The first Covid-19 single dose vaccine is here

The first Covid-19 single dose vaccine is here

by

The United States is taking a very real risk of losing all of its recent gains in the battle against the virus, as highly contagious variants take advantage of the fact that Americans are negligent about security measures.

There are already worrying signs. Although Covid-19 cases and hospitalizations in the United States have tended to decline for several weeks, they are still alarming. And this downward trend now seems to have stopped. The latest seven-day average of new cases shows an increase of just over 2% compared to the previous week, said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, yesterday. A similar increase was reported in the most recent seven-day average of deaths, she added.

“Please listen to me clearly,” said Walensky. “At this level of cases with propagation of variants, we can completely lose the ground conquered with such effort. These variants are a very real threat to our people and our progress.”

Dr. Zeke Emanuel, who was a health adviser to the Obama White House and a member of the Covid-19 Advisory Council for the Biden Transition, said Americans need to keep security measures tight for another two or three months. “We shouldn’t relax, allow meals in closed spaces, large groups … getting rid of restrictions on masks,” he said.
The World Health Organization (WHO) raised a similar concern yesterday, after the number of new cases increased globally last week for the first time in seven weeks. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the increase was “disappointing, but not surprising”, adding that the agency is working to better understand the increases in transmission.

“Part of this appears to be due to the relaxation of public health measures, the continued circulation of variants and people letting their guard down,” said Tedros. “Even as vaccines continue to be distributed, we ask all governments and individuals to remember that vaccines alone will not keep you safe.”

YOU ASKED. WE RESPOND

Q: Q: Which Covid-19 vaccine should I get?

A: There are now three Covid-19 vaccines authorized for use in the United States and many people are wondering which one to get.

We asked CNN’s medical analyst, Dr. Leana Wen, for an opinion. His main advice: “Take the vaccine that was offered to you. All three vaccines are safe and effective. Think of other vaccines that we have, like the flu vaccine. Most of us don’t ask which company makes it. We just we care that it works. ”
Submit your questions here. Are you a healthcare professional battling Covid-19? Send us a message on WhatsApp about the challenges you are facing: +1 347-322-0415.

WHAT’S IMPORTANT TODAY

Vaccines dramatically reduce the risk of hospitalization in more than 80 years, show real-world data

A single dose of Pfizer-BioNTech or Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines reduces the risk of hospitalization for Covid-19 by more than 80% in people over 80, new data from Public Health England show.

The effect was seen three to four weeks after vaccination. People over 70 also showed up to 61% protection against symptomatic diseases with the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and up to 73% with the Oxford-Astra-Zeneca vaccine.

The UK has administered Covid-19 vaccines to more than 20 million people, with campaigns initially targeting those over 80, the most vulnerable to the disease. The new data supports the country’s decision to use the Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines at a time when other European countries have shown concern about using the AstraZeneca vaccine in the elderly. Meera Senthilingam Report

Unable to deal with new variants, Brazilian hospitals reach the breaking point

Intensive care units are approaching their limits across Brazil, while health experts and state officials are pleading with the government to impose strict measures to reduce the transmission of the coronavirus. The country is struggling to control the most infectious new variants of the coronavirus. “The mutant virus has three times more contamination capacity and the speed can surprise the governors in terms of structure and support,” said Health Minister Eduardo Pazuello. This is the reality that we have today in Brazil. “

UK hunts people infected with Covid-19 variant

British health officials are rushing to track down a person who was infected with a variant of Covid-19 first identified in the Brazilian city of Manaus. The person is one of the six cases of variant P.1 in the United Kingdom. The variant carries a pattern of mutations that appears to make the virus more easily transmitted. The unidentified individual did not fill out a registration card associated with his test, so employees are not able to find him easily.

ON OUR RADAR

  • A panel of WHO experts strongly advised against the use of hydroxychloroquine to prevent Covid-19 after reviewing all existing studies on the subject.
  • A batch of Covid-19 vaccines had to be rescued by boat after heavy rains threatened the power supply at a health facility in Kentucky.
  • Former U.S. President Donald Trump and former First Lady Melania Trump received a vaccine against Covid-19 at the White House in January, a Trump adviser told CNN.
  • A Trader Joe employee said he was fired after writing directly to the chain’s CEO asking for stronger Covid-19 security protocols in his store.
  • The first batch of Covid-19 vaccines sent by the COVAX program to Latin America landed in Colombia yesterday.
  • The European Commission has started preparing the basis for a vaccine passport that could allow citizens of the European Union to travel this summer.
  • China plans to inoculate more than half a billion people by the end of June, revealed respiratory disease expert Zhong Nanshan.
  • A California doctor’s trial was postponed after he attended a virtual hearing while conducting surgery.

BEST TIP

Although many Americans stay at home for their own safety during the pandemic, the home can be the most dangerous place for victims of domestic violence. The usual places where victims fled in the past are not always available now.

Domestic violence incidents increased in the United States by about 8.1% after the imposition of blocks related to the pandemic, according to an analysis by the National Commission on Covid-19 and Criminal Justice.
But help is available. If you or someone you know is being affected by domestic violence, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline / 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) / TTY 1-800-787-3224. A worldwide list of directories is provided by UN Women. You can also find a list of national agencies at The Pixel Project.

TODAY’S PODCAST

“When you’re within an inch of all your aspirations being taken away from you and the Games, maybe even being completely canceled, it’s heartbreaking.” – Sandi Morris, 2016 Olympic silver medalist

Almost a year ago, athletes from all over the world knew that the Olympics would be postponed. For those hoping to compete in the games, navigating this additional year has been a challenge, especially since Covid’s restrictions have forced the closure of many professional sports facilities. Pole vaulting Sandi Morris and jumper Tyrone Smith share their training experience to compete together in one last Olympics, as a couple. Listen now.

.Source