newspaper that it is scrapping its mandatory vaccination requirement for U.S. employees, citing the Supreme Court’s decision to block the proposed federal requirement. “Though no longer required, we strongly encourage all employees to be vaccinated,” the company said in a statement.
California Plans to Move From Pandemic to Endemic
As KCRA News reported, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Thursday that the state was entering first stage of an “endemic” approach to virus, whereby the virus still exists in the population but it becomes manageable as immunity builds. Newsom underscored that the approach still means maintaining a wary watchfulness attuned to warning signs of the next deadly new surge or variant because “the disease is not going away.”
Thursday, February 17, 2022, 3:05 EST
United States Moving out of Crisis Stage of Pandemic, White House Official Says
During a news briefing on Wednesday, White House coronavirus response coordinator Jeff Zients told reporters that the United States has made “tremendous progress” when it comes to protecting Americans against COVID-19 and the White House is gearing up for a new phase, according to the Washington Post. “As a result of all this progress and the tools we all have, we’re moving toward a time when COVID isn’t a crisis but is something we can protect against and treat,” he said. He touted the fact that three-quarters of U.S. adults are now fully vaccinated, and tools such as masking and effective treatments are now available to control spread and severe health outcomes from the virus.
CDC May Soon Loosen Mask Guidelines
At a press briefing of the White House COVID-19 Response Team Wednesday, Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH, said that the CDC is looking to hospitalizations as the benchmark for when masking guidelines can be eased.
“Things are moving in the right direction, but we want to remain vigilant to do all we can so that this trajectory continues,” said Dr. Walensky. She stressed that hospital capacity must be considered.
“Our hospitals need to be able to take care of people with heart attacks and strokes,” she said. “Our emergency departments can’t be so overwhelmed that patients with emergent issues have to wait in line.”
Walensky recognized that people are growing weary of pandemic rules, and the CDC wants “to give people a break from things like mask-wearing, when these metrics are better.” Currently, the CDC recommends that people wear masks in indoor public places no matter their vaccination status if they live in an area with high viral transmission.
Regardless of the level of disease burden in a community, however, mask-wearing is still also essential in three instances, she said:
- If you are symptomatic or feeling unwell, you should wear a mask.
- If you were exposed to someone with COVID-19 and are quarantining, you should wear a mask.
- If you are in the 10 days after a COVID-19 diagnosis, you should wear a mask.
Booster Rate Is at an All-Time Low
CNN analysis shows that Americans are getting booster shots at the slowest pace since being recommended for all adult in November — just 28 percent of the U.S. population has gotten the extra shot. Just over 6 out of 10 Americans are fully vaccinated. CNN cited a Kaiser Family Foundation survey indicating that about 4 in 10 who are vaccinated say they want to get the booster as soon as possible, while another 4 in 10 say they either will definitely not get a booster or only get one if required.
Two Major Music Festivals Drop All COVID-Related Restrictions
Coachella and Stagecoach festivals will no longer have any COVID-related barriers for admission. Concertgoers will not be required to show negative tests, proof of vaccination, or wear masks. Stagecoach (an outdoor country music festival) and Coachella (an outdoor festival of current rock, indie, hip hop, and dance) are both held annually at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California. The 2017 festival Coachella Festival was attended by a quarter-million people.
Vaccinated Are Less Likely to Get Long COVID
In a report from the U.K. Health Security Agency, six of the eight studies assessing the effectiveness of vaccination before COVID-19 infection suggested that vaccinated cases were less likely to develop symptoms of long COVID following infection.
Infections Climb in Denmark After Restrictions Are Lifted
Yahoo! News said that soaring COVID-19 numbers in Denmark — that are now being tallied after the country lifted restrictions — should be a warning to the United States as many states loosen restrictions. At the beginning of February, Denmark lifted its remaining COVID-related rules. As reported by Yahoo, Denmark since that time has continued to record more COVID-19 cases per capita than nearly anywhere else in the world, and both COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths have shot up by about a third.
Walt Disney Drops Mask Rule for Vaccinated Guests
As shared by the Disney Tourist blog, face coverings will be optional for fully vaccinated guests at indoor and outdoor locations at Disney World and Disneyland starting Thursday, February 17. “We expect guests who are not fully vaccinated to continue wearing face coverings in all indoor locations, including indoor attractions and theaters,” Disney wrote on its website. Face coverings will still be required on Disney transportation.
Wednesday, February 16, 2022, 11:15 A.M. EST
Omicron Continues to Recede in the United States
The Washington Post tracker indicates that as of Tuesday the seven-day average of new cases in the country has fallen by 42 percent, while deaths fell 6 percent and hospitalizations fell 19 percent.
Americans Divided on Masks
A new CBS News-YouGov poll based on a sample of 2,578 U.S. adults found that 56 percent of Americans say their states should have mask mandates and 53 percent say they’re still feeling patient about COVID-19 safety measures. Just 47 percent polled said things are going well in the pandemic response right now. Fifty-seven percent of parents support masking in schools, while 36 percent want mask-optional policies.
Israel Will Offer Antibody Cocktail for Immunocompromised
For people with immune-compromised systems who do not get enough protection from COVID-19 through vaccines, Israel plans to offer AstraZeneca’s antibody cocktail Evusheld, according to Reuters on Tuesday. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has already issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for the combination — tixagevimab and cilgavimab administered together — for those with moderate to severely compromised immune systems that may not adequately fend off the coronavirus. In a trial of 3,441 people who received Evusheld and 1,731 who received a placebo, those who received the drug saw a 77 percent reduced risk of developing COVID-19 compared to those who were given a placebo.
Nearly 1,500 New York City Workers Fired for Failing to Meet Vaccine Mandate
A total of 1,430 municipal workers (less than 1 percent of city employees) lost their jobs on Friday for not complying with the city mandate to get vaccinated, including workers with the police department, fire department, and the department of education, according to the New York Daily News. “City workers served on the frontlines during the pandemic, and by getting vaccinated, they are, once again, showing how they are willing to do the right thing to protect themselves and all New Yorkers. Our goal was always to vaccinate, not terminate, and city workers stepped up and met the goal placed before them,” said Mayor Eric Adams.
New Zealand Police Blast Barry Manilow Tunes to Disperse Vaccine Protestors
The BBC reported that police in New Zealand have been trying to break up a crowd outside the parliament who are demonstrating against vaccine mandates by loudly playing Barry Manilow’s greatest hits, along with “Macarena.” Authorities have also resorted to turning on water sprinklers on the lawn where the protestors were camped on Friday, but so far there has been no indication that the tactics are working.
More Than 135 countries on the High-Risk List
As of Monday, more than 135 nations around the world are now on the CDC’s list of countries to avoid due to “very high” levels of COVID-19.
Russia and Ukraine Share High COVID-19 Rates
USA Today reported Tuesday that Ukraine and Russia are among six Eastern European countries that have seen new cases double in the last two weeks. About half of all Russians and one-third of all Ukranians are fully vaccinated.
Tuesday, February 15, 2022, 4:37 EST
Pedestrian Deaths Surged During the Pandemic
A feature published in The New York Times on Monday detailed how pedestrian fatalities from reckless driving have reached record levels during the pandemic. The Times presented data showing how these fatalities rose to some of their highest totals in New Jersey, Texas, Utah, Washington, and New Mexico. Authorities in states across the country cite increasing levels of anxiety and pandemic drinking as contributing factors.
David Spiegel, MD, director of Stanford Medical School’s Center on Stress and Health, told the Times that “social disengagement” may play a role. People are not getting the support and pleasure of social contact, and that loss may be affecting how they drive.
European Union Investigates Possible Menstrual Problems Tied to Vaccines
Europe’s drug regulator said on Friday that it is looking into reports of heavy menstrual bleeding and missed periods in women who have received either the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 vaccines, according to Reuters. The European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) drug safety committee plans an in-depth review, involving recorded episodes, as well as clinical trial data and the published scientific articles. The EMA underscored that there is no evidence that vaccines affect fertility, and there was no evidence yet of a causal link between the immunizations and these menstruation problems.
Republicans Urge White House to Wind Down COVID-19 as ‘Public Health Emergency’
NPR on Monday said that Republicans in Congress are pressing President Biden to end the designation of COVID-19 as a “public health emergency” (PHE), as cases plummet, vaccinations provide protection, and effective treatments are now available to fend off severe illness. GOP members of Congress wrote in a letter that they want the President “to recognize that current heavy-handed government interventions are doing more harm than good, and immediately begin the process by which we unwind the PHE so our country can get back to normal.”
For Those With Long COVID, Exercise May Only Make Things Worse
The New York Times on Sunday took an in-depth look at how many people with long COVID (where specific symptoms continue long after initial infection has passed) find themselves too tired to exercise. Natalie Lambert, a biostatistician and health data scientist at the Indiana University School of Medicine, told the Times, “The research that I’ve done has shown that inability to exercise is one of the most common long-term symptoms.” For some, their symptoms get worse even after a little physical activity. Doctors are calling the condition “post-exertional malaise.” A study published July 2021 in The Lancet found that 89 percent of 3,762 participants with long COVID experienced “post-exertional malaise.”
Damage to Vagus Nerve May Be Reason for Long COVID-19
The Jerusalem Post reported Monday on new research suggesting that harm to the vagus nerve from the coronavirus may be the cause of many long COVID symptoms. The pilot study to be presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID) in April was based on 348 patients with long COVID, of whom two-thirds (228) had at least one symptom of vagus nerve dysfunction. The vagus nerve is the longest and one of the most important in the autonomous nervous system. It brings information of the inner organs, such as gut, liver, heart, and lungs, to the brain.
Walmart Drops Mask Rule for Vaccinated Workers
Walmart announced last week that vaccinated workers will no longer need to wear masks while on the job, and the company is ending a special sick-pay program for COVID-19 illnesses, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Duchess Camilla Tests Positive
As reported in People magazine Monday, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, has tested positive for COVID-19, just four days after her husband Prince Charles went into quarantine after testing positive. Just like Charles, the 74-year-old Camilla has received two shots and a booster of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Hong Kong Lowers Vaccination Age to 3 as Virus Surges
The Hong Kong Free Press said that Hong Kong will lower the age limit for receiving the Chinese-made Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine to 3 starting on Tuesday. The decision comes days after a 4-year-old boy reportedly died of the virus. Currently, the city’s medical and quarantine capacity is overloaded, and hospitals are reserving isolation wards for children, the elderly, and patients with serious symptoms.
Monday, February 14, 2022, 5:43 EST
FDA Okays New Monoclonal Antibody for Omicron
The FDA issued an emergency use authorization on Friday for a new monoclonal antibody for the treatment of COVID-19 that seems to be effective against the omicron variant. Administered by intravenous injection, Eli Lilly’s bebtelovimab is made for adults and kids ages 12 and over who have mild to moderate COVID-19 and are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19. It is not designed to help those who are already hospitalized or require oxygen therapy. “Today’s action makes available another monoclonal antibody that shows activity against omicron, at a time when we are seeking to further increase supply,” said Patrizia Cavazzoni, MD, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, in a statement.
At the end of January, the FDA announced that it was limiting previous antibody treatments produced by Eli Lilly (bamlanivimab and etesevimab) and Regeneron (casirivimab and imdevimab) because mounting evidence suggested that those monoclonal therapies didn’t effectively neutralize the omicron variant.
‘Full-Blown Pandemic’ Soon May Be Coming to an End, Dr. Fauci Says
In an interview with the Financial Times last week, Anthony Fauci, MD, the chief medical advisor to the president, said that we are “certainly heading out of” the “full-blown pandemic phase of COVID-19.” As the virus subsides, he added that more “decisions will increasingly be made on a local level rather than centrally decided or mandated. There will also be more people making their own decisions on how they want to deal with the virus.”
Mobile Kicks Off First Mardi Gras Since 2020
Known as the “birthplace of Mardi Gras,” Mobile, Alabama, held its first big parade of Mardi Gras season on Friday night after two years without celebrations since the start of the pandemic, according to the Associated Press. Although health officials have urged people to still take precautions to avoid viral spread, safety measures such as social distancing and masking are not being enforced.
Cases Worldwide Drop 19 Percent
Analysis from United Press International (UPI) published Sunday showed that coronavirus infections globally have declined by 19 percent in the past week and deaths have inched down by 1 percent. Russia (203,766), Germany (247,128), Netherlands (189,377), and South Korea (56,425), however, have set new daily records in the past week. Cases, which reached a peak on January 20 of 3,803,734, have now plummeted to 1,884,721.
Hong Kong also reported a record 3,000 new cases on Sunday, according to Reuters. Hong Kong had previously required that all COVID-19 patients receive hospital treatment. The New York Times on Sunday said that the city will start telling those with mild cases to isolate at home.
Norway to End Almost All COVID-19 Restrictions
Norway Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere announced on Saturday that the country will scrap almost all of its COVID-19 rules, according to The Hill. “We are removing almost all coronavirus measures,” Stoere said during a news conference. “The coronavirus pandemic is no longer a major health threat to most of us. The omicron virus causes far less serious illness and we are well protected by vaccines.”
Canadian Police Clear Protestors at Vital U.S. Crossing
NPR reported Sunday that police cleared and arrested a remaining group of protestors who had been demonstrating against vaccine mandates moving closer to reopening the busiest border crossing between the United States and Canada, the Ambassador Bridge, which connects Windsor, Ontario, and Detroit. The bridge, which has been blockaded nearly a week by protestors, carries about one-quarter of all trade between the United States and Canada.
Delta Variant Hit Rural Areas Especially Hard
A study published February 10 in JAMA Network Open found that in areas with vaccination rates lower than 30 percent, COVID-19 infections per 100 000 people increased from 190 during July 1 to 15 to 1,272 during August 16 to 31. Rural counties accounted for 369 of 449 areas (or 82 percent) with lower vaccination rates. “Areas with low vaccination experienced a more intense surge of new cases during the third wave of the pandemic in the United States, primarily driven by the delta variant,” concluded the authors.
“Our study underscores the importance of vaccination to mitigate the rate of spread of COVID-19 in the United States,” said study coauthor Phillip Coule, MD, associate dean at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, in a statement.
Alternatives to Mouth-to-Mouth Resuscitation in the Age of COVID-19
As the Washington Post reported, an international group of resuscitation and drowning experts recently published guidelines on how to safely revive a drowned person in the age of COVID-19 in order to lower the risk on infection. Instead of mouth-to-mouth, bag valve masks, in which air is pumped into the lungs using a balloon-like bag, are recommended.
Friday, February 11, 2022, 3:43 EST
Shots for Kids Under 5 Delayed
Pfizer has notified the FDA that new data emerged regarding its emergency use authorization (EUA) request for the use of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in children under 5. The FDA issued a statement saying that it was “postponing the Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee meeting originally scheduled for February 15. This will give the agency time to consider the additional data, allowing for a transparent public discussion as part of our usual scientific and regulatory processes for COVID-19 vaccines.”
COVID-19 Surge in South Korea and Other Asian Countries
As reported by The New York Times, South Korea recorded 49,567 coronavirus cases on Wednesday — a new daily record and a rise of about 13,000 over the previous day. The Times said that other parts of Asia are also seeing a spike following the Lunar New Year.
Oscars Will Not Require Proof of Vaccination
Variety has learned that this year’s Oscars ceremony will not require those attending to show proof of vaccination. Strict COVID-19 testing and masking policies were enforced at last year’s ceremony. This year, the Academy suggests that attendees be vaccinated, and will require attendees to be tested prior to attending. Unvaccinated guests are expected to meet additional and more stringent testing requirements.
Prince Charles Gets COVID-19 a Second Time
The British Royal Residence Clarence House announced in a tweet on Thursday that Prince Charles has tested positive for COVID-19 and is now self-isolating. NBC News said that the 73-year-old previously tested positive in March 2020. Charles has been fully vaccinated and boosted.
Do New York City Rats Have COVID-19?
A feature in New York magazine examined if COVID-infected rats may be adding to levels of the virus detected in the city’s wastewater. Scientists interviewed by the magazine said “perhaps rats could exhale the virus into the air in certain areas [like] the subways” and “it’s worth paying attention to, but it’s not worth panicking over.”
Jobless Claims Fall for Third Week in a Row
Latest figures from the U.S. Department of Labor show that initial claims for unemployment benefits dropped to 223,000 for the week ending February 5, a decline of 16,000 compared with the previous week. The Wall Street Journal said that this is the third week in a row that new applications for unemployment benefits have fallen. According to the Journal, U.S. employers added 467,000 jobs in January, and economists forecast a strong demand for workers throughout 2022.
Canadian Truckers Critical of Vaccination Mandates Continue to Shut Down Cross-Border Traffic
CNN reported Thursday that three border crossings in Michigan, North Dakota, and Montana have been cut off by truckers protesting vaccine mandates. The Canadian government announced it would send additional officers and resources to protests throughout the country. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said that the vast majority of Canadian truckers — 90 percent — are vaccinated, and those protesting represent a minority.
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