Disclaimer: The data in this column come from either mainstream news
media sources or scientific research published in peer-reviewed
journals (each category can be determined by following the links in
the reference section). This column's author acknowledges the cultural
bias of the world scientific community in its belief that the
scientific method is the most viable available alternative for
assessing COVID-19 and its effects in an objective manner through a
structured process of observable and repeatable hypothesis testing.
Summary: A new study finds SARS-CoV-2 directly infects the coronary
vasculature and causes plaque inflammation, which could help explain
why people with COVID-19 have an increased risk for ischemic
cardiovascular complications up to 1 year after infection (see
"COVID-19 Virus Infects Coronary Vasculature" under COVID
Complications).
People with rheumatic disease and a history of a specific type of cold
virus infection called OC43 are at elevated risk for developing long
COVID (see "A Common Cold Might Set Some Up for Long COVID" under
Virology & Epidemiology).
Two scientists who pioneered an underlying technology to harness
fragile genetic material in a way that ultimately resulted in the mRNA
vaccines used to combat the COVID-19 pandemic were named winners of
the Nobel Prize in medicine (see "Pair of Trailblazers of mRNA Vaccine
Science Win Nobel Prize" under Media News).
When used against current strains of COVID-19, Pfizer's antiviral
Paxlovid is less effective at preventing hospitalization or death in
high-risk patients. But when looking at death alone, the antiviral is
still highly effective (see "Paxlovid Weaker Against Current COVID-19
Variants" under Vaccinations, Treatment & Testing).
Average levels of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID, being found
in wastewater are down about 5%, compared to last week (see
"Wastewater Data Hint at Possible COVID Decline in Some Areas" under
Virology & Epidemiology).
A panel of independent advisers to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) will meet next month to make recommendations on
updated COVID-19 vaccines ahead of the fall season (see "CDC Advisers
Set to Vote on Updated COVID Vaccines Next Month" under Policy).
A long-term study indicates a correlation between COVID-19 and lasting
cardiovascular impairment (see "Cardiovascular Assessment up to One
Year After COVID-19 Vaccine–Associated Myocarditis" under COVID
Complications).
Mean weekly cannabis-involved ED visits among all young persons were
higher during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, 2021, and 2022 (see
"Cannabis-Involved Emergency Department Visits Among Persons Aged <25
Years Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic" under COVID
Complications).
As the rollout of the newly formulated COVID-19 booster shot begins in
earnest, many Americans are finding roadblocks (see "Shortages, Cost,
and Frustration: Quest for the New COVID Shot" under Policy).
Relatives of COVID ICU patients demonstrate a range of coping styles
and impact on quality of life (see "Quality of Life and Coping With
Stress in Relatives of Patients in Intensive Care Units During
COVID-19" under COVID Complications).
The biotech Moderna said Wednesday that its first combination vaccine,
which protects against influenza and Covid-19, had succeeded in an
early-stage trial and could be ready to launch as soon as 2025 (see
"Moderna’s Combo Vaccine Moves Towards Late-Stage Trial" under
Vaccines, Treatment & Testing).
The May 11, 2023 termination of the PHE has made it increasingly
difficult to accurately track COVID-19 new cases or fatalities.
However, new variants of concern continue to emerge, with consequent
infections and deaths.
Since the termination of the PHE, data on vaccination rates are no
longer being tracked. The last known US COVID-19 vaccination rates
(May 10, 2023) are as follows: full
vaccination (two initial doses) 69.3%; at least one updated booster
dose: 17% (see "Track Covid-19 in the U.S." under
Vaccines, Treatment & Testing). "Our World in Data" stopped trying to
track US booster rates on August 30, 2022 and shows a flat line since
then.
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In this episode @EdMHill and Laura Guzman Rincon are joined by health economist Sam Sutherland, a Research Associate (RA) in @WarwickSBIDER & a team member of the Human African Trypanosomiasis Modelling and Economic Predictions for Policy (HAT MEPP) research project.