What to know about the covid-19 treatment molnupiravir – Washington Post

Molnupiravir is an antiviral pill by pharmaceutical giant Merck that aims to prevent mild to moderate cases of covid-19 from becoming severe cases that result in hospitalization or death. People who have covid-19 take the drug twice a day for five days, starting within five days of the onset of symptoms.

Covid deaths soar in Ukraine as the country struggles with fake vaccine certificates – NYT

The Ministry of Health in Ukraine, the country with the lowest rate of coronavirus vaccination in Europe, reported on Tuesday that 538 people had died of Covid-19 in the country over the previous 24 hours. It was the highest daily death toll since the beginning of the pandemic. The country’s health officials are struggling with two interconnected and vexing problems: widespread vaccine skepticism, and illegal schemes selling fake Covid credentials that people use to get around restrictions intended to slow the virus’ spread, like a new rule taking effect Thursday that requires a vaccination certificate or negative test to board a train.

New mutation of Delta variant under close watch in UK – BBC

Delta is the UK’s dominant variant, but latest official data suggests 6% of Covid cases that have been genetically sequenced are of a new type.
AY.4.2, which some are calling “Delta Plus”, contains mutations that might give the virus survival advantages.

Cold-weather states showing highest rate of new cases – Washington Post

Alaska is leading the low-temperature states with an increase in the number of infections, with 123 new cases per 100,000 residents on a seven-day rolling average. Montana, Wyoming, Idaho and North Dakota also are seeing a rise in infections as the weather cools, reducing opportunities to socialize outdoors and limiting physical distancing.

How long might ‘natural immunity’ last? – MedNewsToday

Researchers have conducted an analysis of previously published data on viruses similar to SARS-CoV-2. They set out to determine how long immunity following COVID-19 might last. The research shows that unvaccinated people can expect immunity against reinfection to last 3–61 months after developing COVID-19 — if the virus is still circulating in the community.

Romania Reports Highest Daily Covid-19 Cases, Record Deaths – Bloomberg

Romania reported the highest number of deaths from Covid-19 since the start of the pandemic, forcing the country to seek assistance from the World Health Organization in an attempt to limit the burden on already overwhelmed hospitals.

After a record 94 cases in New Zealand, experts say the peak is yet to come – Washington Post

New Zealand posted a record number of new coronavirus cases Tuesday — 94 — with the delta variant making an impact in a country that had once appeared to have beaten the pandemic and emerged almost covid-free.

Long Covid’s Early Origins – Bloomberg Podcast

With a loss of smell and a high fever, New Yorker Fiona Lowenstein had a classic case of Covid-19 before she knew what a classic Covid case was. But there was more she didn’t know: she was also about to join a burgeoning group we now know as “long haulers.” On this episode, Bloomberg’s Jason Gale traces the early origins of a patient-led movement that drew lessons from AIDS activism to demand that the medical establishment listen.

Some Workers Want Covid-19 Recovery Accepted as Evidence of Immunity – WSJ

Some workers opposed to vaccine mandates on the job are increasingly pointing to the same reason for their objection: They already had Covid-19. Nurses, factory workers and professional athletes are among employees asking that immunity from prior Covid-19 infection be recognized alongside vaccination as sufficient protection against the virus.

Colin Powell’s Death From Breakthrough Covid Is Rare Event, Data Show – Bloomberg

The death of former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell following a breakthrough Covid-19 infection shines a high-profile spotlight on what has been a rare phenomenon.

Here is what scientists know about the risk of breakthrough Covid deaths. – NYT

The death of former Secretary of State Colin L. Powell on Monday from complications of Covid-19 has provided fuel for vaccine skeptics and opponents, who immediately seized on the news that Mr. Powell had been vaccinated to stoke doubts about the effectiveness of the vaccines.

The coronavirus is still mutating. But will that matter? ‘We need to keep the respect for this virus.’ – Washington Post

A drop in infections offers hope that the end of the pandemic is in sight. The virus may have something to say about that.

Vaccine Headlines

FDA Nearing Approval for Mixing and Matching Covid-19 Booster Shots – Wall Street Journal

The Food and Drug Administration is moving to soon allow people to receive booster shots that are different from their first Covid-19 vaccine doses, people familiar with the matter said.

What Can Convince People to Just Get Vaccinated Already? – Wired

Researchers are struggling to figure out why people don’t get their Covid shots, and what language might persuade them. Saying “You gotta” seems to work.

FDA panel endorses a lower dose of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for booster shot – Market Watch

The initial Moderna vaccination consists of two 100-microgram shots, but Moderna says a single 50-microgram shot should be enough for a booster

COVID-19 Vaccines Protect the Family, Too – NIH Blog

Any of the available COVID-19 vaccines offer remarkable personal protection against the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2. So, it also stands to reason that folks who are vaccinated will reduce the risk of spreading the virus to family members within their households. That protection is particularly important when not all family members can be immunized—as when there are children under age 12 or adults with immunosuppression in the home. But just how much can vaccines help to protect families from COVID-19 when only some, not all, in the household have immunity?

Clinical Considerations

The neurocognitive impact of long COVID – Medical News Today

For many people, long COVID has associations with serious neurological and neurocognitive impairments, a phenomenon sometimes known as neuro-COVID. Why does this happen, and who is most at risk? In this Special Feature and podcast, we speak to two researchers and a person with lived experience of neuro-COVID to find out more.

Higher Mortality With ECMO in Second COVID-19 Wave – MedPage Today

The risk of dying while being treated for acute respiratory distress syndrome due to COVID-19 with extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) — often a last resort — more than doubled during the second wave of the pandemic, researchers reported.

Official Reporting for October 18, 2021

Adele has release a new song to take your mind off COVID for three minutes