News That Matters

Tag: Coronavirus

Wuhan market was epicentre of pandemic’s start, studies suggest
24Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Wuhan market was epicentre of pandemic’s start, studies suggest

There are a few different theories as to how the Covid-19 outbreak began, however, researchers agree that Huanan Seafood Wholesale Market of Wuhan, China is the original infection site. Researches speculated that various animal breeds that are used for food and fur may be the cause for the outbreak as they can carry coronavirus. Studies showed that animal swabs came back negative for the virus, but around 1,000 environmental samples from the stalls and other areas of the market tested positive. To learn more, click here.
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The next variant: three key questions about what’s after Omicron
24Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

The next variant: three key questions about what’s after Omicron

Over the course of the pandemic, there have been several variants to arise. With this is mind, people are wondering when the next one will happen and how serious it will be. However, there is no way to know this information. When considering the history of past variants, it is predicted that new variants will arise every few months. Omicron caused much more mild symptoms when compared to other variants, but that doesn't mean it won't cause severe disease. It is unlikely that vaccines will completely protect from new variants. Omicron has several mutations, and the vaccine's protection is reported to be relatively high. To learn more, click here.
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Babies are protected from hospitalization for Covid if their moms get vaccinated, study suggests
21Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Babies are protected from hospitalization for Covid if their moms get vaccinated, study suggests

After studying the effects of vaccination on unborn babies, the CDC found that infants that were younger than 6 months old were 61% less likely to be hospitalized with Covid if their mother received a vaccine from Pfizer or Moderna while pregnant. Research suggests that this is possible because antibodies from the vaccine can transfer across the placenta to the fetus. For mothers that got vaccinated later in the pregnancy, 21 weeks to 14 days before delivery, the baby had an even higher level of protection. It went from 61% to 80%. To read more, click here.
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Covid will always be an epidemic virus- not an endemic one, scientist warns
21Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Covid will always be an epidemic virus- not an endemic one, scientist warns

Omicron is not expected to be the last Covid-19 variant. WHO warns that the next one to arise will be more contagious than Omicron. The CDC in the United States considers an epidemic occurrence to happen when the number of cases for a particular disease increases suddenly, above expectations. WHO declares a pandemic when the growth of a disease is extremely large and spreads across the globe. Despite many opinions on the topic, a biosecurity expert believes that this virus will always behave as an epidemic virus. To read more, click here.
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WHO says there’s no evidence healthy children and adolescents need Covid boosters
21Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

WHO says there’s no evidence healthy children and adolescents need Covid boosters

There has been a lot of chatter about booster shots and how effective they may actually be. The chief scientists for WHO, Dr. Soumya Swaminathan, states that there is no scientific evidence that children and adolescents that are healthy need boosters to supplement their vaccinations. Along with other agency members of WHO, they will sit down and discuss how they should move forward with distributing the booster shots. To read more, click here.
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Drugstores struggle to keep Covid at-home tests in stock as omicron rages across U.S.
20Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Drugstores struggle to keep Covid at-home tests in stock as omicron rages across U.S.

While at-home COVID tests are convenient, they have been hard to come by. This is especially true in hot-spots like New York City. Pharmacies have been overwhelmed with the orders as the kits are being sold out before they arrive in the stores. President Joe Biden is trying to remedy the situation by offering 500 million tests for free. However, the short supply has more to do with material shortages. They still continue to work around the clock and hire more employees to get the tests out as fast as possible. To read more, click here.
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Omicron is fading, but nobody knows when the pandemic will finally end
20Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Omicron is fading, but nobody knows when the pandemic will finally end

United States health officials continue to reassure citizens that we are moving closer to a time where Covid-19 does not dominate our lives. Covid will never be eradicated, but the virus is no longer expected to keep pushing hospitals to their breaking point in the coming months. Infections have skyrocketed with the emergence of the omicron variant, however hospitalizations and deaths have not. This is a good sign. The term endemic refers to a disease that occurs at a regular and predictable level. Experts believe that this is the current stage we are in. To read more, click here.
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Some European countries are scrapping all Covid rules despite scientists warning it’s too soon
20Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Some European countries are scrapping all Covid rules despite scientists warning it’s too soon

Officials in Sweden, Denmark, and Norway are lifting restrictions in regard to Covid. They now classify Covid as a non-threat to society. They hope to enact a law that revokes the previous one that required people that tested positive to self-isolate. As a result, WHO responds by warning government agencies that it is too premature to surrender or deem themselves victorious over the virus. In Sweden, social distancing requirements are changing g as well. There is no longer a limit on the amount of people gathering in one place. These disregard for past Covid rules are due to declining hospitalizations and the availability of the vaccine. To learn more, click here.
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Do you still need a mask? Here’s how the CDC determines if you should wear one
19Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

Do you still need a mask? Here’s how the CDC determines if you should wear one

Americans continue to raise questions as to when the masks can come off as Covid related hospitalizations continue to fall. Last summer, the CDC recommended indoor masking and that guidance has not changed. Other factors are used when determining when to relax the protocols such as the overwhelming amount of people being hospitalized. The numbers are lower, it has been stated that, “Our hospitalization rates are still quite high,” and death data should be a key factor in determining when mitigation guidance should be lifted. To learn more, click here.
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How to fight the next new Covid variant after omicron? Plan for it now
19Jan By longhaulersnewNo Comments
Health

How to fight the next new Covid variant after omicron? Plan for it now

We are currently in the middle of yet another Covid-19 variant surge. It is important that we plan ahead for the next one before it actually arrives. We have the high quality masks, more testing, and manageable techniques for those that are hospitalized, but as we enter the endemic world, we should think bigger. It is known that the virus can and will continue to mutate and plans should be enacted for inevitable surges There is no guarantee that the future variants will be mild. To learn more, click here.
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