Tag:

Omicron variant

COVID-19: New LB.1 Variant Sees Climb In Infections Amid Nationwide Uptick In Cases COVID-19: New LB.1 Variant Sees Climb In Infections Amid Nationwide Uptick In Cases
Covid-19: New LB.1 Variant Sees Climb In Infections Amid Nationwide Uptick In Cases Cases of a new COVID-19 variant are on the rise nationally as the spread of the virus overall is climbing, according to brand-new data from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC). The highly contagious variant, LB.1, now accounts for 17.5 percent of US cases in the two weeks ending Saturday, June 22. LB.1 cases have more than doubled since May, and some experts think it could be on a path to surpass two offshoots of the highly contagious Omicron variant who are part of the so-called "FLiRT" group: KP.3 and KP. 2. Combined, those two subvariants account for mo…
COVID-19: Rapid Spread Of Highly Mutated JN.1 May Mean It's More Contagious Than Other Strains COVID-19: Rapid Spread Of Highly Mutated JN.1 May Mean It's More Contagious Than Other Strains
Covid-19: Rapid Spread Of Highly Mutated JN.1 May Mean It's More Contagious Than Other Strains The rapid spread of a new subvariant that has quickly become the leading cause of COVID-19 infections in the US may mean it's more contagious than other highly transmissible offshoots of the Omicron variant. JN.1 now accounts for 44 percent of US cases, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released on Friday, Dec. 22. Just a week earlier, JN.1 had made up 21.4 percent of US cases in previously reported CDC data. In the Northeast, JN.1 is even more widespread, accounting for more than 56 percent of new COVID cases, the CDC says. The…
COVID-19: Highly Mutated Pirola Variant Now Identified In 10 States COVID-19: Highly Mutated Pirola Variant Now Identified In 10 States
Covid-19: Highly Mutated Pirola Variant Now Identified In 10 States A newly identified COVID-19 strain with around 30 mutations has now been identified in 10 states. Cases of the BA.2.86 strain, known as Pirola, have been confirmed in:  Colorado, Maryland, Michigan, New York,  Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, Washington. The Michigan case, the first in the US, was an older woman who had recently returned from Japan who reportedly had mild symptoms. Related story - COVID-19: These Are Most Likely Symptoms Of New Pirola Variant Spreading In US At a World Health Organization (WHO) news briefing late last month, authorities said …
COVID-19: First Case Of Highly Mutated Pirola Variant Confirmed In NY COVID-19: First Case Of Highly Mutated Pirola Variant Confirmed In NY
Covid-19: First Case Of Highly Mutated Pirola Variant Confirmed In NY A newly identified COVID-19 strain with around 30 mutations is spreading in the nation and around the world, with a fourth state in America and several more countries confirming cases. Click here for a new, updated report - COVID-19: These Are Most Likely Symptoms Of New Pirola Variant Spreading In US The BA.2.86 strain, known as Pirola, has now been identified in four states: New York, Michigan, Virginia, and Ohio.  New York became the latest state to report the presence of the variant this week after wastewater samples tested positive for the strain. "While we have yet …
COVID-19: New Variant With 30 Mutations May Cause Breakthrough Infections, CDC Warns COVID-19: New Variant With 30 Mutations May Cause Breakthrough Infections, CDC Warns
Covid-19: New Variant With 30 Mutations May Cause Breakthrough Infections, CDC Warns A newly identified COVID-19 strain with around 30 mutations may cause breakthrough infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The BA.2.86 strain, now known as Pirola, has been identified in three states: Michigan, Virginia, and Ohio. The Michigan case, the first in the US, was an older woman who had recently returned from Japan. "BA.2.86 may be more capable of causing infection in people who have previously had COVID-19 or who have received COVID-19 vaccines," the CDC said in a Risk Assessment Summary. "Scientists are evaluating the effectiveness of the f…
COVID-19: Highly Mutated Pirola Variant Spreading In US With New Cases Confirmed COVID-19: Highly Mutated Pirola Variant Spreading In US With New Cases Confirmed
Covid-19: Highly Mutated Pirola Variant Spreading In US With New Cases Confirmed Scientists are scrambling to study a newly identified COVID-19 strain with around 30 mutations spreading in the United States and multiple other countries. Click here for a new, updated story - COVID-19: First Case Of Highly Mutated Pirola Variant Confirmed In NY The BA.2.86 strain, known as Pirola, has now been identified in three states: Michigan, Virginia, and Ohio. The Michigan case, the first in the US, was an older woman who had recently returned from Japan. At a World Health Organization (WHO) news briefing on Friday, Aug. 25, authorities said they consider BA.2.86 to be…
COVID-19: Subvariant XBB Accounts For 70% Of Tristate NY Cases, Sparking Concerns Of New Wave COVID-19: Subvariant XBB Accounts For 70% Of Tristate NY Cases, Sparking Concerns Of New Wave
Covid-19: Subvariant XBB Accounts For 70% Of Tristate NY Cases, Sparking Concerns Of New Wave An Omicron strain called XBB.1.5 which now accounts for the majority of COVID-19 cases from the New York tristate area through New England has the potential to trigger a new wave of infections, a top expert is now saying. The XBB.1.5 variant makes up 40.5 percent of cases in the United States, and 70 percent of cases in the New York tristate area through New England, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). "I would expect a wave of infection with this new variant," Dr. Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), told MS…
COVID-19: Vaccine Targeting Omicron Variant Authorized For Young Children By FDA COVID-19: Vaccine Targeting Omicron Variant Authorized For Young Children By FDA
Covid-19: Vaccine Targeting Omicron Variant Authorized For Young Children By FDA The Food and Drug Administration has authorized the use of updated COVID-19 booster shots targeting the Omicron variant for younger children. The FDA announced the amended emergency use authorization of the bivalent Moderna and Pfizer booster vaccines on Wednesday, Oct. 12. Today, FDA amended the EUA of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent and the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine, Bivalent to authorize their use as a single booster dose in younger age groups. https://t.co/C2Sx5Nkk0R pic.twitter.com/xsPfO2Mek3 — U.S. FDA (@US_FDA) October 12, 2022 The Moderna bivalent booster is autho…
COVID-19: CT Cancer Patient Has Been Infected With Virus At Least 471 Days, Case Study Says COVID-19: CT Cancer Patient Has Been Infected With Virus At Least 471 Days, Case Study Says
Covid-19: CT Cancer Patient Has Been Infected With Virus At Least 471 Days, Case Study Says A Connecticut resident experienced a chronic COVID-19 infection for at least 471 days, researchers reported. Researchers from Yale University found that a patient, who is diagnosed with lymphoma, has been testing positive for the virus for at least 471 days and that the virus rapidly mutated during their infection, according to the Daily Mail. The study, which has not yet been peer-reviewed, can be found here. Researchers reported that their surveillance system captured 30 nasal swabs from the unnamed individual, and sequenced COVID-19 genomes from day 79 through 471, which was between Feb…
COVID-19: New Wave With 'Worst Version' Of Omicron Starting, Leading NY Doctor Says COVID-19: New Wave With 'Worst Version' Of Omicron Starting, Leading NY Doctor Says
Covid-19: New Wave With 'Worst Version' Of Omicron Starting, Leading NY Doctor Says A new COVID-19 wave with the strongest strain of the Omicron variant appears to have started in New York, one of NYC's top epidemiologists in the city is saying. Dr. Jay Varma, who was former Mayor Bill de Blasio's top public health advisor during the pandemic, said the infection rate appears to have stabilized at a high level rather than subsiding as summer starts to get into full swing. "This is likely the beginning of a BA.5 wave," Varma stated in a Tweet.  "Reported cases are at a high plateau, which means actual transmission is very high when you account for the &g…
COVID-19: Updated Vaccine Boosts Protection Against Omicron, Moderna Says COVID-19: Updated Vaccine Boosts Protection Against Omicron, Moderna Says
Covid-19: Updated Vaccine Boosts Protection Against Omicron, Moderna Says Biotechnology company Moderna announced its goal to release an updated booster vaccine this summer after data analysis showed the booster's superior protection against the Omicron variant compared to its original vaccine.  The company said in an announcement on Wednesday, June 8, that data analysis shows that its Omicron-containing bivalent COVID vaccine shows superior neutralizing antibody response against Omicron one month after administration compared to its original vaccine. Moderna said the side effects of the new booster dose are comparable to a booster dose of its original …
COVID-19: FDA Expands Eligibility For Pfizer Booster To Children 5 Through 11 COVID-19: FDA Expands Eligibility For Pfizer Booster To Children 5 Through 11
Covid-19: FDA Expands Eligibility For Pfizer Booster To Children 5 Through 11 Federal health officials have granted emergency use authorization for a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in children. On Tuesday, May 17, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it is expanding eligibility for boosters to include children between the ages of 5 and 11 years old. That age group will be permitted to receive their booster shot five months after completing their initial COVID-19 vaccination series, officials said. FDA Commissioner Robert Califf said that while data shows COVID-19 is less severe in children, the vaccine and boosters can help …
COVID-19: Hospitalizations Above 200 In CT; Infection Rate Near 10 Percent COVID-19: Hospitalizations Above 200 In CT; Infection Rate Near 10 Percent
Covid-19: Hospitalizations Above 200 In CT; Infection Rate Near 10 Percent The positive COVID-19 infection rate in Connecticut is surging toward double digits as the number of patients being treated for the virus statewide soared past 200.  In the past seven days, there have been more than 63,000 COVID-19 PCR and NAAT tests administered in Connecticut, according to the state Department of Public Health, resulting in 6,310 laboratory-confirmed cases of the virus. The seven-day average positivity rate of those tests has jumped up to 9.99 percent after dipping below 7 percent last week. Forty-five more COVID-19 patients were administered to Connecticut hospital…
COVID-19: Infection Rate Back Below 8 Percent In CT, Hospitalizations Approach 200 COVID-19: Infection Rate Back Below 8 Percent In CT, Hospitalizations Approach 200
Covid-19: Infection Rate Back Below 8 Percent In CT, Hospitalizations Approach 200 The positive COVID-19 infection rate in Connecticut is declining, though the number of patients being treated for the virus in state hospitals is approaching a dubious number. In the past seven days, there have been more than 67,000 COVID-19 PCR and NAAT tests administered in Connecticut, according to the state Department of Public Health, resulting in 5,261 laboratory-confirmed cases of the virus. The seven-day average positivity rate of those tests has dipped to 7.81 percent after surging past 8 percent last week. Thirty-four more COVID-19 patients were administered to Connecticut hospit…
COVID-19: Moderna Seeks Approval For Second Booster Shot For All Adults COVID-19: Moderna Seeks Approval For Second Booster Shot For All Adults
Covid-19: Moderna Seeks Approval For Second Booster Shot For All Adults Though the COVID-19 case numbers across the country have either plateaued or are showing improvement, Moderna is now seeking federal approval to administer a second booster shot for adults. Moderna is seeking an amendment of the US Food and Drug Administration’s emergency use authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine to allow for a fourth vaccine to adults 18 and older who have gotten an initial booster. The move by Moderna comes days after Pfizer and BioNTech submitted a similar request for authorization of an additional booster shot, though that vaccine would only be eligible for adults 65 a…
COVID-19: New Strain Of Virus Detected That Combines Two Omicron Sub-Variants COVID-19: New Strain Of Virus Detected That Combines Two Omicron Sub-Variants
Covid-19: New Strain Of Virus Detected That Combines Two Omicron Sub-Variants A new COVID-19 strain has been discovered that is a combination of a pair of sub-variants of the Omicron version of the virus. Israel’s Ministry of Health announced that it has recorded multiple cases of the new strain, which combines the two sub-variants - dubbed BA.1 and BA.2 - during PCR testing of passengers arriving at the Ben Guiron airport. Health officials in Israel said that “the variant is still unknown around the world,” according to a statement released by the Ministry of Health. "The two cases of the combined strain, which have been discovered so far, suffered from mild sympto…
COVID-19: 'Many Variants Are Coming,' Pfizer CEO Warns, Saying Fourth Shot Will Be Needed COVID-19: 'Many Variants Are Coming,' Pfizer CEO Warns, Saying Fourth Shot Will Be Needed
Covid-19: 'Many Variants Are Coming,' Pfizer CEO Warns, Saying Fourth Shot Will Be Needed Warning that "many variants are coming," the chairman and chief executive officer of Pfizer says a fourth dose of the COVID-19 -- a second booster shot -- will be needed. Appearing on CBS-TV's "Face the Nation" on Sunday, March 13, Dr. Albert Bourla was asked if a COVID booster shot could become recommended each fall - similar to a flu shot. "I think so," Bourla responded. "And I think this is what we are trying now to make." Bourla said Pfizer is trying "very diligently to stay ahead of the virus" because "many variants are coming and Omicron was the first one that was able to evade in a …
COVID-19: Here's How You Can Now Order Four More Free At-Home Tests COVID-19: Here's How You Can Now Order Four More Free At-Home Tests
Covid-19: Here's How You Can Now Order Four More Free At-Home Tests Americans are now eligible to order a second round of free at-home COVID-19 test kits from the federal government. In January, the website covidtests.gov was launched, permitting Americans to order up to four more free testing kits per household, though supplies were initially limited. Families that ordered up to four tests during the first round are now eligible to order another four, while households that missed the first round are now also able to order up to eight kits. During the first round of distribution of the kits, federal officials said that more than half of US households order…
COVID-19: New 'Deltacron' Variant Identified For First Time COVID-19: New 'Deltacron' Variant Identified For First Time
Covid-19: New 'Deltacron' Variant Identified For First Time A new hybrid COVID-19 strain combining the Delta and Omicron variants of the virus has been confirmed for the first time and is being tracked by the World Health Organization (WHO). Researchers reported that they now have solid evidence regarding the first confirmed case of “Deltacron,” though it is not believed to be considered a cause of concern as the number of vaccines and people with natural immunity continue to rise across the globe. The “Deltacron” variant had previously been suspected in several countries, but scientists in Paris submitted a full genomic sequence on Tuesday, March 8…
COVID-19: New Mask Guidance Coming Soon, CDC Director Says At White House Briefing COVID-19: New Mask Guidance Coming Soon, CDC Director Says At White House Briefing
Covid-19: New Mask Guidance Coming Soon, CDC Director Says At White House Briefing The “new normal” may start to look more like the “old normal” as federal health officials are expected to loosen up COVID-19 mask mandates across the country. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, the director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced during a White House briefing on Wednesday, Feb. 16 that the agency will “soon put guidance in place” regarding mask-wearing. The announcement comes as the country continues to recover from the surge of Omicron cases that mounted over several months around the holiday season. Walensky said that the CDC will monitor certain metrics s…
COVID-19: New 'Stealth Omicron' Strain Identified In Connecticut COVID-19: New 'Stealth Omicron' Strain Identified In Connecticut
Covid-19: New 'Stealth Omicron' Strain Identified In Connecticut The newly emerging “stealth” Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus has been confirmed throughout the region, according to an associate professor at the Yale School of Public Health. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Omicron, which is known as B.1.1.529, has three sub-variants: the original BA.1 that remains the dominant strain, the “stealth” BA.2, which is picking up steam, and the more elusive BA.3. Earlier story - COVID-19: 'Stealth Omicron,' A New Version Of Variant, Identified In US Recently, the new “stealth” variant - named for its difficulty to identify due to a lack…
COVID-19: 'Stealth Omicron,' A New Version Of Variant, Identified In US COVID-19: 'Stealth Omicron,' A New Version Of Variant, Identified In US
Covid-19: 'Stealth Omicron,' A New Version Of Variant, Identified In US A new sub-variant of the dominant COVID-19 Omicron strain could be on the rise, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The new strain, dubbed the “stealth” Omicron variant because it’s difficult to identify due to a lack of certain genetic characteristics, appears to be on the rise, with confirmed cases of the virus in at least 40 countries, including the United States. According to the WHO, Omicron, which is known as B.1.1.529, has three sub-variants: the original BA.1 that remains the dominant strain, the “stealth” BA.2, which is picking up steam, and the more elusive BA.3. Re…
COVID-19: Pfizer Launches Clinical Trial For Vaccine Targeting Omicron Variant COVID-19: Pfizer Launches Clinical Trial For Vaccine Targeting Omicron Variant
Covid-19: Pfizer Launches Clinical Trial For Vaccine Targeting Omicron Variant New York-based Pfizer and its European partner BioNTech have launched a clinical study to evaluate a COVID-19 vaccine that specifically targets the Omicron variant. The study will evaluate the safety and efficacy of an Omicron-based vaccine among healthy adults ages 18 through 55, Pfizer announced on Tuesday, Jan. 25. According to a recent update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Omicron variant is estimated to have accounted for 99.5 percent of circulating variants of COVID-19 in the United States between Sunday, Jan. 9, and Saturday, Jan. 15. Pfizer said up t…
COVID-19: Here's Percentage Of Americans Who Think Pandemic Is Getting Worse, New Poll Says COVID-19: Here's Percentage Of Americans Who Think Pandemic Is Getting Worse, New Poll Says
Covid-19: Here's Percentage Of Americans Who Think Pandemic Is Getting Worse, New Poll Says While some Americans have expressed optimism about the worst of the COVID-19 pandemic being over after the post-holiday surge of infections, the majority still believe that the pandemic is getting worse, according to a new poll. Gallup released new data that found that optimism about the trajectory of the pandemic in the US has fallen precipitously in recent weeks and months, to the highest level in a year. The latest Gallup poll depicting how worried Americans are about the pandemic.Gallup According to the latest poll, which was conducted between Monday, Jan. 3 and Friday, Jan. 14 foun…
COVID-19: CDC Reveals If Getting Vaxxed Is More Effective Than Natural Immunity COVID-19: CDC Reveals If Getting Vaxxed Is More Effective Than Natural Immunity
Covid-19: CDC Reveals If Getting Vaxxed Is More Effective Than Natural Immunity Top federal health officials have dispelled the long-standing question regarding the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccinations versus natural immunity. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a report of a new study that found that both vaccinations and prior infection help to protect against new COVID-19 infections, though the former has proven far more effective in preventing virus-related hospitalizations. In the study, researchers evaluated more than a million COVID-19 cases in California and New York to analyze the risk of COVID-19 infection and hospitalizations among fou…
COVID-19: Here's When White House Will Start Distributing 400 Million N95 Masks COVID-19: Here's When White House Will Start Distributing 400 Million N95 Masks
Covid-19: Here's When White House Will Start Distributing 400 Million N95 Masks With free COVID-19 at-home testing kits being shipped out this week, the White House is set to begin distributing millions of N95 masks as the pandemic approaches the beginning of its third year. President Joe Biden’s administration will make upwards of 400 million N95 masks available for free at thousands of locations across the country beginning this week, officials said on Wednesday, Jan. 19 as the Omicron variant continues to be the dominant strain of the virus. Related story - COVID-19: Website For Ordering Free At-Home Tests Launches Sooner Than Expected Officials said that the plan …
COVID-19: Is It Omicron Or A Common Cold? These Symptoms Could Provide Answer COVID-19: Is It Omicron Or A Common Cold? These Symptoms Could Provide Answer
Covid-19: Is It Omicron Or A Common Cold? These Symptoms Could Provide Answer The highly contagious COVID-19 Omicron variant has been compared to the common cold since they share several similar symptoms, including a sore throat, running nose, and sneezing. But the Omicron strain also has several symptoms more similar to the initial COVID-19 virus. They include fever, chills, and "as it progresses, people will start having cough, shortness of breath and difficulty breathing,” Dr. Hai Shao, an infectious disease physician in San Diego, California, told CBS 8 KFMB-TV in San Diego. “A unique feature of COVID-19 is loss of sense of smell and taste, which you w…
COVID-19: Shortages Of Meat, Eggs Could Be Coming, Supermarket CEO Says COVID-19: Shortages Of Meat, Eggs Could Be Coming, Supermarket CEO Says
Covid-19: Shortages Of Meat, Eggs Could Be Coming, Supermarket CEO Says A shortage of meat and eggs could impact supermarkets as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to cause supply chain issues, according to the CEO of a grocery store chain.  John Catsimatidis, the CEO of supermarket chain Gristedes Foods, told Fox News that the Omicron variant is taking a toll on the supply chain. "What we're seeing the Northeast is price increases," he told the news station. "The prices of eggs are going up, the price of poultry the price of beef, all across the board, because they're supplying the product but increasing the prices to try to control the demand." The Wa…
COVID-19: This Early Symptom Could Be First Sign You Have A Breakthrough Omicron Infection COVID-19: This Early Symptom Could Be First Sign You Have A Breakthrough Omicron Infection
Covid-19: This Early Symptom Could Be First Sign You Have A Breakthrough Omicron Infection With an alarming number of breakthrough cases of COVID-19 amid the outbreak of the highly contagious Omicron variant, an early symptom to look for as a possible first sign you've become infected with the strain has emerged. Dr. Allison Arwady, Chicago's Public Health Commissioner, said during a Facebook Live session on Tuesday, Jan. 11 that sore throat is commonly reported, especially in people with "these more mild breakthrough infections," according to NBC Chicago. "We are definitely seeing sore throat be a predictor in that group," Arwady added. With at-home COVID tests difficult t…
COVID-19: US Sees Record 1.35M Cases In A Day, But Expert Says That Doesn't Tell Whole Story COVID-19: US Sees Record 1.35M Cases In A Day, But Expert Says That Doesn't Tell Whole Story
Covid-19: US Sees Record 1.35M Cases In A Day, But Expert Says That Doesn't Tell Whole Story Fueled by the highly contagious Omicron variant, the United States reported a record-breaking 1.35 million COVID-19 infections in a day on Monday, Jan. 10.  But that may not even be close to the actual number of cases. "We're probably only diagnosing somewhere between one in five and one in 10 actual infections," Former FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb said Sunday, Jan. 9 on CBS-TV. Gottlieb added that there are "probably a lot of people walking around with asymptomatic infection who don't know it, but are spreading it." That scenario could cause staffing issues for hospitals, and…
COVID-19: Wave Of Omicron Cases In US May Be At Turning Point, Virus Expert Says COVID-19: Wave Of Omicron Cases In US May Be At Turning Point, Virus Expert Says
Covid-19: Wave Of Omicron Cases In US May Be At Turning Point, Virus Expert Says The wave of COVID-19 cases in the United States triggered by the highly contagious Omicron variant may be at a turning point, an infectious disease expert says. Former FDA commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb says parts of the nation may be about to pass the peak phase of the outbreak, while other regions will likely soon be hit hard. "f you look what's happening across the East Coast right now in New York City, Washington, DC, Maryland, probably Florida as well have already peaked, maybe Delaware and Rhode Island," Gottlieb said Sunday, Jan. 9 on CBS-TV's "Face the Nation." "You start to see t…