Update On COVID-19

CDC released today updated recommendations for how people can protect themselves and their communities from respiratory viruses, including COVID-19. The new guidance brings a unified approach to addressing risks from a range of common respiratory viral illnesses, such as COVID-19, flu, and RSV, which can cause significant health impacts and strain on hospitals and health care workers.

CDC is making updates to the recommendations now because the U.S. is seeing far fewer hospitalizations and deaths associated with COVID-19 and because we have more tools than ever to combat flu, COVID, and RSV.

“Today’s announcement reflects the progress we have made in protecting against severe illness from COVID-19,” said CDC Director Dr. Mandy Cohen. “However, we still must use the commonsense solutions we know work to protect ourselves and others from serious illness from respiratory viruses—this includes vaccination, treatment, and staying home when we get sick.”

When people get sick with a respiratory virus, the updated guidance recommends that they stay home and away from others. For people with COVID-19 and influenza, treatment is available and can lessen symptoms and lower the risk of severe illness. The recommendations suggest returning to normal activities when, for at least 24 hours, symptoms are improving overall, and if a fever was present, it has been gone without use of a fever-reducing medication.

Source: CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Update On COVID-19

More U.S. hospitals are requiring masks and limiting visitors as health officials face an expected but still nasty post-holiday spike in flu, COVID-19 and other illnesses.

While many experts say this season likely won’t prove to be as deadly as some other recent winters, it still could mean hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations and many thousands of deaths across the country.

“What we're seeing right now, in the first week of January, is really an acceleration — of flu cases, in particular,” said Dr. Mandy Cohen, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

COVID-19 cases are causing more severe disease than the flu but have been rising less dramatically.

Source: Associated Press

Update On COVID-19

COVID variant BA.2.86 triples in new CDC estimates, now 8.8% of cases.

Nearly 1 in 10 new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. are from the BA.2.86 variant, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated Monday, nearly triple what the agency estimated the highly mutated variant's prevalence was two weeks ago.

Among the handful of regions with enough specimens reported from testing laboratories, BA.2.86's prevalence is largest in the Northeast: 13.1% of cases in the New York and New Jersey region are blamed on the strain.

After weeks of largely slowing or flat trends, the CDC said this month that figures like emergency department visits had begun to increase nationwide from COVID-19. Virtually all regions of the country are now seeing at least slight increases.

Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/

Update On COVID-19

Governor Hochul Receives Updated COVID-19 Vaccine

Governor Kathy Hochul received her updated COVID-19 vaccine. Governor Hochul received a Johnson & Johnson vaccine in March 2021, her first booster dose of the Moderna COVID-19 booster in October 2021, and her second booster dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 booster in April of 2022.

“Vaccination is a critical public health tool to protect us against becoming seriously ill with COVID-19,” Governor Hochul said. “I urge every New Yorker to talk to their doctor about the new COVID-19 vaccine and call your local pharmacy to schedule an appointment. We have the tools to fight this virus – now, it's up to us to use them.”

Reminder: Because the federal public health emergency for COVID-19 has ended, labs are no longer required to report negative SARS-CoV-2 test results. Multiple labs have stopped reporting these results, hence, NYC is no longer able to accurately calculate percent positivity and testing rates for COVID-19.

Source: https://www.governor.ny.gov/

Update On COVID-19

A Boost in the Fight Against COVID-19

A bivalent COVID-19 booster will help eligible New Yorkers maximize their protection, prolong the vaccine’s durability, and safeguard our communities against the virus.

The New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend individuals get vaccinated and stay up to date with all recommended doses.

Booster doses are free and available statewide. If you have questions, talk to your healthcare provider, your child’s healthcare provider, or vaccine administrator.

Note: Because the federal public health emergency for COVID-19 has ended, labs are no longer required to report negative SARS-CoV-2 test results. Multiple labs have stopped reporting these results, hence, NYC is no longer able to accurately calculate percent positivity and testing rates for COVID-19.

Source: https://www.governor.ny.gov/

*** If you are unable to view this video on your computer or device, no problem, visit our hompage at www.a1ceus.com