The Omicron Wave Is Receding. What Happens Now? – NPR
[10 min audio at the link] Cases rates are dropping, but the number of people dying each day is not. Many hospitals are still overwhelmed. NPR’s Will Stone reports. Deaths are a lagging indicator — meaning they, too, will soon fall as the omicron wave continues to recede. What does the next phase of the pandemic look like? NPR’s Allison Aubrey explains why some public health experts think the coronavirus may not disappear — but become easier to live with.
How Omicron escapes from antibodies – MIT
A computational study shows that dozens of mutations help the virus’ spike protein evade antibodies that target SARS-CoV-2. A new study from MIT suggests that the dozens of mutations in the spike protein of the Omicron variant help it to evade all four of the classes of antibodies that can target the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19.
Fast-Spreading Omicron Variant Less Likely to Stop Reinfection – Bloomberg
New studies are emerging that suggest the latest version of the highly-infectious omicron variant is transmitting even faster than the original, and mild cases of the first may not offer much protection against future infections.
When Omicron Isn’t So Mild – NYT
Regina Perez, 57, had never been hospitalized for her lifelong asthma condition until she came down with Covid this month. She started having difficulty breathing, even after taking her usual medications. “It kind of took over, almost,” she said. She wound up at St. Luke’s Hospital in Allentown, Pa., for most of a week at a time when nearly all the Covid patients sampled had contracted the Omicron variant.
Covid Hospital Admissions Are Down in 34 States, Easing Staffing Crises – Bloomberg
U.S. hospital admissions for Covid-19 are receding in 34 states and the nation’s capital, easing the health-care staffing crises that were widespread at the start of the year.
One Million Deaths: The Hole the Pandemic Made in U.S. Society – Wall Street Journal
Two years into the Covid-19 pandemic, America’s death toll is closing in on one million. Federal authorities estimate that 987,456 more people have died since early 2020 than would have otherwise been expected, based on long-term trends. People killed by coronavirus infections account for the overwhelming majority of cases. Thousands more died from derivative causes, like disruptions in their healthcare and a spike in overdoses.
The latest in covid dining etiquette? South Korea’s new nose-only mask. – Washington Post
A South Korean company has released a new mask designed to help people feel more comfortable dining indoors by covering just their nose while they are eating or drinking. Behold: the “kosk.”
Vaccine Headlines
Should We Prioritize the Development of Omicron-Specific Boosters? – MedPageToday
They may arrive too late for the current wave, but it doesn’t mean they don’t hold future value. The identification of the Omicron variant (B.1.1.529) in South Africa in November 2021 — featuring an extensive set of 30 mutations in the spike protein alone, including 15 in the neutralizing antibody targeting receptor binding domain (RBD) — raises the question of whether Omicron merits its own variant-specific spike vaccine. While data are accumulating, early indications suggest we may not need one to weather the current Omicron wave. However, given the breadth of genetic changes and divergence from prior strains, it could be a useful variant to include as part of a next generation SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.
Another COVID Vaccine Garners Full FDA Approval – MedPageToday
Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine (Spikevax) has been fully approved by the FDA for adults ages 18 and up. The two-dose 100 μg primary series has been available under emergency use authorization (EUA) since late December 2020. FDA noted that an EUA remains in effect for a third 100 μg dose of Moderna’s vaccine for certain immunocompromised adults, as well as a 50 μg booster dose for adults at least 5 months after completing a primary series with any authorized or approved COVID vaccine.
Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for young children could be available soon – NPR
Children 5 and younger can’t get the COVID-19 vaccine yet, but that could change later this month. Pfizer-BioNTech is expected to soon file a submission for emergency use to the Food and Drug Administration for a coronavirus vaccine regimen for children aged 6 months to 5 years, NPR confirms.
New Orleans will be the first major school district to mandate COVID vaccinations – NPR
As school systems across the U.S. struggle to keep classrooms open amid the pandemic, New Orleans is set to become the nation’s first major district to mandate COVID-19 vaccinations for children 5 and up, though state regulations will allow parents to opt out easily.
Clinical Considerations
The omicron subvariant is more contagious, but vaccinated people are less likely to spread – CNBC
Danish scientists found the BA.2 subvariant, which has rapidly become dominant in Denmark, spread more easily across all groups regardless of sex, age, household size and vaccination status. However, only unvaccinated people demonstrated higher transmissibility of BA.2 compared to the BA.1 omicron strain, which could be due to their higher viral load. The probability for spreading within a household was 39% for BA.2 versus 29% for BA.1, the study found.
Study identifies those most at risk of long COVID – MedNewsToday
Researchers have been trying to understand long COVID to determine which patients are at higher risk and to find treatments. A new study has found four factors associated with future long COVID symptoms, including the Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) — a type of herpes virus — which is reactivated early on in the disease. Among the other factors are certain autoantibodies, which are also present in autoimmune conditions and in people who have type 2 diabetes. These findings could help scientists find ways to prevent long COVID or further explore treatments such as antiviral therapy. [related study in Cell]
Long Covid: Hidden lung damage spotted on scans – BBC
Scientists used a novel xenon gas scan method to pick up lung abnormalities not identified by routine scans. They focused on 11 people who had not required hospital care when they first caught Covid but experienced long-lasting breathlessness after their initial infection.
Official Reporting for February 1, 2022
World Health Organization
Weekly Epi Update Feb 1 (latest release)
New Cases: 1,913,949
Confirmed Cases: 376,478,335
Deaths: 5,666,064
Johns Hopkins
Confirmed Cases: 380,575,810
Deaths: 5,681,947
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Total cases: 75,012,446 (+676,874 New Cases)
Total deaths: 884,853 (+2,592 New Deaths)
Science and Tech
Roles of the Gut Microbiota in Severe SARS-CoV-2 Infection – Cytokine & Growth Factor Reviews
To better understand roles of the gut microbiota in SARS-CoV-2 infection, respiratory viruses were used as a reference. •SARS-CoV-2 infection can disturb the gut microbiota, potentially leading to cytokine storms and dysbiosis of the gut–lung axis. •Maintaining homeostasis of the gut microbiota is required for treating severe COVID-19.
Psychological and Sociological Impact
When the Dying COVID Patient Is 23 – MedPageToday
Palliative care conversations have taken on a new meaning during the pandemic. I walk into a conference room with multiple family members who flew in from out of state to support the patient. There are consultants from neurology, cardiology, nephrology, intensive care, ECMO, vascular surgery, and me. I’m there as the palliative care physician.
Pandemic Response Generates Thousands of Tons of Covid Waste – Bloomberg
The response to the pandemic has produced tens of thousands of tons of extra medical waste, challenging disposal systems and threatening human health and the environment, according to a World Health Organization report.
When Your Office Decides the Pandemic Is Over – New York Times
The burden shouldn’t be on you to draw boundaries, but you will have to do it. Your resentment is understandable. As we enter the third year of living with Covid-19, it’s hard to not be absolutely furious with the significant number of Americans who have chosen to not vaccinate or wear masks, and otherwise refuse to do the bare minimum to support public health. To work with people who are either actively or passively defiant while managing pandemic fatigue is incredibly trying.
Published Research
An in silico analysis identifies drugs potentially modulating the cytokine storm triggered by SARS-CoV-2 infection – Nature
Multiple Early Factors Anticipate Post-Acute COVID-19 Sequelae – Cell
Misinformation, Disinformation, and Conspiracy Theories
Joe Rogan Apologizes Amid Spotify’s Vaccine Controversy – Bloomberg
Joe Rogan pledged more balance and better research for his podcast in an apology aimed at quelling growing controversy about misleading coronavirus information that plunged Spotify Technology SA into controversy last week.
Two Long Island, New York, nurses were arrested and are accused of making over $1.5 million in selling fake COVID-19 vaccination cards, authorities said. Julie DeVuono, owner of Wild Child Pediatric Healthcare in the city of Amityville, and employee Marissa Urraro are accused of handing out vaccination cards and charging $220 for adults and $85 for children, according to the Suffolk County district attorney’s office.
Coping with COVID
Did you know a Tesla could do this?
and… a COVID meme : )
