covid-19

Moderna has announced the development of a new version of their COVID-19 vaccine. A study has shown the vaccine to be stronger, longer-lasting, and more effective against variants than the original vaccine. The vaccine is intended to target the original strain of COVID-19 and the beta variant,…

Two new Omicron sub-lineages called BA.5 and BA.4 have been discovered in South Africa and some parts of Europe. There now have been 4 omicron sub-variants BA.2, XE (combination of BA.2 and BA.1), and the two new ones. Currently, there is no indication that the BA.5, BA.4, and XE sub-variants are…

On Monday, a federal judge lifted the mask mandate for air travel. This comes as the country faced a 47% jump in COVID-19 cases in the past two weeks. At the same time, hospitalizations are plateauing nationally, and deaths are dropping from their winter omicron peak. There are also vaccines and…

A study conducted by UCLA researchers between April 2021 and February 2021 found that of 1,038 patients in its COVID Ambulatory program, 309 developed long COVID. This was determined by patients answering a questionnaire to indicate persistent symptoms, including fatigue and shortness of breath,…

When it comes to COVID, innovation is all around us, and is what provides glimmers of hope to finally end the pandemic that has been going on now for two years. A Texas-based biotech company has developed a breath test intended to detect the presence of COVID-19. Despite recording high accuracy,…

It is looking likely that the Biden administration will extend the mask mandate for public transport such as planes, buses, trains, airports, and any transit hub. The mandate was to end on April 18. The masking requirement was first put in place in February 2021 and since then has been extended…

With COVID-19 cases and deaths hitting record lows in the past few months many testing sites have closed due to a lack of demand. The rise in at-home testing availability has also played a role in the decrease in testing sites across the United States. Also, the decrease in federal funding for…

Many underserved counties and areas are using stimulus funds to build new and local health centers for their communities, which are seeming to have instant positive effects. Even though municipalities were able to choose where they wanted to spend the money, most decided to use it to up their…

It has been no secret throughout the pandemic that those with chronic medical conditions, especially diabetes, are at higher risk of dying from COVID-19 infection, or experiencing symptoms of long covid. About 30-40% of all US COVID deaths have been in people who have diabetes. Medical…

According to recent CDC data, the BA.2 subvariant of the omicron variant is rapidly spreading across the United States, accounting for approximately 72 percent of all new Covid-19 cases. Despite its rapid growth, health experts in the United States believe there is no cause for concern.…

Since January, the number of COVID-19 cases in the United States has been dropping. They, however, may have reached a standstill as the Omicron subvariant, BA.2, has become the primary source of illnesses. Meanwhile, in China, which has had few surges throughout the pandemic, there has been a…

The United States Senate approved a $10 billion COVID-19 funding deal. The plan is mainly focused on funding the purchase of treatments and vaccines as well as maintaining nationwide testing. Half of the $10 billion is going towards the purchase and development of antiviral pills and $750 million…

A new COVID-19 variant called XE has been found in the United Kingdom and has infected 637 people as of March 22 according to the U.K Health Security Agency. The variant is a combination BA.1 omicron variant and the subvariant BA.2 omicron. This combination makes XE a recombinant variant. Dr. John…

US Senators are currently in the midst of negotiation and finalizing a $10 billion coronavirus aid bill as they await analysis from the Congressional Budget Office. The package has garnered bipartisan support. The bill is expected to contribute to therapeutics including g vaccinations and will be…