Updates – COVID-19 Action Hub

Updates

NEWS FLASH

In this section, you will find the latest relevant developments of the COVID-19 pandemic.

04 March 2022

Artificial Intelligence-Powered Apps Helped Protect Businesses from COVID-19 Risks

A new study undertaken by Anglia Ruskin University (ARU) and published in the journal Information Systems Frontiers has found that Artificial Intelligence (AI) apps helped….

02 March 2022

Vaccinated Population less Likely to Develop Long COVID

A new study shows that receiving two doses of a coronavirus vaccine before a SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with reduced long COVID symptoms after 12 weeks.

28 February 2022

Study Finds that Deaths Among Those with Dementia Rose during the COVID-19 Pandemic

A study published by JAMA Neurology has found that older adults with Alzheimer’s disease and other cognitive impairment had higher rates of death during the COVID-19 pandemic than in previous years.

23 February 2022

WHO Announces Second Hub for Training Countries to Produce COVID-19 Vaccines

The World Health Organization confirmed that it has set up a technology transfer hub in South Korea to train low- and middle-income countries to produce their own vaccines (based on mRNA technology)

23 February 2022

ILO and UNDP Joint Statement for a Human-Centred Recovery from COVID-19

International Labour Organization (ILO) and United Nations Development Program (UNDP) joint statement for a human-centred approach for recovery from COVID-19 crisis and accelerated action on jobs, informality and social protection.

22 February 2022

According to WHO New COVID-19 Cases and Deaths Are Dropping for the Third Week in a Role

The number of new coronavirus cases around the world fell by 21% in the last week, marking the third consecutive week that COVID-19 cases have dropped, said the World Health Organization.

22 February 2022

New Study Suggests that Pandemic-Related Stress Can Impact Uninfected People’s Brain Health

New research published in Brain, Behavior and Immunity indicates that even for individuals who have steered clear of becoming infected with SARS-CoV-2, the societal and lifestyle disruptions during the COVID-19…

18 February 2022

Review Shows that Long COVID is a Global Issue for Patients and Healthcare Systems

After reviewing the effects of COVID-19 on patients, a study led by Oxford University shows that the current understanding of long COVID and options to treat it, is emerging as a major long-term issue for global healthcare systems.

03 February 2022

Pre-Infection Vitamin D Deficiency Is Associated with Increased Disease Severity and Mortality among Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients

A study published in Israel show a correlation between vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 severity and mortality.

02 February 2022

Pfizer Vaccine for Children under 5 Years Old may be Available in U.S. by the End of February

In the U.S. the vaccine manufactures Pfizer and its partner, BioNTech, are expected to submit to the Food and Drug Administration

01 February 2022

The Huge Volumes of COVID-19-Related Hospital Waste Is a Threatening Health According to WHO

A report released from WHO warns of potential risks caused by the huge amount of hospital waste generated since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

31 January 2022

New Study Suggests that Placenta may Block COVID-19 Transmission to Babies during Pregnancy

A study published by the American Journal of Pathology found that the placenta may be shading an enzyme (called ACE-2)

selective focus photography of USA flaglet

28 January 2022

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) warns about neglect or delayed treatment for tropical Diseases in Americas due to COVID-19 Pandemic

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) is urging governments to provide comprehensive and….

selective focus photography of smiling boy in gray shirt during daytime

27 January 2022

Child masking associated with reduced COVID-19 related child care closures

A new Yale study found that child care programs in the U. S. that practiced child masking early in the COVID-19 pandemic (May-June 2020)

person in brown long sleeve shirt with white bandage on right hand

21 January 2022

Study links depression symptoms with believing COVID-19 vaccine misinformation

According to a new study published by JAMA Network Open people who experience symptoms of depression may be more susceptible….

14 January 2022

The Omicron Variant Likely to Cause Less Damage to the Lungs

New studies suggests that the Omicron variant may have a reduced ability to infect the lungs and consequently causing a less severe disease compared with the Delta variant.

14 January 2022

Experts Wary on Variant Wave Reaching the Peak in Europe

The surge in coronavirus cases caused by the Omicron variant seems to have peaked in some parts of Europe.

14 January 2022

Other Diseases may also Benefit from the Technological Advancements Achieved when Developing COVID-19 Vaccines

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic and the race for finding viable vaccines the development of mRNA-based technology represent an

red and white flag under blue sky during daytime

12 January 2022

Quebec Study to Impose Health Tax on Unvaccinated Canadians

The Canadian province of Quebec, which is the most affected by COVID-19 cases in the whole country, announced that it would be the first in the nation to financially penalize….

10 January 2022

LGBTQ+ People Experience Higher Unemployment as a Result of COVID-19 Pandemic

According to a study published in Sexuality Research and Social Policy, the LGBTQ+ community seems to experience more social-economic negative outcomes due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

05 January 2022

‘Flurona’: Israel records its first case of patient with COVID-19 and flu at same time

Israel confirmed its first case of an individual infected with both the seasonal flu and COVID-19 at the same time. The two infections were found in an unvaccinated pregnant….

05 January 2022

Bharat Biotech Gets Approval to Test Nasal COVID-19 Shot as Booster

In India the, Bharat Biotech received the approval for its nasal COVID-19 vaccine to be used as a booster shot. The vaccine maker submitted the late-stage…

04 January 2022

Babies Born during the First Year of Pandemic Score Slightly Lower on a Developmental Screening Test According to a New Study

Columbia researchers found that babies born during the pandemic’s first year scored lower on a developmental screening test…

28 December 2021

Child Hospitalizations Rates Raise up 30% in Last Week as Omicron Variant Spreads

According to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention child hospitalizations due to COVID-19 increased….

17 December 2021

According to a New Global Study Tough Mask Mandates Linked to Fewer COVID-19 Deaths

According to a large international study stricter mask mandates are linked with a reduction in COVID-19 deaths.

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20 December 2021

Alcohol Consumption During the COVID-19 Pandemic Projected to Cause More Liver Disease and Deaths

Alcohol sales and consumption increased since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the effect of the increase in consumption….

21 December 2021

WHO Sounds Warning Over Fast-Spreading Omicron Variant

The Omicron variant of the coronavirus is spreading faster than the Delta variant and is causing infections in people already vaccinated….

22 December 2021

A Genetic Study Finds that Rapid Immune Response in Children May Protect Them from COVID-19

The study, published in Nature could help to explain why children are much less likely to become seriously ill from SARS-CoV-2.

man in white medical scrub lying on hospital bed

22 December 2021

Long COVID: 3 in 10 COVID-19 Patients Not Fully Recovered After 1 year

A recent study found that around 30 percent of individuals hospitalized with acute COVID-19 may continue to experience long COVID symptoms….

22 December 2021

U.S. Authorized the First Pill to Treat COVID-19 Developed by Pfizer

In the U.S. the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) agency authorized the first pill to treat COVID-19.

23 December 2021

Study Identifies Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Hospital Mortality for COVID-19 Patients

According to a study led by researchers from Harvard Medical School during the COVID-19 pandemic,…

27 December 2021

Study Suggests that Coronavirus Infection May Increase Chances of Long Term Kidney Damage

A recent study shows that the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 infects the kidneys and contributes to tissue scarring.

18 November 2021

The regional health agency for the Americas, PAHO, alert to the risks of building resistant bacteria due to the misuse of antibiotics during the pandemic

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) warned about the overuse….

18 November 2021

According to a new Study, chronic loss of smell from COVID-19 is a growing public health concern

A new study from JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, found that at least 1 in 10 people that experience loss of smell as a result of COVID-19….

19 November 2021

Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 less likely to be vaccinated

Patients with COVID-19 hospitalization and disease progression to death or mechanical ventilation are significantly less likely….

21 November 2021

UNICEF warns that global education will need effective leadership and coordination to recover after the pandemic

Patients with COVID-19 hospitalization and disease progression to death or mechanical ventilation are significantly less likely….

07 December 2021

Omicron variant may increase risk of SARS-CoV-2 reinfection

A South African study has found high rates of reinfection among those with previous confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections since the beginning of November.

07 December 2021

Time of day matters in antibody response to COVID-19 vaccine

An observational study finds that antibody levels are higher when healthcare workers received the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in the afternoon.

09 December 2021

World Health Organization (WHO) Warns Against Vaccine Hoarding as Poorer Countries Face Lack of Access to Doses

The World Health Organization warned wealthy countries against hoarding COVID-19 vaccines for booster shots….

14 December 2021

Analysis finds that Up to 40% of COVID-19 cases are asymptomatic

A study published by JAMA Network Open found that at least 40% of the COVID-19 cases are asymptomatic early in the illness.

20 September 2021

UNDP launches a report on the impact of Income Support Programs (ISPs) and COVID-19 in Developing Countries

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) published a study evaluating….

13 October 2021

Most countries of the Americas to reach COVID-19 vaccination target by end of year

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) said that Latin America and….

13 October 2021

Experts study evidence of the neurocognitive impact of long COVID-19

After severe COVID-19 infection, many people report having long-term symptoms experiencing up ….

22 October 2021

U.S. urges all WTO members to support intellectual property waiver for COVID-19 vaccines

The White House called all World Trade Organization members to support

29 October 2021

G20 set to commit to cutting period to develop vaccines in pandemic

Leaders of the world’s 20 largest economies are set to commit to supporting efforts to shorten to 100….

flags on green grass field near brown concrete building during daytime

29 October 2021

A new report on biodiversity and pandemics from United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) warns that pandemics may be more frequent in the future and offers policy options to reduce risks

According to many studies more pandemics are likely to happen….

man in white chef uniform standing near white table

01 November 2021

Researchers reveal a strategy for next-generation of COVID-19 vaccines

A study led by the Garvan Institute of Medical Research has revealed a guide to developing COVID-19….

02 November 2021

Antidepressant may cuts risk of hospitalization and death related to COVID-19 by 32% according to new study

A clinical trial has found that fluvoxamine, a selective serotonin….

01 October 2021

In U.S., More Screen Time and Less Physical Activity During Pandemic May Affect Kids and Teens Mental Health

With the closure of schools and cancellation of youth activities (such as sports….

06 October 2021

Study Reveals Why Some People Get COVID Toe Condition

Scientists believe they can explain why some people infected by COVID-19 develop lesions on their toes and even fingers.

07 October 2021

Alzheimer’s and COVID-19 Share a Genetic Risk Factor

New findings of a research led by UCL identified an anti-viral gene that impacts the risk of both Alzheimer’s disease and severe COVID-19.

11 October 2021

Continued COVID-19 Levels of Hygiene Could Transform Infection Control and Fight Antibacterial Resistance

The raising of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) predominantly in areas of high….

11 October 2021

Depression Rates in the U.S. More Than Tripled During the Pandemic

A new study examining the COVID-19 pandemic affects on mental health found that not only has the pandemic caused….

13 October 2021

Suicides Among Japanese Children at Record High During Pandemic

According to Japaneses authorities child suicides in Japan are at he highest level they have been in more than four decades.

14 October 2021

Harassment and Abuse Common for Scientists Who Speak About COVID-19

According to a new report doctors and researchers who discuss COVID-19 in the media frequently face abuse and harassment….

14 October 2021

Research Confirms Findings of High Viral Loads of SARS-Co-V-2 in Children

A new study published at the Journal of Infectious Diseases showed that infants, children and adolescents

08 September 2021

According to the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Countries Should Prioritize Pregnant, Breastfeeding Women for COVID-19 Shots

Countries in the Americas should prioritize…

17 September 2021

More Sleep Boosts Teens’ Ability to Cope with the Pandemic

According to a new research, encouraging better sleeping habits could help reduce teens’ stress and improve their ability to cope in times of crisis.

17 September 2021

Deep Learning Helps Predict New Drug Combinations to Fight COVID-19

Trying to identify the right synergistic drug combinations to fight the rapidly spreading SARS-CoV-2, the scientists from MIT’s Computer Science…

18 September 2021

Long-haul COVID-19 in Kids Typically Ends Within 3 Months According to Study

New study finds that kids and teens rarely have symptoms of long COVID-19 for more than 12 weeks.

22 September 2021

Lack of Outdoor Time Likely Impacted Quality of Life During Pandemic

According to a survey published by the Journal of Sleep Research roughly half of adults worldwide…

27 September 2021

Pfizer Begins Study of Oral Drug for Prevention of COVID-19

Pfizer announced that it has started a large study testing its investigational oral antiviral drug for the prevention of COVID-19 infection.

man in white scrub suit lying on hospital bed

29 September 2021

Study Reveals High Level of COVID-19–Related Deaths Among Kidney Transplant Recipients

A research analyzed data in U.S. showing that kidney transplant recipients and individuals….

29 September 2021

Why Some People are Less Naturally Resistant to COVID-19

A research led by U.K. and Brazil’s experts found the possible responsible enzyme for alerting the immune system about the COVID-19 infection.

11 August 2021

New study finds that domestic control of COVID-19 takes priority over international travel bans

According to a paper written by urban and environmental economics expert, taming domestic transmission of….

13 August 2021

Pollution from wildfires may increase COVID-19 risk in affected regions

The microscopic particle PM2.5, generated by the wildfires smoke can increase the risk for COVID-19….

15 August 2021

Children hospitalized with COVID-19 in U.S. hits record number

The number of children hospitalized with COVID-19 in the United States hit a record high of just over 1,900….

16 August 2021

Study finds genetic risk of COVID-19

An analysis of the DNA of thousands of people who have been infected with the coronavirus, shows that they have several DNA …

18 August 2021

Study Suggests that Future Pandemic Response Needs to Consider Cultural Context

A study on COVID-19 response analyzed data from 107 nations, focusing on the first 91 days of the pandemic.

18 August 2021

U.S. States with Stronger Controls Register Fewer Deaths Due to COVID-19

A study has found a clear correlation between stronger state interventions to control the spread of COVID-19 and fewer deaths from…

23 August 2021

WHO Calls on Countries to Delay the Booster COVID-19 shots Till Undeserved Countries Achieve Higher Levels of Vaccination

The WHO Director-General, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus….

27 August 2021

Study Suggests that the COVID-19 Poses a Higher Risk to Blood Clots than the Vaccination

Researchers from the University of Oxford have announced the results of a study on adverse events (i.e., low platelet counts and blood….

21 July 2021

US life expectancy in 2020 saw biggest drop since WWII

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. life expectancy fell by a year and a half in 2020, the largest one-year decline since World War II…

23 July 2021

Return to normal life after COVID may not occur until 2023 according to French scientist

A return to normal life following the COVID-19 virus outbreak may not occur until 2022 or even 2023, said professor Jean-Francois Delfraissy, who advises the French government…

26 July 2021

Vaccine antibody levels start to wane around 2 or 3 months after vaccination

According to new data from UCL’s Virus Watch study, the total antibody levels appear to start declining from as early as six weeks after complete vaccination and can reduce by more than 50% in 10 weeks…

29 July 2021

More than 1 in 10 COVID-19 patients report memory loss

A study by JAMA Network Open found that more than one in ten people with COVID-19 report memory and concentration problems up to eight months after the infection…

(30 July 2021

A new study suggests that early COVID-19 symptoms differ among age groups

According to a new study, symptoms for early COVID-19 infection differ among age groups and between gender. These differences are most notable between younger age groups (16-59 years) compared to older age groups (60-80 years)…

15 July 2021

COVID-19 pandemic leads to major backsliding on childhood vaccination, new WHO and UNICEF data shows

According to official data published by WHO and UNICEF, 23 million children missed out on basic vaccines through routine immunization services in 2020 – 3.7 million more than 2019

16 July 2021

Delta COVID variant now dominant strain worldwide, U.S. deaths surge

The Delta variant of COVID-19 is now the dominant strain worldwide, accompanied by a surge around 26% of deaths in the United States almost entirely among unvaccinated people, U.S. officials said on Friday.

19 July 2021

High respiratory efforts in COVID-19 patients could result in self-inflicted lung injury

The impact of high breathing efforts on the lungs of patients suffering from acute respiratory failure due to COVID-19 has been investigated by researchers at the University of Warwick, who assessed the likelihood of resulting lung injury.

20 July 2021

COVID-19 shutdowns reveal racial disparities in exposure to air pollution

A new study of COVID-19 shutdowns in the United States reveals pronounced disparities in air pollution. Disenfranchised neighborhoods with minority populations are exposed to more harmful air pollutants compared to the wealthier white communities.

20 July 2021

COVID recovery plans will produce record emissions according to International Energy Agency (IEA)

Pandemic recovery plans will come at a substantial environmental cost with carbon emissions estimated to hit an all-time high by 2023, according to a report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) published on Tuesday.

30 June 2021

Infant risk for COVID-19 directly related to spread in community

A new study published by the journal Pediatrics shows that the risk for COVID-19 among infants and young children depends on the level of virus spread in the local community.

07 July 2021

A new study suggests COVID-19 can have long-term effects on heart rate

Roughly one in six people contracted with COVID-19 experiences irregular heartbeats for more than four months after developing initial symptoms, a study published by the JAMA Network Open found

08 July 2021

JPMorgan finds five emerging economies among the most vulnerable to the Delta variant

An analysis lead by JPMorgan found that economies from emerging markets are among the most vulnerable to the COVID-19 Delta variant, mostly due to low vaccination rates.

11 July 2021

Unvaccinated Belgium woman died with double variant infection

Experts warn about the possibility to catch two COVID-19 variants simultaneously after identifying a double infection in a 90-year-old woman who became sick with the Alpha and Beta types…

14 July 2021

People with learning disabilities 'extremely vulnerable' to the effects of COVID-19

People with learning disabilities with COVID-19 are five times more likely to be admitted to hospital and eight times more likely to die compared with the general population of England…

11 June 2021

The SARS-CoV-2 infection is more common in pets than expected

Researchers in Brazil have discovered a higher than expected incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infection among the cats and dogs of people with COVID-19. Around 50% of the animals tested positive for the virus…

18 June 2021

According to WHO official Delta COVID variant is becoming globally dominant

The Delta variant of COVID-19, (first identified in India), has increased transmissibility and is becoming the globally dominant variant of the disease, the World Health Organization’s chief scientist said on Friday.

22 June 2021

Engineering nanobodies as lifesavers when SARS-CoV-2 variants attack

Scientists are pursuing a new strategy in the protracted fight against the SARS-CoV-2 virus by engineering nanobodies that can neutralize virus variants. In lab studies, researchers identified two groups of molecules that were effective against virus variants

23 June 2021

WHO voices concerns over Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine plant

The World Health Organization (WHO) has said it has concerns about the methods used at one plant producing the Sputnik V vaccine and along with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is reviewing Sputnik V for eventual approval.

01 May 2021

A study suggests that vitamin D supplementation may prevent acute respiratory infection

The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) said on Tuesday that it has halted a trial of convalescent blood plasma in the treatment of patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 symptoms as no benefits were found.

man in black jacket holding white plastic bag

18 May 2021

COVID Brazil variant 'may spread more easily' according to a study

The study analyses the relation between mask usage and public attitudes to evaluate the impact of those cultural differences on this element of the pandemic response.

21 May 2021

Inside the race to find a COVID-19 treatment pill

After almost 18 months of the pandemic and despite the development of a significant number of effective COVID-19 vaccines, there is still no easy-to-administer treatment proven to be effective against COVID-19.

21 May 2021

COVID-19: More evidence that monoclonal antibodies reduce risk of death

The antibodies produced in a laboratory – monoclonal antibodies – are identical copies of an antibody made by exposing white blood cells to a particular antigen.

23 May 2021

Pandemic has fueled eating disorder surge in teens, adults

The pandemic imposed significant psychological challenges to the society. Indeed, the pandemic disrupted lives, increasing mental health issues like anxiety and isolation, typically significant components of eating disorders.

26 April 2021

According to PAHO (Pan American Health Organization) New Report Points to an Increase in Hospitalizations and Deaths among Patients under 60 Years

There is a change – at global level – in the age profile of hospitalized cases, pointing to higher rates of hospitalization and clinical severity among the younger population.

28 April 2021

Fully Vaccinated Adults 65 and Older Are 94% Less Likely to Be Hospitalized with COVID-19

In the U.S. the CDC (Center for Disease Control and Prevention) finds that mRNA (Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna) COVID-19 vaccines reduce COVID-19-related hospitalizations among fully vaccinated (two weeks after the second dose) older adults.

11 May 2021

Vaccine Inequity poses ‘Significant Risk’ to Global Economic Recovery According to UN report

The World Economic Situation and Prospects (WESP) mid-year report warned widening inequality is threatening global recovery.

11 May 2021

Non-hospitalised COVID-19 Patients Have Low Risk of Having Serious Long-Term Effects

Non-hospitalised COVID-19 patients have a low risk of serious long-term effects, but they report more visits to general practitioners following infection, according to a study published in The Lancet Infectious Diseases journal.

12 May 2021

Fatigue, Mood Disorders Associated with Post-COVID-19 Syndrome

Patients diagnosed with post-COVID-19 syndrome, also known as “PCS,” “COVID-19 long-haul syndrome” and “Post-Acute Sequelae of SARS COV-2,” experience symptoms such as mood disorders…

20 FEB 2021

Study shows that Israeli-made anti-COVID nasal spray reduced infection at mass gathering

An Israeli-made nasal spray appears to have contributed to a reduced COVID-19 infection rate among members of an ultra-Orthodox community, just 2 out of 83 people, who were given the spray, contracted the virus.

16 FEB 2021

Pregnant women are being infected with COVID-19 at higher rates

Pregnant women and their babies get infected with the coronavirus at higher rates. After accounting for other risk factors, the COVID-19 rate in pregnant women was 70% higher than in non-pregnant adults, according to a report in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

22 FEB 2021

According to the U.S. FDA (Food and Drug Administration), trials of retooled vaccines for variants could take months

The emergence of more contagious coronavirus variants has prompted drug developers to step up efforts to track coronavirus mutations and try to keep vaccines and treatments effective against new variants.

23 FEB 2021

Researchers reveal genetic predisposition to severe COVID-19

HSE University researchers have become the first in the world to discover genetic predisposition to severe COVID-19.

23 FEB 2021

How reducing body temperature could help a tenth of all ICU patients

A new study reveals how lower temperatures improve the activity of surfactant, a molecular mixture that is essential for breathing.

02 MAR 2021

U.S. trials of COVID-19 blood plasma halted after no benefits found

03 MAR 2021

COVID Brazil variant 'may spread more easily' according to a study

Early studies suggest that the Brazilian variant, called P.1 variant, could be up to twice as transmissible as the earlier version of the virus.

04 MAR 2021

New evidence on COVID-19 antibodies and vaccines indicate less effectiveness against new variants

New research at Washington University School of Medicine indicates that three new, fast-spreading variants of the virus that cause COVID-19 can evade antibodies that work against the original form of the virus that sparked the pandemic.

silhouette of a woman with pink and purple sky

04 MAR 2021

COVID-19 pandemic has increased loneliness and other social issues, especially for women

Researchers found a significant increase in loneliness and a decrease in feelings of friendship during the pandemic.

04 MAR 2021

Sustainable infrastructure can drive development and COVID-19 recovery: A report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

A new report from UNEP urges governments to take a more systematic approach to sustainable infrastructure, incorporating it into their long-term development plans and ensuring human-made systems work with natural ones.

08 JAN 2021

Coronavirus variants may lead to false negative results with molecular tests - FDA

The U.S. drugs regulator said on Friday genetic variants of COVID-19, including the one found in the UK, could lead to false negative results from some molecular COVID-19 tests, but the risk of the mutations affecting overall testing accuracy is low.

08 JAN 2021

6 Months After Leaving the Hospital, COVID Survivors Still Face Lingering Health Issues

A large study of patients in China, showed that six months later, three-quarters were struggling with problems like fatigue, depression and diminished lung function.

11 JAN 2021

WHO says starting shots in poor nations by February hinges on vaccine suppliers

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday doubled-down on pleas for vaccine makers to provide COVID-19 shots to its COVAX programme for poor nations, as an adviser said hopes of starting inoculations by February hinges on access to supplies.

person in white long sleeve shirt covering face with blue textile

12 JAN 2021

More than half of COVID-19 health care workers at risk for mental health problems

A new study, led by University of Utah Health scientists, suggests more than half of doctors, nurses, and emergency responders involved in COVID-19 care could be at risk for one or more mental health problems, including acute traumatic stress, depression, anxiety, problematic alcohol use, and insomnia.

15 JAN 2021

WHO stops short of advising proof of COVID-19 shots for travel

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced that they are not advising to introduce requirements of proof of vaccination or immunity for international travel as a condition of entry because of “critical unknowns” regarding their efficacy in reducing transmission of the SARS-CoV-2.

20 JAN 2021

Food Insecurity and Climate Crisis Rise Amid COVID-19 Pandemic

The hottest year on record and a global pandemic are fuelling fast-rising food insecurity and malnutrition around the world. Almost 690 million people suffered from hunger in 2019, a figure that was projected to rise by 130 million by the end of 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to the United Nations.

21 JAN 2021

France tells its citizens: Fabric masks not enough to protect from COVID-19

The French government is now recommending that people wear surgical masks in public because they offer better protection from COVID-19 transmission than fabric face coverings, Health Minister Olivier Veran said on Thursday, January 21st.

01 FEB 2021

Early U.S. data indicates Black and Hispanic Americans lagging in COVID-19 vaccinations

Early data on U.S. coronavirus vaccinations released on Monday suggests that Black and Hispanic Americans received a smaller proportion of shots than their representation among healthcare workers and nursing home residents, two priority groups for COVID-19 inoculations.

02 FEB 2021

Russia's Sputnik V COVID vaccine highly effective, new study shows

The preliminary results of a study published on the medical journal The Lancet, shows that the Russian vaccine Gam-COVID-Vac (also known as Sputnik V) is 91.6 % effective against symptomatic COVID-19 cases.

02 FEB 2021

UK finds more coronavirus cases with 'concerning' mutations

In England, public health authorities are investigating cases of coronavirus containing ‘worrying’ new genetic changes that have been found in some regions of the UK. Being called E484K, tests are showing they have a mutation that was already seen from the South Africa variant.

8 OCT 2020

Young people hospitalized with COVID-19 face substantial adverse outcomes

Researchers from Brigham and Women’s Hospital analysed records from 419 hospitals using the Premier Healthcare Database to study the clinical trajectories of 3.222 hospitalized COVID-19 patients aged 18 – 34…

8 OCT 2020

Media trust correlated with COVID-19 prevention behaviors

During the pandemic, individuals’ behaviour (such as wearing a mask or practicing physical distancing) is closely correlated with the kinds of mass media outlets they trust, according to a study published in etc…

12 OCT 2020

COVID-19 antibodies last at least three months; so do symptoms for many

People infected with COVID-19 develop antibodies that last for at least three months, according to two reports published in Science Immunology. This means that a properly designed vaccine “should elicit a durable antibody response that has the potential to neutralize the virus”…

13 OCT 2020

Facebook will ban ads discouraging people from getting vaccines

Facebook Inc, with 2.7 billion monthly active users, will start banning ads that explicitly discourage people from getting vaccinated. Facebook’s previous rules prohibited ads containing vaccine misinformation or hoaxes identified by leading health organizations…

14 OCT 2020

Japan supercomputer shows humidity affects aerosol spread of coronavirus

A Japanese supercomputer showed that humidity could have a large effect on the dispersion of virus particles, pointing to heightened coronavirus contagion risks in dry, indoor conditions during the winter months…

sewage pipe polluted water, environmental, erosion

23 OCT 2020

Sewage can reveal COVID outbreaks, UK project finds

Traces of the virus that causes COVID-19 can be successfully detected in sewage, which can help to give health officials an early warning of local outbreaks of the virus, the British government said. ..

24 OCT 2020

Europe becomes THE second region to cross 250,000 deaths as THE second COVID wave hits

Europe became the second region after Latin America to surpass 250,000 deaths on Saturday, according to a Reuters tally, with record numbers of daily COVID-19 infections reported in the past two weeks.

25 OCT 2020

Long COVID: Some coronavirus patients have recovered, but still aren't well

Months after recovering from their coronavirus infections, some patients continue to report headaches, exhaustion and shortness of breath. Doctors are still learning about the effects of post-COVID syndrome.

long exposure photography of white smoke

26 OCT 2020

Study estimates exposure to air pollution increases COVID-19 deaths by 15% worldwide

Long-term exposure to air pollution has been linked to an increased risk of dying from COVID-19. The study, published in Cardiovascular Research on 26/10, estimated that about 15% of deaths worldwide from COVID-19 could be attributed to long-term exposure to air pollution.

27 OCT 2020

Oxford COVID-19 vaccine works in all ages, trials suggest

One of the world’s leading COVID-19 experimental vaccines produces an immune response in older adults as well as the young, its developers say. The phase 2 trials have shown that people over the age of 56 – and some over 70 – produced the same sort of antibody response as younger volunteers.

09 SEPT 2020

ASTRAZENECA PUTS VACCINE TRIAL ON HOLD AFTER PARTICIPANT FALLS ILL

On Sept 9th, Astra Zeneca announced to put on hold the controlled clinical trials of the ‘‘AstraZeneca Oxford coronavirus vaccine’’ after the discovery of the participant who fell ill…

09 SEPT 2020

TEAM OF SCIENTISTS SPOT ‘UNLIKELY’ PATTERNS IN RUSSIA VACCINE DATA

A team of 26 scientists have signed an open letter questioning the reliability of the data presented in the early-stage trial results of the Russian COVID-19 vaccine…

09 SEPT 2020

RESEARCHERS DRAW MORE LINKS BETWEEN VAPING, SMOKING, YOUNG PEOPLE, AND CORONAVIRUS

Researchers at the University of Rochester Medical Center published papers linking a risk for COVID-19 and a history of vaping and smoking…

11 SEPT 2020

THE OTHER WAY THE VIRUS KILL: HUNGER

The pandemic has reinforced basic economics inequalities, but none of them is more defining than access to food. As the global economy is been deeply affected by the pandemic, the potentially life-threatening levels of food insecurity in the developing world…

14 SEPT 2020

COVID-19 HAS SET GLOBAL HEALTH PROGRESS BACK DECADES ACCORDING TO GATES FOUNDATION

The massive effects of the coronavirus pandemic have halted and reversed global health progress, setting it back 25 years and exposing millions to the risk of deadly disease and poverty…

16 SEPT 2020

An Experimental Drug Protects Covid-19 Patients, Eli Lilly Claims

The pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly announced that their experimental monoclonal antibody treatment significantly reduced levels of the coronavirus in more than 450 newly infected patients and lowered the hospitalization rates…

17 SEPT 2020

Silicon Valley startup Visby’s portable COVID-19 test gets FDA approval

The Silicon Valley medical equipment startup, Visby Medical, has received Emergency Use Authorization by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for a portable PCR COVID-19 test kit. Traditionally, PCR testing uses a machine with the size of a large microwave…

18 SEPT 2020

Study links rising stress, depression in US to pandemic-related losses, media consumption

A study published by researchers at University of California, Irvine, linked increasing depression and stress to not only pandemic-related losses–such as unemployment–but also media consumption…

21 SEPT 2020

EU plans international coronavirus tracing network

The EU plans to create an international coronavirus tracing network to be launched in October. A number of EU member states consider the possibility to develop a cross-border effort to trace the coronavirus’ spreading…

22 SEPT 2020

False positives from COVID-19 tests cause trouble

The quality of some PCR test kits and the value of the results are being questioned by some countries as many false positives results are being reported…

19 JULY 2020

CORONAVIRUS: ARE MUTATIONS MAKING IT MORE INFECTIOUS?

The coronavirus that is now threatening the world is subtly different from the one that first emerged in China…

08 AUGUST 2020

BLACK AND HISPANIC CHILDREN ARE IMPACTED MORE SEVERELY BY CORONAVIRUS, RESEARCH SHOWS

A report from the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released Friday found that Black and Hispanic children are more likely to be hospitalized due to coronavirus than White children, with higher case rates,…

10 AUGUST 2020

KNOWLEDGE IS POWER: LEARNING MORE ABOUT COVID-19 CAN REDUCE YOUR PANDEMIC STRESS

A recent study surveyed more than 500 adults between 20–79 years old in the U.S. to understand whether understanding the COVID-19 pandemic makes us more or less anxious…

11 AUGUST 2020

RUSSIA CLAIMS TO HAVE A VACCINE FOR COVID-19, BUT THIS CLAIM IS QUESTIONED BY VARIOUS EXPERTS

While numerous countries and research groups are working to produce a vaccine for Covid-19, the latest developments on the vaccine came from Russia: The Russian government claims to have stolen a march on dozens of global rivals…

14 AUGUST 2020

GENETIC PROFILES MAY PREDICT COVID-19 RISK; NURSING HOME STAFF IN SPOTLIGHT

Genetic profiles may predict COVID-19 risk. Genetic differences affect the strength of infection and protection mechanisms, with some people having genes that predispose them to infection and others having genes that strengthen the body’s protective process.

04 August 2020

Why pregnant women face special risks from COVID-19

Although the effect of COVID-19 on pregnancy is still not completely clear due to incomplete data, the current cautious consensus among the experts is that the viral infection in pregnant women does not negatively affect fetal development…

18 AUGUST 2020

Signs of depression and anxiety soar among US graduate students during pandemic

A survey conducted in 9 U.S. research universities recording responses from more than 15,000 graduate students showed that more students are suffering from depression this year during the pandemic compared to last year…

19 AUGUST 2020

COVID-19 link to type 1 diabetes probed

A study suggests a possible coronavirus link to type 1 diabetes. Cases of type 1 diabetes among children may have risen during the peak of Britain’s COVID-19 outbreak. In type 1 diabetes – also known as juvenile diabetes – insulin-producing cells in the pancreas are destroyed,…

20 AUGUST 2020

Blood clots and lung injuries found in patients who have died of COVID-19

Post-mortem examinations of 10 patients who died of COVID-19 in a UK study showed that all patients had lung injuries, early scarring of the lungs, and kidney injuries. Nine of the ten patients also have blood clots…

25 AUGUST 2020

Two more cases of reinfection: This time reported in Europe

Two more cases of reinfection with the coronavirus were reported in Europe on Tuesday, a day after a 33-year-old man in Hong Kong was confirmed to have been infected a second time. However, experts have reacted with caution to the new findings,…

25 AUGUST 2020

Flu Season Could Make Coronavirus Testing Delays Even Worse

In the fall season, the ascent of flu and other seasonal respiratory diseases could further burden the previous delay in coronavirus testing in the U.S., making it more likely for the infection to spread unnoticed. Usually, doctors do not test for influenza…

17 JULY 2020

BRAZIL’S CORONAVIRUS CHAOS PROVIDES A GLOBAL LABORATORY FOR THE VACCINE RACE

The last clinical phase (Phase 3) tests require thousands of people to be tested. This means that the suitable areas to conduct this kind of study should have high disease transmission, as well as institutions that work with international scientific…

20 JULY 2020

OXFORD CORONAVIRUS VACCINE PRODUCES STRONG IMMUNE RESPONSE

Scientists at the Jenner Institute (Oxford University) and Oxford Vaccine Group published promising results of the Phase I/II trial of a coronavirus vaccine in The Lancet. The vaccine showed no early safety concerns and induced strong immune responses in humans.

20 JULY 2020

NEW ASSAY IMPROVES DETECTION OF COVID-19 ANTIBODIES

Researchers at the University of California Santa Cruz have developed a new assay for the detection of antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)…

21 JULY 2020

EU LEADERS SEAL DEAL ON SPENDING AND €750BN COVID-19 RECOVERY PLANS

EU leaders have reached a historic agreement on a €750bn coronavirus pandemic recovery fund and their long-term spending plans following days of acrimonious debate at the bloc’s longest summit in nearly two decades.

21 JULY 2020

CHINA DEMANDING NEGATIVE COVID-19 RESULTS AT AIRPORT

China announced that passengers of all flights arriving from abroad would have to provide negative COVID-19 test results as the country…

24 JULY 2020

FACE MASKS AND FACE COVERINGS : YOUR ABSOLUTELY BUMPER GUIDE

As face coverings become mandatory in shops, here is all you need to know about buying, wearing and a washing them to beat COVID-19.

29 July 2020

African countries conduct over 8.3 mln COVID-19 tests amid rapid infection rate: Africa CDC

More than 8.3 million COVID-19 tests for COVID-19 have been conducted across countries in the Africa continent (Africa CDC). The Africa CDC director warned over rising COVID-19 test positivity rate…

29 July 2020

COVID-19's impact on the heart: Two new studies suggest 'the plot thickening'

Two separate new studies, published in the journal JAMA Cardiology on Monday, demonstrates how COVID-19 may have a prolonged impact on heart health in those who have recovered from illness and may have caused cardiac infection in those who died.

30 July 2020

There is no 'zero risk' in easing travel restrictions, WHO says

There is no “zero risk” strategy for countries easing international travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, and essential travel for emergencies should remain the priority, the World Health Organization (WHO) said.

02 August 2020

U.S. coronavirus 'extraordinarily widespread', say White House experts

The United States is in a new phase of the novel coronavirus outbreak with infections “extraordinarily widespread” in rural areas as well as cities, White House coronavirus experts said on Sunday.

29 JUNE 2020

APPLICATIONS OF DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY IN COVID-19 PANDEMIC PLANNING AND RESPONSE

An article published in Lancet emphasizes how digital technologies helped flatten the COVID-19 incidence curves in some countries. The integration of such technologies into policies facilitate planning, surveillance, testing, contact tracing, quarantine, and clinical management…

18 JUNE 2020

COVID-19 NEUTRALIZING ANTIBODIES MIGHT ONLY LAST FOR 2–3 MONTHS

A publication in Nature Medicine measured levels of neutralizing antibodies in a small number (37) of asymptomatic individuals and compared them to symptomatic individuals…

5 JUNE 2020

“SUPER SPREADER” EVENTS

As more data became available and economies are opening up, a lot of people started to wonder what events cause the most infection cases, which can also influence policymaking…

29 JUNE 2020

FIRST APPROVED VACCINE IN CHINA (BUT FOR MILITARY USE ONLY)

CanSino Biologics received authorization for human trials after clinical trials proved it was safe and showed some efficacy. China’s Central Military Commission approved the use of the vaccine by the military on June 25 for a period of one year, CanSino said in a filing…

10 JUNE 2020

MMV LAUNCHES THE COVID BOX

The Swiss NGO Medicine for Malaria Venture (MMV) announced a collection of drugs and compounds to be distributed for free to accelerate COVID-19 treatment research.

6 JULY 2020

WHO REVIEWING REPORT URGING NEW GUIDANCE OVER SPREAD OF CORONAVIRUS

The World Health Organization (WHO) is reviewing a report urging it to update guidance on the novel coronavirus after more than 200 scientists, in a letter to the health agency, outlined evidence the virus can spread in tiny airborne particles…

8 JULY 2020

SCIENTISTS WARN OF POTENTIAL WAVE OF COVID-LINKED BRAIN DAMAGE

Scientists warned of a potential wave of coronavirus-related brain damage as new evidence suggested COVID-19 can lead to severe neurological complications, including inflammation, psychosis and delirium.

8 JULY 2020

REMDESIVIR BECOMES THE FIRST COVID-19 TREATMENT APPROVED IN EUROPE

Remdesivir (brand name Veklury), a drug originally developed to treat the Ebola virus by the U.S. Pharma Gilead Sciences, becomes the first COVID-19 treatment approved in Europe with a one-year conditional marketing authorization from the European Commission…

8 JULY 2020

VIRUS-TRACING APPS ARE RIFE WITH PROBLEMS. GOVERNMENTS ARE RUSHING TO FIX THEM

Virus tracing apps that many countries have quickly developed are dealing with security issues that expose users to risks like identity theft or oppressive government tracking. In some cases, the use or development of apps were abandoned.

14 JULY 2020

SWIFTLY WANING COVID-19 IMMUNITY POSES VACCINATION CHALLENGE

Emerging evidence that the body’s immune defence against COVID-19 may be short-lived makes it even harder for vaccine developers to come up with shots fully able to protect people in future waves of infection