Disease Prevention

Facing an alarming surge in coronavirus cases that threatens to overwhelm the nation’s hospital system, President Biden stepped up his administration’s pandemic response again on Tuesday and tried to reassure an anxious nation, telling Americans that “we should all be concerned about Omicron, but not panicked.”

In a White House address, Mr. Biden directed his defense secretary to get 1,000 military medical professionals ready to help where needed; he announced new vaccination and testing sites; and he said his administration was buying 500 million rapid Covid-19 tests to distribute free to the public beginning in January through a new website.

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Misinformation about COVID. Experts explain why and how to spot false claims

Submitted by mike kraft on Tue, 2021-12-21 11:40

The omicron variant is fueling misinformation about COVID. Experts explain why and how to spot false claims. Public health experts say the lack of instant data on the omicron variant is prompting many people to seek out whatever information they can find. Adrianna Rodriguez USA TODAY

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WHO chief warns over festive gatherings because of fasts preading Omicron

Submitted by mike kraft on Tue, 2021-12-21 11:24

WHO chief warns over festive gatherings: ‘An event cancelled is better than a life cancelled’ Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says Omicron is infecting people who have been vaccinated and could double its infections every 1.5 to three days Guard

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In speech this afternoon, Biden to pledge 500M free COVID-19 tests to counter omicron

Submitted by mike kraft on Tue, 2021-12-21 08:55

Biden to pledge 500M free COVID-19 tests to counter omicron | AP News WASHINGTON (AP) — With the omicron variant on the march, President Joe Biden plans to announce 500 million free rapid tests for Americans, increased support for hospitals under strain and a redoubling of vaccination and boosting efforts. AP NEWS

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CDC struggles to track U.S. Covid cases as Omicron variant spreads quickly

Submitted by mike kraft on Mon, 2021-12-20 18:59

‘It is embarrassing’: CDC struggles to track Covid cases as Omicron looms The U.S. was behind other countries in charting the spread of disease in the pandemic’s disastrous early months. It’s still behind as new variants threaten to disrupt the winter. Erin Banco POLITICO

As the world experiences new, more transmissible Covid-19 variants, scientists and health officials in the U.S. are still struggling to gather accurate and timely domestic data to help inform policy decisions to safeguard Americans.

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U.S. SUgeron General says there will be a "stark difference" between the experience of those who are vaccinated and boosted versus those who are unvaccinated.

Submitted by mike kraft on Mon, 2021-12-20 12:31

U.S. surgeon general "worried" about unvaccinated people amid Omicron spread and COVID testing rush

(CBS) As COVID-19 infections continue to rise ahead of the holidays, experts are warning that there are tough days ahead in the fight against the virus — especially for those who are still unvaccinated.

The average number of new daily cases has nearly doubled since the beginning of November, with the U.S. now averaging 156,000 cases a day. On top of that, the fast-spreading Omicron variant has now been detected in all but five states.

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Some countries shorten COVID-19 booster timelines in face of Omicron surge

Submitted by mike kraft on Mon, 2021-12-20 12:07

As Omicron threatens a global surge, some countries shorten COVID-19 booster timelines A growing number of countries are reducing the wait time for COVID-19 vaccine boosters from six months to as few as three in a bid to ward off a new surge in infections from the Omicron variant. Deena Beasley Reuters

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Prelimninary Research Indicates Most of the World’s Vaccines Likely Won’t Prevent Infection From Omicron

Submitted by mike kraft on Mon, 2021-12-20 11:07

A growing body of preliminary research suggests the Covid vaccines used in most of the world offer almost no defense against becoming infected by the highly contagious Omicron variant.

All vaccines still seem to provide a significant degree of protection against serious illness from Omicron, which is the most crucial goal. But only the Pfizer and Moderna shots, when reinforced by a booster, appear to have initial success at stopping infections, and these vaccines are unavailable in most of the world.

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