CDC

A striking new case study illustrates just how pervasive SARS-CoV-2 aerosol transmission can be, describing a trio of infections in a Taiwan quarantine hotel with the virus likely traveling through walls and floors in a poorly ventilated building.

New modeling from the CDC estimates Omicron subvariants BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 now account for over 10% of all infections in the US. Scientists predict these rapidly spreading variants will drive a new wave of infections in the country over the coming months.

A polio vaccine booster program has been announced in the UK targeting all London children under the age of 10. The program comes after more detections of poliovirus in London’s wastewater indicate the virus is spreading undetected through the city.

Following recent reports of the first polio case in the US in almost a decade, the CDC reported the virus has been detected in wastewater samples as far back as June in Rockland County, a region north of New York City known for low vaccination rates.

Estimates from the CDC indicate a new Omicron subvariant is becoming prevalent in the US. Dubbed BA.2.12.1, it is likely to be the most infectious version of SARS-CoV-2 to date and experts warn it could be triggering a new wave of cases in the country.

A report from the CDC has found COVID-19 was the third leading cause of death in the US in 2021, after heart disease and cancer. Another new CDC report estimates nearly 60 percent of the US population had been infected with SARS-CoV-2 by February 2022.

Researchers are reporting the case of a healthcare worker testing positive to COVID-19 twice in 20 days. Genomics revealed the first infection was Delta and the second Omicron, making this the shortest recorded gap between two SARS-CoV-2 infections.

New CDC modeling estimates the BA.2 Omicron variant is now dominant in the United States. In related news the FDA has withdrawn its emergency authorization for the COVID-19 antibody treatment sotrovimab as research has found it ineffective against BA.2.

The FDA has authorized a fourth mRNA vaccine dose for all individuals aged 50 and over. The authorization includes both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines and is recommended to be administered at least four months after a third dose.

Delta-8 THC is similar to its commonly known psychoactive cousin, delta-9 THC, and new studies are offering the first large-scale insights into what kinds of effects people are experiencing with this unique and under-researched drug.

A report from the CDC indicates disease caused by Omicron may be less severe than prior variants, but increased transmissibility means the US is facing the heaviest load on its hospitals seen since the pandemic began two years ago.

A trio of CDC studies offer the first real-world insights into the effectiveness of a third COVID-19 vaccine dose against the Omicron variant. The research confirms a third vaccine dose restores protection from infection and hospitalization.