COVID-19 Updates
From the Journals
Unvaccinated 10 times more likely to be hospitalized for Omicron
Vaccinated, hospitalized patients were more often older and already dealing with other health conditions, a new study finds.
News from the FDA/CDC
Children and COVID: Weekly cases close out August with a second straight increase
The vaccination effort did not finish the month with a flourish.
Feature
Asymptomatic infections drive many epidemics, including monkeypox, polio, and COVID
“I think 80% of [COVID] transmissions are done by 20% of infected people because those are the ones who are shedding the most virus.”
News from the FDA/CDC
CDC gives final approval to Omicron COVID-19 vaccine boosters
“If you are eligible, there is no bad time to get your COVID-19 booster,” said CDC Director Rochelle Walensky, MD.
Feature
Many young kids with COVID may show no symptoms
The relationship between symptoms and viral load also differed between adults and young children in a new study.
News
FDA authorizes updated COVID boosters to target newest variants
The agency cited data to support the safety and efficacy of this next generation of mRNA vaccines targeted toward variants of concern.
News from the FDA/CDC
Children and COVID: New cases increase; hospital admissions could follow
Parents do not seem to be rushing to have children vaccinated before school starts.
Feature
How do you live with COVID? One doctor’s personal experience
Early in 2020, Anne Peters, MD, caught COVID-19. The author of Medscape’s “Peters on Diabetes” column was sick in March 2020 before state-mandated...
From the Journals
Paxlovid reduces risk of COVID death by 79% in older adults
“Treatment with Paxlovid significantly reduces the risk of hospitalization and death from COVID-19.”
Conference Coverage
COVID-19 vaccine safe in patients with heart failure
There should be no concern about cardiovascular side effects from mRNA vaccines in patients with HF; moreover, vaccines provide a survival benefit...
From the Journals
Hospitalized COVID-19 patients with GI symptoms have worse outcomes
Patients with GI symptoms were more likely to have higher Charlson Comorbidity Index scores and be 50 years and older.