Festival organisers have confirmed that coronavirus, after a busy world tour, will be on the main stage at Reading and on pretty much everything else. Although it will be a short appearance, the impact of the concert could last a lifetime – which might be up to a few days.

Fans are looking forward to breathing in the atmosphere and then spending time in hospital. Known for their hit song ‘My Corona’, the band also does a series of Police covers; including ‘Every breath you take, Every sneeze you make’, ‘So Lonely, under House Quarantine’ and ‘Don’t stand so close me – really, Please Don’t.’

Said one excited fan of old-school influenza: ‘The great thing about seeing the band, is that you have wonderful sight-lines no matter where you are. In the portaloo, by the breakfast tent - COVID-19 is everywhere. It’s like you can reach out and touch it – without the hand gel. It’s like your own personal concert, with non-stop vomiting and diahorrea– a bit like when Oasis played’.

Coronavirus’ set is usually followed by a standing ovation and then three weeks lying in bed. For those who cannot afford to get tickets, not worry, COVID-19 is coming soon to an arena/bedroom near you.

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  • Announces next-generation COVID-19 vaccine candidate as fourth respiratory vaccine to successfully meet its Phase 3 endpoints
  • Expects two more Phase 3 readouts in 2024, including combination vaccine against flu and COVID-19, and vaccine against CMV
  • Announces positive clinical trial data from three new vaccines against viruses that cause significant burden (Epstein-Barr virus, Varicella-Zoster virus, norovirus) and advances programs toward Phase 3 development
  • Anticipates U.S. launch of vaccine against RSV following FDA approval and ACIP recommendation in 2024
  • Announces development and commercialization funding agreement with Blackstone Life Sciences for up to $750 million to advance flu program

CAMBRIDGE, MA / ACCESSWIRE / March 27, 2024 / Moderna, Inc. (NASDAQ:MRNA) today announced at its fifth Vaccines Day event clinical and program updates demonstrating advancement and acceleration of its mRNA pipeline. The updates include data readouts in the Company's respiratory and latent and other vaccine portfolios, as well as commercial, manufacturing and financial announcements for its vaccines business.

"Our mRNA platform continues a remarkable track record across our broad vaccine portfolio. Today, we are excited to share that four vaccines in our pipeline have achieved successful clinical readouts across our respiratory, latent and other virus franchises," said Stéphane Bancel, Chief Executive Officer of Moderna. "With five vaccines in Phase 3, and three more moving toward Phase 3, we have built a very large and diverse portfolio addressing significant unmet medical needs. We are focused on execution to further build momentum across our pipeline and business, and to deliver for patients who are impacted by these infectious diseases."

Portfolio Overview

The vaccine portfolio seeks to address infectious diseases that cause considerable health burdens and includes 28 vaccines addressing respiratory, latent and other pathogens.

Latent and Other Vaccine Portfolio

Moderna is advancing five vaccine candidates against viruses that cause latent infections, all of which are in clinical trials. When latent, a virus is present in the body but exists in a resting state, typically without causing any noticeable symptoms. Latent viruses can reactivate and cause clinical symptoms as a person ages, during times of stress or when immunity is compromised. The capacity for latency is a defining feature of members of the Herpesviridae family, including cytomegalovirus (CMV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), herpes simplex virus (HSV) and Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV).

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

CMV is the most common infectious cause of birth defects in the U.S. and is responsible for several billion dollars in annual healthcare costs. One in 200 babies in the U.S. are born with a congenital CMV infection, and of those affected, one in five will have severe, life-altering health problems. Possible short- and long-term sequelae of CMV infection include microcephaly, chorioretinitis, seizures, sensorineural hearing loss, cognitive impairment and cerebral palsy. There is currently no approved vaccine to prevent congenital CMV.

CMVictory is a pivotal Phase 3 trial evaluating mRNA-1647 against primary CMV infection in women 16 to 40 years of age. The trial is a randomized, observer-blind, placebo-controlled study designed to evaluate the efficacy, safety and immunogenicity of mRNA-1647. The trial is fully enrolled with approximately 7,300 participants from 290 clinical sites globally.

To date, 50 primary infection cases have accrued and are undergoing confirmation. The first interim analysis for the evaluation of vaccine efficacy, which will be triggered when both 81 confirmed per-protocol cases and 12 median months of safety follow-up have occurred, is expected as early as the end of 2024.

Moderna's CMV vaccine candidate mRNA-1647 has advanced to indication expansion studies in adolescents 9 to 15 years of age and adult transplant patients, both of which have begun enrollment.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)

EBV is a major cause of infectious mononucleosis (IM) in the U.S., accounting for more than 90% of IM cases annually. Importantly, EBV and IM are associated with a higher lifetime risk of more serious sequelae including certain cancers such as gastric carcinoma, nasopharyngeal carcinoma and multiple types of lymphoma. The lifetime risk of developing multiple sclerosis (MS) is increased by 32-fold after EBV infection. There is currently no approved vaccine to prevent EBV.

Moderna's EBV vaccine candidates are designed to tackle multiple EBV-associated conditions, including prevention of IM (mRNA-1189) and MS and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder, a subcategory of lymphoma in solid organ transplant patients (mRNA-1195). The Phase 1 trial for mRNA-1189 was designed to test the safety, reactogenicity and immunogenicity of four different dose levels in participants 12 to 30 years of age in the U.S. The randomized, observer-blind, placebo-controlled study showed mRNA-1189 was immunogenic and generally well tolerated across all dose levels. The Company is advancing mRNA-1189 toward a pivotal Phase 3 trial.

The Phase 1 trial for mRNA-1195 was designed to test the safety, reactogenicity and immunogenicity of two drug products at four different dose levels in healthy EBV seropositive participants 18 to 55 years of age in the U.S. The randomized, observer-blind, placebo-controlled study is fully enrolled.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV)

Herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infects approximately 13% of adults globally and is the primary cause of genital herpes. There are an estimated four billion people globally infected with HSV, of which 491 million cases are HSV-2. Recurrent genital herpes causes a reduction in quality of life, which antivirals (current standard of care) only partially restore. Moderna expects that if an HSV vaccine candidate could deliver similar efficacy as a suppressive antiviral treatment, compliance with recommended therapy and associated quality of life would improve. There is currently no approved vaccine to treat HSV-2.

The first in human, fully enrolled Phase 1/2 trial of mRNA-1608 is designed to test safety and immunogenicity and to establish a proof-of-concept of clinical benefit in adults 18 to 55 years of age with recurrent HSV-2 genital herpes. The randomized 1:1:1:1, observer-blind, controlled study is fully enrolled with 300 participants in the U.S.

Varicella-Zoster virus (VZV)

Herpes zoster, also known as shingles, is caused by reactivation of latent VZV, the same virus that causes chickenpox. Declining immunity in older adults decreases immunity against VZV, allowing reactivation of the virus from latently infected neurons, causing painful and itchy lesions. Herpes Zoster occurs in one out of three adults in the U.S. in their lifetime and the incidence increases at 50 years of age. There is potential to reach a growing and underserved patient population.

Moderna's VZV vaccine candidate mRNA-1468 has initial data available from a Phase 1/2 trial, which was designed to test safety and immunogenicity in healthy adults 50 years of age and older in the U.S. The randomized 1:1:1:1:1, observer-blind, active-controlled study of mRNA-1468 elicited strong antigen-specific T cell responses at one month after the second dose and was generally well tolerated. Results of the first interim analysis support the further clinical development of mRNA-1468 for the prevention of shingles. Additional results from the ongoing Phase 1/2 study will be available later this year, including persistence data. The Company is planning for a pivotal Phase 3 trial.

Norovirus

Enteric viruses, including norovirus, are a leading cause of diarrheal diseases, resulting in significant morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly among young children and older adults. Norovirus is highly contagious and a leading cause of diarrheal disease globally, associated with 18% of all acute gastroenteritis (AGE), resulting in approximately 200,000 deaths per year and substantial healthcare costs. Given the wide diversity of norovirus genotypes, a broadly effective norovirus vaccine will require a multivalent vaccine design. There is currently no approved vaccine to prevent norovirus.

The randomized, observer-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 1 trial was designed to evaluate the safety, reactogenicity and immunogenicity of trivalent (mRNA-1403) and pentavalent (mRNA-1405) norovirus vaccine candidates in 664 participants 18 to 49 years of age and 60 to 80 years of age in the U.S. An interim analysis showed that a single dose of mRNA-1403 elicited a robust immune response across all dose levels evaluated with a clinically acceptable reactogenicity and safety profile. The Company is advancing mRNA-1403 toward a pivotal Phase 3 trial.

Respiratory Vaccine Portfolio

Moderna's approach to ease the global burden of respiratory infections includes vaccine candidates against major causative pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza virus. Respiratory infections are a top cause of death in the U.S. and are particularly harmful to the young, immunocompromised, and older adults who experience more severe illness, greater incidence of hospitalization, and greater mortality than younger adults.

Moderna's respiratory pipeline includes Phase 3 trials for investigational vaccines including a next-generation COVID-19 vaccine, an RSV vaccine, a flu vaccine, and a flu and COVID-19 combination vaccine. The pipeline includes three additional flu vaccine candidates with expanded antigen coverage as well as combination vaccine programs.

COVID-19

Moderna continues to address the needs of the endemic COVID-19 market by focusing on public health efforts to increase vaccination coverage rates to reduce the substantial burden of COVID-19 as well as by advancing next-generation vaccines. The Company's mRNA platform can produce variant-matched vaccines on an accelerated time horizon, consistent with recent U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) comments on the timing of potential strain selection for the fall booster season.

A recent announcement of positive interim results from the NEXTCove Phase 3 trial showed that mRNA-1283 elicited a higher immune response against both the Omicron BA.4/BA.5 and original virus strains of SARS-CoV-2 compared to mRNA-1273.222, Moderna's licensed COVID-19 vaccine. mRNA-1283 is designed to be refrigerator-stable and paves the way for a combination vaccine against influenza and COVID-19, mRNA-1083, enhancing the Company's overall respiratory portfolio. This is Moderna's fourth infectious disease vaccine program with Phase 3 data.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)

RSV is the leading cause of respiratory illness in young children, and older adults are at increased risk relative to younger adults for severe outcomes. In addition to acute mortality and morbidity, RSV infection is associated with long-term sequelae such as asthma and impaired lung function in pediatric populations, and exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in older adults. Annually, there are approximately two million medically attended RSV infections and 58,000 to 80,000 hospitalizations in children younger than five years old in the U.S. In the U.S., each year there are up to 160,000 hospitalizations and 10,000 deaths in adults 65 years and older due to RSV. Across high-income countries in 2019, RSV caused an estimated 5.2 million cases, 470,000 hospitalizations and 33,000 in-hospital deaths in adults 60 years and older.

mRNA-1345

Moderna's RSV vaccine candidate, mRNA-1345, is in an ongoing Phase 2/3, randomized, observer-blind, placebo-controlled case-driven trial (ConquerRSV) in adults over 60 years of age. In this study, approximately 37,000 participants from 22 countries were randomized 1:1 to receive one dose of mRNA-1345 or placebo.

Based on positive data from the ConquerRSV trial, Moderna has filed for regulatory approvals for mRNA-1345 for the prevention of RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease (RSV-LRTD) and acute respiratory disease (ARD) in adults over 60 years of age.

The trial met both its primary efficacy endpoints, with a vaccine efficacy (VE) of 83.7% (95.88% CI: 66.1%, 92.2%; p<0.0001) against RSV-LRTD as defined by two or more symptoms, and a VE of 82.4% (96.36% CI: 34.8%, 95.3%; p=0.0078) against RSV-LRTD defined by three or more symptoms. These data were published in the New England Journal of Medicine in December 2023.

A subsequent analysis from the ConquerRSV study with a longer median follow-up duration of 8.6 months (versus 3.7 months in the primary analysis), with a range of 15 days to 530 days, and including subjects from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres was recently presented at the RSVVW'24 conference. In this supplemental analysis, mRNA-1345 maintained durable efficacy, with sustained VE of 63.3% (95.88% CI: 48.7%, 73.7%) against RSV-LRTD including two or more symptoms. VE was 74.6% (95% CI: 50.7%, 86.9%) against RSV-LRTD with ≥2 symptoms, including shortness of breath and 63.0% (95% CI: 37.3%, 78.2%) against RSV-LRTD including three of more symptoms. The stringent statistical criterion of the study, a lower bound on the 95% CI of >20%, continued to be met for both endpoints.

mRNA-1345 has been granted Breakthrough Therapy designation by the FDA for the prevention of RSV-LRTD in adults over 60 years of age. The Company is awaiting regulatory approvals and the U.S. ACIP recommendation in 2024.

Indication expansion studies for mRNA-1345

mRNA-1345 has the potential to protect all vulnerable populations from RSV. Moderna has initiated multiple Phase 3 expansion studies in adults over 50 years of age to evaluate co-administration and revaccination. Additional trials (Phase 1 - Phase 3) have been initiated for high-risk adults, as well as maternal and pediatric populations. Interim data from these studies could be available as early as 2024.

Influenza (Flu)

Worldwide, influenza leads to 3-5 million severe cases of flu and 290,000-650,000 flu-related respiratory deaths annually. Two main types of influenza viruses (A and B) cause seasonal flu epidemics, and the influenza A viruses lead to most flu-related hospitalization in older adults.

The Company has several seasonal influenza vaccine candidates in clinical development. Moderna's seasonal flu vaccine, mRNA-1010, demonstrated consistently acceptable safety and tolerability across three Phase 3 trials. In the most recent Phase 3 trial (P303), which was designed to test the immunogenicity and safety of an optimized vaccine composition, mRNA-1010 met all immunogenicity primary endpoints, demonstrating higher antibody titers compared to a currently licensed standard-dose flu vaccine. In an older adult extension study of P303, mRNA-1010 is being studied against high dose Fluzone HD®; the trial is fully enrolled. The Company is in ongoing discussions with regulators and intends to file in 2024.

Combination Respiratory Vaccines

Moderna's combination vaccine candidates cover respiratory viruses associated with the largest disease burden in the category. The Phase 3 combination study of the Company's investigational combination vaccine against flu and COVID-19 (mRNA-1083) for adults aged 50 years and older is fully enrolled and data are expected in 2024. mRNA-1083 was granted Fast Track designation by the FDA in May 2023.

Commercial Updates

Respiratory viruses in addition to latent and other viruses represent large unmet or underserved medical needs, and the human and economic costs from these infectious diseases highlight the need for effective vaccines. To help address this need, Moderna expects multiple vaccine product launches in the next few years, each with significant addressable markets.

The 2024 global endemic COVID-19 vaccine market alone is estimated by Moderna to be approximately $10 billion. COVID-19 continues to show a high burden of disease, and while COVID-19 hospitalizations remain high relative to RSV and flu, the risks of Long COVID are also becoming better understood. Moderna is focused on improving education and awareness to increase vaccination rates as Long COVID data suggests even traditionally low-risk groups should be vaccinated. Moderna is also working with health authorities to align the timing of COVID-19 and flu vaccine launches to help improve public health.

For RSV, Moderna estimates the peak annual market to be approximately $10 billion. The Company expects a strong RSV vaccine launch into a large market in 2024. As the only mRNA investigational vaccine with positive Phase 3 data, Moderna's RSV vaccine candidate has a strong profile with consistently strong efficacy across vulnerable and older populations, a well-established safety and tolerability profile, and ease of administration with a ready-to-use, pre-filled syringe formulation, which could relieve some of the burden that falls on pharmacies during the fall vaccination season.

An interim analysis from an ongoing time and motion study evaluating differences in preparation time between a pre-filled syringe (PFS) presentation and vaccines that require reconstitution showed that a PFS presentation could relieve some of the burden that falls on pharmacies during the fall vaccination season. Results from this study suggest that pharmacies may be capable of preparing up to four times as many doses of PFS in an hour compared to vaccines requiring reconstitution.

Moderna estimates flu vaccines represent an approximately $7 billion market in 2024. The market is expected to grow with the rise of more effective vaccines and there is an opportunity to expand the market with next-generation premium flu vaccines as well as combination respiratory vaccines, adding increased value to the health ecosystem.

CMV is expected to be a $2-5 billion annual market. With no vaccine currently on the market and a potential vaccine launch in 2026, Moderna could be the first CMV vaccine in multi-billion-dollar latent vaccine market. In addition, EBV has the potential to address and reduce the burden and cost of EBV infection in multiple populations, while VZV provides the opportunity to enter a large and growing market, which could be $5-6 billion annually. The market for norovirus vaccines is similar to that of rotavirus in pediatrics with opportunity to expand into the adult population, and represents a $3-6 billion annual market.

Moderna's vaccine portfolio targets large addressable markets, with an estimated total addressable market (TAM) of $52 billon for Moderna infectious disease vaccines, which includes a respiratory vaccines TAM of more than $27 billion and a latent and other vaccines TAM of more than $25 billion.

Manufacturing

The Company's manufacturing innovation supports expanding commercialization of a diverse pipeline through efficiency and productivity gains. Its mRNA manufacturing platform enables benefits such as quality, speed, scale and cost efficiency across a footprint that broadly includes the manufacture of plasmid, mRNA, lipid nanoparticles, as well as fill/finish and quality control capabilities.

As the Company continues to build its footprint for the future, it is developing an agile global manufacturing network to meet commercial demand and support its growing pipeline. Pre-clinical through commercial manufacturing occurs at the Moderna Technology Center in Norwood, Massachusetts, which remains central to the Company's network. New facilities being constructed in Australia, Canada and the UK are expected to come online in 2025, and drug product capacity is achieved through a flexible contract manufacturing network. Additionally, the Company has purchased and started build-out of a manufacturing site in Marlborough, Massachusetts, to enable commercial scale of its individualized neoantigen therapy program.

By continuing to pioneer new technologies, including advanced robotics, applying AI and other digital solutions, and driving network and capital efficiency, Moderna's manufacturing network is expected to also drive more predictable cost of sales.

Research and Development Investment Strategy

Today's updates provide further evidence that Moderna's mRNA technology platform is working, and with a rate of success higher than industry standard. Looking ahead, research and development will continue to be the Company's top capital allocation priority.

As Moderna looks to create value through the research and development strategy for its vaccine portfolio, it is taking three prioritization parameters into consideration: pipeline advancement, revenue diversification and risk reduction. As part of its strategy, the funding options Moderna considers are self-funding, project financing and partnerships.

Moderna recently entered into a development and commercialization funding agreement with Blackstone Life Sciences to advance the Company's flu program. As part of the agreement, Blackstone will fund up to $750 million with a return based on cumulative commercial milestones and low-single digit royalties. Moderna expects to recognize the funding as a reduction in research and development expenses and will retain full rights and control of the Company's flu program. This funding does not result in any change to Moderna's 2024 research and development framework of approximately $4.5 billion.

About Moderna

Moderna is a leader in the creation of the field of mRNA medicine. Through the advancement of mRNA technology, Moderna is reimagining how medicines are made and transforming how we treat and prevent disease for everyone. By working at the intersection of science, technology and health for more than a decade, the company has developed medicines at unprecedented speed and efficiency, including one of the earliest and most effective COVID-19 vaccines.


Moderna's mRNA platform has enabled the development of therapeutics and vaccines for infectious diseases, immuno-oncology, rare diseases and autoimmune diseases. With a unique culture and a global team driven by the Moderna values and mindsets to responsibly change the future of human health, Moderna strives to deliver the greatest possible impact to people through mRNA medicines. For more information about Moderna, please visit modernatx.com and connect with us on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and LinkedIn.

INDICATION (U.S.)

SPIKEVAX (COVID-19 Vaccine, mRNA) is a vaccine indicated for active immunization to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in individuals 18 years of age and older.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION

  • Do not administer to individuals with a known history of severe allergic reaction (e.g., anaphylaxis) to any component of the vaccine.
  • Appropriate medical treatment to manage immediate allergic reactions must be immediately available in the event an acute anaphylactic reaction occurs following administration of the vaccine.
  • Postmarketing data demonstrate increased risks of myocarditis and pericarditis, particularly within 7 days following the second dose. The observed risk is higher among males under 40 years of age than among females and older males. The observed risk is highest in males 18 through 24 years of age.
  • Syncope (fainting) may occur in association with administration of injectable vaccines. Procedures should be in place to avoid injury from fainting.
  • Immunocompromised persons, including individuals receiving immunosuppressive therapy, may have a diminished response to the vaccine.
  • The vaccine may not protect all vaccine recipients.
  • Adverse reactions reported in clinical trials following administration of the vaccine include pain at the injection site, fatigue, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, chills, nausea/vomiting, axillary swelling/tenderness, fever, swelling at the injection site, and erythema at the injection site, and rash.
  • The vaccination provider is responsible for mandatory reporting of certain adverse events to the Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) online at vaers.hhs.gov/reportevent.html or by calling 1-800-822-7967.
  • Please see the SPIKEVAX Full Prescribing Information. For information regarding authorized emergency uses of the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine, please see the EUA Fact Sheet.

Spikevax® is a registered trademark of Moderna.
Fluzone® is a registered trademark of Sanofi Pasteur.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, including statements regarding: the advancement of Moderna's programs under clinical development; the timing for anticipated approvals of vaccine candidates; the efficacy, safety and tolerability of vaccine candidates; the total addressable markets for programs under development; the efficiencies and advantages of Moderna's mRNA platform; future capital allocation and financing efforts; and anticipated spending for R&D in 2024. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "may," "should," "could," "expects," "intends," "plans," "aims," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," "continue," or the negative of these terms or other comparable terminology, although not all forward-looking statements contain these words. The forward-looking statements in this press release are neither promises nor guarantees, and you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements because they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond Moderna's control and which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These risks, uncertainties, and other factors include, among others, those risks and uncertainties described under the heading "Risk Factors" in Moderna's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), and in subsequent filings made by Moderna with the SEC, which are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Except as required by law, Moderna disclaims any intention or responsibility for updating or revising any forward-looking statements contained in this presentation in the event of new information, future developments or otherwise. These forward-looking statements are based on Moderna's current expectations and speak only as of the date of this press release. ​

###

Moderna Contacts

Media:
Chris Ridley
Head, Global Media Relations
+1 617-800-3651
[email protected]

Investors:
Lavina Talukdar
Senior Vice President & Head of Investor Relations
+1 617-209-5834
[email protected]

SOURCE: Moderna, Inc.

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A COVID-19 subvariant being watched by health experts most recently accounted for more than 60% of coronavirus cases in the western region of the United States.

In Stanislaus County, public health officials don’t have many tools for local tracking of COVID-19 variants, including the closely watched JN.1, an offshoot of the BA.2.86 omicron variant.

So far, it’s not the variant with the highest or fastest-growing proportion of cases in Central California.

But the JN.1 variant is driving an overall increase of COVID-19 infections, according to a Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health blog this month. It evades immunity like BA.2.86 but also has mutations allowing it to spread person-to-person more easily.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in December there’s no evidence that JN.1 causes more severe illness or poses more risk than other variants of the virus causing COVID-19 illness. But with repeated infections, there always is a risk of suffering “long COVID” symptoms for months.

The symptoms associated with JN.1 are virtually the same as other omicron strains. It may start with a sore throat, leading to congestion, runny nose, cough, muscle aches and chills. Severe COVID symptoms requiring emergency medical attention include trouble breathing, persistent chest pain, confusion or inability to stay awake.

The CDC said updated vaccines for COVID-19 should provide protection against the different variants, including JN.1.

Hospitals in Stanislaus County are feeling the impact of the COVID-19 and seasonal flu circulating in the community at the same time, as total cases have been increasing.

Kamlesh Kaur, a county health educator, said admissions for COVID-19 were increasing until just recently. The latest count was 23 patients hospitalized, including three receiving intensive care.

The county’s test positivity, as of Jan. 11, was 7.98%, which was lower than the statewide average. The wastewater testing for evidence of COVID on Jan. 6 represented a 14% decrease compared to the previous two weeks.

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    In a recent study published in Communications Materials, scientists reviewed current research on using wearable breath sensors to monitor respiratory parameters such as temperature, airflow, and humidity, and to detect various respiratory biomarkers.

    They also examined the use of these sensors in detecting diseases and observing breathing patterns.

    Study: Recent developments in wearable breath sensors for healthcare monitoring. Image Credit: metamorworks/Shutterstock.comStudy: Recent developments in wearable breath sensors for healthcare monitoring. Image Credit: metamorworks/Shutterstock.com

    Background

    Clinical diagnoses have often used breath analysis to make inferences about systemic health.

    Breath analysis provides a non-invasive method of detecting and analyzing the various chemical signatures in exhaled breath, including the presence of semi-volatile and volatile organic molecules, lipids, proteins, viruses, bacteria, and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), which are indicators of pathological and physiological states.

    Rapid advances in medical technology, nanotechnology, and material science have resulted in a wider range of wearable devices that contain intelligent sensors to monitor physiological parameters.

    With the addition of machine learning algorithms, these devices have a wide range of monitoring capabilities. The development of wearable breath sensors, such as small patches and sensors within masks, allows breath data to be collected and analyzed continuously in real-time.

    In this review, the researchers discussed the traditional methods of breath analysis and the recent developments in wearable breath analysis devices that can be used to perform real-time monitoring of systemic health.

    Breath analysis methods

    The review evaluated the various methods of breath capture or sampling that came under the broad categories of breath exhaled directly into the equipment or device or collected using a polymer bag or other types of containers.

    Some of these devices are incorporated into face masks, providing a portable method to collect exhaled breath condensate and exhaled breath aerosol samples.

    With the sudden increase in face masks due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, flexible breath collector membranes such as those made using porous polycarbonate are being extensively explored to develop wearable breath collection devices.

    The researchers discussed various methods, such as solid phase microextraction, thermal desorption tubes, and needle trap methods, used to develop wearable breath sampling devices.

    The review also discussed conventional breath analysis methods such as selected-ion flow-tube mass spectrometry, gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry, and proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometry. Recent studies have also explored methods such as those using optical absorption spectroscopy and surface-enhanced Raman scattering, which have proved to be effective in biomarker detection in breath samples.

    Electrochemical methods using materials such as carbon nanotubes provide alternate methods for analyzing gas and volatile organic compounds.

    Biomarker detection

    Although conventional breath analyzing techniques provide a quantitative analysis method of biomarkers with high specificity and sensitivity, the cumbersome instruments and high costs hinder accessibility and limit their scope of applications.

    Wearable breath sensory devices with integrated methods to detect biomarkers allow real-time monitoring with ease and comfort.

    These devices can analyze various biomarkers such as oxygen, ammonia, carbon dioxide, hydrogen peroxide, and numerous pathogens. Drastic changes in oxygen levels can help identify hyperoxia or hypoxia — both indicators of ill health.

    Similarly, hypercapnia and hypocapnia — an excess or deficit of carbon dioxide in the breath, respectively — are indicators of respiratory acidosis or alkalosis, both of which can regress into serious health conditions and respiratory arrest.

    An increase in ammonia levels in breath is an indicator of kidney and liver disease or disorders related to the urea cycle. Hydrogen peroxide in exhaled breath often indicates oxidative stress and inflammation in the airways.

    The review also found that recent research has focused on developing respiratory masks with breath sensors to detect respiratory viruses such as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

    Monitoring respiratory parameters

    Apart from biomarkers, wearable breath sensors can also provide continuous real-time monitoring of health parameters such as temperature, airflow, and moisture content of exhaled breath, which are all vital indicators of overall health.

    Airflow and humidity monitoring wearable sensors are based on either resistive or capacitive airflow. Airflow sensors can also be self-powered using the triboelectric or piezoelectric effect. Temperature sensors utilize thermistors with nickel oxide nanoparticles, or calorimetric or pyroelectric sensors.

    Conclusions

    To summarize, the review examined existing and current research on wearable breath-analyzing devices and comprehensively discussed a wide range of applications of these devices, including the real-time and continuous sampling and analysis of biomarkers and respiratory parameters that are indicators of disease and ill health.

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    Rodin Eckenroth / WireImage Sharon and Kelly Stone

    Sharon Stone is giving her fans a happy update on her sister's health.

    The actress, 62, shared on Twitter that her sister no longer has the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).

    "My sister @kellystonesingr & her husband finally tested Covid negative today for the 1st time," she tweeted on Sunday. "Your love, support & rampant discord made changes in policy. You were heard."

    On Aug. 15, Sharon revealed her sister Kelly Stone and Kelly's husband Bruce Singer were both in the hospital with the contagious respiratory virus.

    Sharon later shared a video of Kelly, who said that she was "gasping" for air.

    "I beg you to know that this is real," Kelly said. "I'm gasping for every breath with oxygen. Please do this for the people that you love — stand behind more tests, more masks, demanding everyone wear a mask. You never, ever want to feel like this. I promise you I only have love in my heart, it is breaking for people that can't breathe."

    In the Casino star's earlier video, she shared that Kelly has lupus, which puts her in a high-risk category. She also expressed frustration at the lack of available testing in Montana, where Kelly and her husband live.

    RELATED: Sharon Stone's Sister 'Who Already Had Lupus' Is Hospitalized with COVID-19: 'Fighting for a Breath'

    Montana has had 7,358 positive cases of COVID-19, with 104 deaths, according to data from the New York Times.

    "The stress, the strain, the exhaustion that is happening in that hospital is met with the conflict around the courthouse, where people are carrying guns and saying it's their freedom not to have to wear a mask," Sharon continued in her video, referencing Governor Steve Bullock's July order requiring masks to be worn indoors and outdoors where 50 people or more are gathered.

    The order prompted protests outside the state's Capitol building from people who think it shows too much government control.

    "This is the situation in Montana, where the governor, Steve Bullock, is not returning my calls. Where the health department, where I continuously call, is hanging up on me," Sharon said. "This is the state of affairs in the middle of our country. Where you, the people in the middle of our country are at great risk of dying from COVID."

    "They keep saying that the risks are so small and that you might not die and that it'll be fine," Sharon said, adding that her family's experience has been the opposite. "But I'm telling you what's going on with my family. My grandmother died of COVID, and my godmother died of COVID. My sister and her husband are fighting for their lives and my sister is not doing well."

    RELATED: Sharon Stone Cries as She Remembers Her 'Adopted Grandmother' Who Died from Coronavirus

    "There was no one to help them while they were home alone because there are no kind of nurses that can come to the house there because there's no tests for them," the actress said.

    "When they say there are tests for everyone they are lying. When they say there are tests even for the nurses in the hospitals, they are lying. People are dying and fighting for their lives because there's nothing but lies."

    Stone then called on fans to take action by voting for Joe Biden and Kamala Harris in the upcoming elections.

    "The only thing that's going to change this is if you vote. And if you vote for Biden and if you vote for Kamala Harris," she said in the video. "And the reason that's going to happen is because with women in power, we will fight for our families. We will fight for people to live. And we will fight for people to get tested. Because the only countries that are doing well with COVID are the ones that have women in leadership. Please vote. And please, whatever you do, don't vote for a killer."

    As information about the coronavirus pandemic rapidly changes, PEOPLE is committed to providing the most recent data in our coverage. Some of the information in this story may have changed after publication. For the latest on COVID-19, readers are encouraged to use online resources from CDC, WHO, and local public health departments. PEOPLE has partnered with GoFundMe to raise money for the COVID-19 Relief Fund, a GoFundMe.org fundraiser to support everything from frontline responders to families in need, as well as organizations helping communities. For more information or to donate, click here.



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    Today's early morning highlights from the major news organizations.


    KFF Health News:
    A Mom’s $97,000 Question: How Was Her Baby’s Air-Ambulance Ride Not Medically Necessary?


    Sara England was putting together Ghostbusters costumes for Halloween when she noticed her baby wasn’t doing well. Her 3-month-old son, Amari Vaca, had undergone open-heart surgery two months before, so she called his cardiologist, who recommended getting him checked out. England assigned Amari’s grandparents to trick-or-treat duty with his three older siblings and headed to the local emergency room. (Castle Work, 3/25)


    KFF Health News:
    After Appalachian Hospitals Merged Into A Monopoly, Their ERs Slowed To A Crawl


    In the small Appalachian city of Bristol, Virginia, City Council member Neal Osborne left a meeting on the morning of Jan. 3 and rushed himself to the hospital. Osborne, 36, has Type 1 diabetes. His insulin pump had malfunctioned, and without a steady supply of this essential hormone, Osborne’s blood sugar skyrocketed and his body was shutting down. ... After 12 hours in the waiting room, Osborne said, he was moved to an ER bed, where he stayed until he was sent to the intensive care unit the next day. (Kelman and Liss, 3/25)


    KFF Health News:
    A Paramedic Was Skeptical About This Rx For Stopping Repeat Opioid Overdoses. Then He Saw It Help


    Fire Capt. Jesse Blaire steered his SUV through the mobile home park until he spotted the little beige house with white trim and radioed to let dispatchers know he’d arrived. There, Shawnice Slaughter waited on the steps, wiping sleep from her eyes. ... Three days earlier, Blaire — a paramedic who leads the fire department’s emergency medical team — met Slaughter at a nearby hospital. She had overdosed on opioids. It took four vials of an overdose reversal medication and dozens of chest compressions to get her breathing again. (Peace, 3/25)


    The Washington Post:
    Kate Middleton’s Diagnosis Comes Amid Rise In Some Early-Onset Cancers


    The cancer diagnosis for Catherine, Princess of Wales, comes amid rising rates of certain cancers among young people globally. Although details of her condition remain sparse, doctors said the illness of the 42-year-old royal underscores the importance of cancer screening for people who have higher risk factors such as a family history of the disease. ... Catherine’s global celebrity and acknowledgment of her cancer, experts said, could shine a light on a troubling rise in certain cancers among people under 50. (Ovalle and Achenbach, 3/22)


    The New York Times:
    Diagnosis Of Princess Kate’s Cancer Followed Familiar Pattern, Doctors Say


    Although it is not known what type of cancer Princess Catherine has, oncologists say that what she described in her public statement that was released on Friday — discovering a cancer during another procedure, in this case a “major abdominal surgery” — is all too common. “Unfortunately, so much of the cancer we diagnose is unexpected,” said Dr. Elena Ratner, a gynecologic oncologist at Yale Cancer Center who has diagnosed many patients with ovarian cancer, uterine cancer and cancers of the lining of the uterus. (Kolata, 3/22)


    Fortune:
    Katie Couric Says Too Many People Think Colorectal Cancer Is A Man’s Disease. She's Imploring Women To Get Potential Lifesaving Screenings


    The risk of developing colorectal cancer is 1 in 23 for men and 1 in 25 for women, according to the American Cancer Society.  “Women, especially younger women, believe this is an old man’s disease, and that’s simply not true,” she says. “Women are diagnosed with colorectal cancer as often as men. I think sometimes people get colons and prostates confused.” ... Colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in the U.S., and over 50,000 people are estimated to die from the diagnosis in 2024. (Mikhail, 3/22)


    Fortune:
    Does Medicare Cover A Colonoscopy? Yes, And Several Other Colorectal Cancer Screening Tests, Too


    Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer worldwide. Older adults should take note: “Most cases of colorectal cancer are detected after age 55, and the risk increases with age,” says Dr. Josh Forman, a gastroenterologist at the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center and GastroHealth Towson. The good news: Early detection can prevent over 90% of colorectal cancer-related deaths. But almost 30% of people between ages 50 and 75 have not gotten screened. (Zable Fisher, 3/22)


    Reuters:
    US FDA Grants Full Approval To AbbVie's Ovarian Cancer Therapy


    he U.S. Food and Drug Administration said on Friday it had granted traditional approval for AbbVie's (ABBV.N) "guided missile" cancer therapy, Elahere, for patients with a type of ovarian cancer. Elahere was approved for adult patients with a type of cancer which affects the ovaries, fallopian tube, or walls of the abdomen, and have received one to three prior lines of treatment, according to the FDA. (3/22)


    AP:
    Mifepristone Access Is Coming Before The US Supreme Court. How Safe Is This Abortion Pill? 


    The U.S. Supreme Court will take up a case Tuesday that could impact how women get access to mifepristone, one of the two pills used in the most common type of abortion in the nation. The central dispute in the case is whether the Food and Drug Administration overlooked serious safety problems when it made mifepristone easier to obtain, including through mail-order pharmacies. (Ungar and Perrone, 3/24)


    Modern Healthcare:
    How FDA Approval Could Jumpstart AI Use In Medical Devices


    When it comes to commercializing artificial intelligence solutions, many digital health companies face a long road that runs directly through Silver Spring, Maryland. Silver Spring is the headquarters of the Food and Drug Administration, the agency providing clearances, designations and approvals for an increasing number of AI-enabled medical device and software products. (Perna, 3/22)


    CNBC:
    Nvidia's AI Ambitions In Medicine And Health Care Are Becoming Clear


    Last week, Nvidia announced deals with Johnson & Johnson for use of generative AI in surgery, and with GE Healthcare to improve medical imaging. The health care developments at its 2024 GTC AI conference, — which also included the launch of roughly two dozen new AI-powered, healthcare-focused tools — demonstrate just how important medicine is to Nvidia’s non-tech sector revenue opportunities in the future. (Castillo, 3/24)


    Politico:
    Who Pays When AI Steers Your Doctor Wrong?


    Doctors using new artificial intelligence tools to help them diagnose and treat their patients say they wish Congress would provide some clarity on a big unanswered question: Who pays if AI makes a mistake? Advancements in AI promise to improve care, but only if doctors trust the systems and are protected from liability, according to the country’s leading physicians’ group, the American Medical Association. (Payne, 3/24)


    Modern Healthcare:
    Congress Passes $1.2T Spending Bill That Includes HHS Funding


    Congress passed the final measure early Saturday morning funding Health and Human Services Department operations, among other government programs, for the remainder of the fiscal year. Congress struggled for months to move the 12 annual appropriations bills it is supposed to pass by Sept. 30 every year. Having missed the regular deadline, it repeatedly passed stopgap funding bills to keep the government open. (McAuliff, 3/23)


    The Hill:
    Global AIDS Program Survives, But Backers ‘Not Satisfied’


    America’s global AIDS relief program has been authorized for another year in the bipartisan budget deal, but public health advocates say the single year sends a worrying signal about U.S. commitment on the issue moving forward. ... It’s the first time the program has not been given a five-year extension. (Choi, 3/23)


    Reuters:
    US Appeals Court Curtails EPA's Ability To Regulate PFAS Under Toxic Substances Law


    A federal appeals court has vacated two U.S. Environmental Protection Agency orders prohibiting a Texas plastics treatment company from manufacturing toxic “forever chemicals” while treating plastic containers used to hold things like pesticides and household cleaners. A unanimous three-judge panel of the New Orleans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Thursday agreed with Inhance Technologies that the EPA overstepped its authority by issuing the orders, since they were rooted in a section of the federal toxic chemical law reserved for regulating "new" chemicals. (Mindock, 3/22)


    Newsweek:
    FDA Settles Lawsuit Over Ivermectin Social Media Posts


    The FDA has agreed to delete and never republish several social-media posts suggesting that ivermectin, a drug that some doctors used to treat COVID-19, is for animals and not humans. While the FDA still does not approve of using ivermectin to treat COVID, it settled Thursday a lawsuit brought by three doctors who sued it, as well as the Department of Health and Human Services and its secretary, Xavier Becerra, and FDA secretary Robert Califf. All parties have settled. (Bond, 3/22)


    The New York Times:
    Kamala Harris Visits Parkland And Urges States To Adopt Red-Flag Gun Laws


    Vice President Kamala Harris on Saturday toured the still-bloody and bullet-pocked classroom building in Parkland, Fla., where a gunman killed 14 students and three staff members in 2018, using the grim backdrop to announce a new federal resource center and to call for stricter enforcement of gun laws. The freshman building at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School had been preserved as evidence for criminal trials and is set to be demolished this summer. (Shear, 3/23)


    The Hill:
    Biden Campaign Uses ObamaCare Anniversary To Hammer Trump On Health Care


    President Biden is using the anniversary of the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA) passage to hammer former President Trump’s record on health care and capitalize on his threats to repeal the law. In a new digital ad released Friday ahead of the 14th anniversary of the law, the Biden campaign sought to highlight Trump’s repeated repeal threats and underscore the consequences if he were to win a second term. (Weixel, 3/22)


    The New York Times:
    How A Pandemic Malaise Is Shaping American Politics


    In March 2020, when Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Donald J. Trump competed for the White House for the first time, American life became almost unrecognizable. A deadly virus and a public health lockdown remade daily routines with startling speed, leaving little time for the country to prepare. ... Public confidence in institutions — the presidency, public schools, the criminal justice system, the news media, Congress — slumped in surveys in the aftermath of the pandemic and has yet to recover. (Lerer, Medina, and Epstein, 3/24)


    The New York Times:
    U.S. Measles Cases Surpass 2023 Levels, C.D.C. Says


    There have now been 64 measles cases in the United States this year, surpassing the total of 58 cases in all of 2023, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The rise in cases should “alert us, rather than alarm us,” said Dr. Demetre Daskalakis, director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases at the C.D.C. (Blum, 3/22)


    Reuters:
    Measles Cases In US Rise To 62 As Of Thursday, Says CDC


    The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Friday the number of measles cases in the United States has increased to 62 as of Thursday, higher than the whole of last year. The CDC issued a health advisory on Monday urging people, particularly children and international travelers, to get vaccinated against measles due to the increase in cases this year. Total cases were at 58 last week. (3/22)


    CIDRAP:
    US Flu Activity Declines, Along With Other Respiratory Viruses 


    Flu activity finally declined last week following a lengthy post-holiday bump, though levels are still elevated, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said today in its latest weekly FluView report. In its weekly respiratory virus snapshot, the CDC said indicators of COVID and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) also declined. (Schnirring, 3/22)


    NPR:
    Starbucks Mug Recall: More Than 440,000 Mugs Recalled After Injury Reports


    Nestlé says it is recalling more than 440,000 Starbucks mugs that were recently sold, following reports of at least a dozen people suffering severe burns or cuts on their hands or fingers after using the product. The mugs were manufactured by Nestlé USA and sold as part of a 2023 holiday Starbucks-branded gift set sold online and at Target, Walmart and Nexcom, a military retail outlet, according to a recall notice posted on Thursday by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. (Franklin, 3/21)


    The New York Times:
    Patients Hate ‘Forever’ Drugs. Are Ozempic And Wegovy Different? 


    Most people, study after study shows, don’t take the medicines prescribed for them. It doesn’t matter what they are — statins, high blood pressure drugs, drugs to lower blood sugar, asthma drugs. Either patients never start taking them, or they stop. ... But that resistance may be overcome by the blockbuster obesity drugs Wegovy and Zepbound, which have astounded the world with the way they help people lose weight and keep it off. (Kolata, 3/24)


    CIDRAP:
    Study Highlights Potential To Reduce Antibiotic Use In Newborns


    A large nationwide study in Sweden found that low exposure to antibiotics in newborns treated in neonatal units over a 9-year period was not associated with an increased risk of early-onset sepsis (EOS), researchers reported today in JAMA Network Open. But the study also found that the number of newborns who are treated with antibiotics is higher than it should be, given the low prevalence of EOS and low mortality associated with the condition, a finding the study authors say indicates that efforts to reduce unnecessary antibiotic use in newborns are needed. (Dall, 3/22)


    CIDRAP:
    New Data Show Paxlovid Outperforms Molnupiravir Against Severe COVID-19 Outcomes


    A large study yesterday in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases shows that, if prescribed within 5 days of confirmed infection, Paxlovid (nirmatrelvir-ritonavir) is more effective in protecting against all-cause mortality and severe COVID-19 in adults than is molnupiravir, another antiviral drug. The study was conducted in Hong Kong in 2022. (Soucheray, 3/22)


    CIDRAP:
    Study Finds Bivalent COVID Vaccine Not Tied To Stroke Risk


    Earlier this week in JAMA, researchers published data on the risk of stroke among Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 years and older in the immediate weeks following a bivalent (two-strain) COVID-19 vaccine dose, finding no significantly elevated risk during the first 6 weeks following injection. (Soucheray, 3/22)


    CIDRAP:
    New Neurologic Issues Less Likely After Severe COVID Than Flu, Research Suggests


    Adults hospitalized for COVID-19 were at lower risk of needing medical care for migraine, epilepsy, neuropathy, movement disorders, stroke, and dementia in the next year than matched patients with influenza, researchers from Yale University and the University of Michigan report in Neurology. They point out, however, that their study did not assess the effects of long COVID. (Van Beusekom, 3/22)


    The New York Times:
    What’s Next For The Coronavirus?


    Rat droppings from New York City. Poop from dog parks in Wisconsin. Human waste from a Missouri hospital. These are some of the materials that are readying us for the next chapter of the coronavirus saga. More than four years into the pandemic, the virus has loosened its hold on most people’s bodies and minds. But a new variant better able to dodge our immune defenses may yet appear, derailing a hard-won return to normalcy. Scientists around the country are watching for the first signs. (Mandavilli, 3/22)


    CNN:
    Eli Lilly Warns Of Temporary Short Supply Of Two Insulin Products 


    Drugmaker Eli Lilly warned this week that two of its formulations of insulin would be temporarily out of stock through the beginning of April, citing a “brief delay in manufacturing.” The 10-milliliter vials of Humalog and insulin lispro injection will be in short supply at wholesalers and some pharmacies, Lilly said in a statement posted online Wednesday. (Tirrell, 3/22)


    Reuters:
    UnitedHealth Unit Will Start Processing $14 Billion Medical Claims Backlog After Hack


    UnitedHealth Group (UNH.N) said on Friday its Change Healthcare unit will start to process the medical claims backlog of more than $14 billion as it resumes some software services disrupted by a cyberattack last month. The company has been scrambling to resume services at the technology unit that was hit by a cyberattack on Feb. 21, disrupting payments to U.S. doctors and healthcare facilities and forcing the U.S. government to launch a probe. (Leo, 3/22)


    Modern Healthcare:
    Claim Denials Cost Hospitals $20 Billion In 2022: Premier Report 


    Hospitals and health systems spend an estimated $19.7 billion a year managing denied claims for care, a new report shows. Premier, a group purchasing and consulting organization that works with thousands of providers, polled 516 hospitals that offered their 2022 claims data. Nearly 15% of claims, on average, were denied at a cost of close to $44 a claim, excluding related clinical labor expenses, the survey found. (Kacik, 3/22)


    Modern Healthcare:
    Tenet-Leased Facilities Sold To Sila Realty Trust


    Five healthcare properties leased by Tenet Healthcare in Arizona and Texas were acquired by Sila Realty Trust Inc. in a $85.5 million deal. The seller was not disclosed. The five facilities operate under local, Tenet-affiliated hospital brands. Tenet does not own any of the acquired properties, a spokesperson for Sila Realty said. (DeSilva, 3/22)


    Reuters:
    Nursing Home Co. Petersen Health Likely To Break Up In Bankruptcy Sale


    Elder care company Petersen Health Care plans to sell its nursing homes to new care providers in bankruptcy, likely dividing its assets among multiple buyers, a company attorney said Friday. Petersen believes that its nursing homes may be worth between $215 million and $305 million, as long as they remain operational and continue to provide a high level of care to residents, Petersen attorney Dan McGuire said at the company’s first court appearance since filing for bankruptcy Wednesday in Wilmington, Delaware. (Knauth, 3/22)


    The Wall Street Journal:
    Masimo To Separate Consumer Business


    Masimo will look to separate its baby monitor and smart watch businesses, months after the company won its years-long expensive legal battle against Apple over certain features in its watches. The Irvine, Calif.-based medical technology company said Friday that its board had authorized management to evaluate a proposed separation of its consumer business. Masimo expects the separation to include its consumer audio and consumer health products. (Glickman, 3/22)


    AP:
    Using Public Funds Or Facilities For Gender-Affirming Care Banned By GOP-Led Idaho Legislature


    The GOP-led Idaho Legislature has passed a bill that would ban the use of any public funds for gender-affirming care, including for state employees using work health insurance and for adults covered by Medicaid. The Senate overwhelmingly approved the measure Friday after it previously passed through the House. It will be sent to Republican Gov. Brad Little’s desk, where he is expected to sign it into law. The governor has said repeatedly he does not believe public funds should be used for gender-affirming care. (3/22)


    AP:
    Texas Medical Panel Won't Provide List Of Exceptions To Abortion Ban


    A Texas medical panel on Friday rebuffed calls to list specific exceptions to one of the most restrictive abortions bans in the U.S., which physicians say is dangerously unclear and has forced women with serious pregnancy complications to leave the state. The head of the Texas Medical Board also said that wider issues surrounding the law — such as the lack of exceptions in cases of rape or incest — were beyond the authority of the 16-member panel, twelve of whom are men. Only one member of the board is an obstetrician and gynecologist. (Stengle, 3/22)


    AP:
    Republican Lawmaker Says Kentucky's Newly Passed Shield Bill Protects IVF Services


    Kentucky legislation shielding doctors and other health providers from criminal liability was written broadly enough to apply to in vitro fertilization services, a Republican lawmaker said Friday as the bill won final passage. The measure, which now goes to Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, would accomplish what other bills sought to do to safeguard access to IVF services, GOP state Sen. Whitney Westerfield said in an interview. (Schreiner, 3/22)


    AP:
    Wyoming Governor Vetoes Abortion Restrictions, Signs Transgender Medical Care Ban For Minors


    Wyoming’s governor on Friday vetoed a bill that would have erected significant barriers to abortion, should it remain legal in the state, and signed legislation banning gender-affirming care for minors. The abortion bill rejected by Gov. Mark Gordon, a Republican, would have required facilities providing surgical abortions to be licensed as outpatient surgical centers, adding to their cost and the burdens they face to operate. (Gruver, 3/22)


    This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.

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    In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the significance of maintaining a clean and safe work environment has been brought into sharp focus. In Fresno, CA, where businesses grapple with the challenges posed by the ongoing health crisis, the importance of proactive cleaning and disinfection measures cannot be overstated. 

    As organizations navigate the complexities of reopening and sustaining operations amidst evolving health guidelines, the role of professional Covid cleaning services emerges as a vital component in safeguarding the health and well-being of employees and customers alike. Let’s learn more about the Covid Cleaning Services Fresno CA to understand its nuances. 

    Navigating Unprecedented Challenges

    Running a business during the COVID-19 era presents unprecedented challenges. Balancing the imperative to protect public health with the need to sustain business operations requires careful planning and execution. 

    How can businesses ensure the safety of their employees and patrons while continuing to meet operational demands? How can they mitigate the risk of viral transmission within their premises? The answers lie in implementing comprehensive cleaning and disinfection protocols, guided by expert knowledge and best practices.

    The Importance of Regular Cleaning and Disinfecting

    Regular cleaning and disinfecting have emerged as essential strategies in preventing the spread of COVID-19 and mitigating the risk of viral transmission. The SARS-CoV-2 virus, responsible for COVID-19, is highly contagious and can survive on surfaces for extended periods, making thorough cleaning protocols imperative. 

    Commercial cleaning professionals bring expertise in combating viral threats and utilize EPA-recommended disinfectants to effectively eliminate pathogens from workplace surfaces. By engaging professional cleaning services, businesses can ensure a consistent and thorough approach to cleanliness, providing employees and customers with peace of mind amidst uncertain times.

    Understanding Covid-19 Symptoms and Transmission

    The symptoms of COVID-19 vary widely, ranging from respiratory symptoms such as coughing and shortness of breath to gastrointestinal issues and loss of taste or smell. Additionally, asymptomatic carriers can unknowingly spread the virus, underscoring the importance of proactive measures to prevent transmission. 

    Businesses must remain vigilant and prioritize the health and safety of their stakeholders by adhering to CDC guidelines and local health regulations.

    Preventing the Spread of Covid-19 in Commercial Spaces

    Preventing the spread of COVID-19 requires a multifaceted approach that encompasses adherence to public health guidelines, provision of personal protective equipment (PPE), and implementation of robust cleaning and disinfection protocols. Businesses should prioritize the following measures:

    • Compliance with CDC guidelines and local regulations regarding business operations and safety protocols.
    • Provision of adequate PPE for employees and, where feasible, customers entering the premises.
    • Clear communication of expectations regarding PPE usage, responsible interaction with customers, and adherence to hygiene practices.
    • Adoption of stringent cleaning and disinfection procedures, with a focus on high-touch surfaces and frequently used areas.
    • Utilization of EPA-approved disinfectants effective against SARS-CoV-2, following manufacturer recommendations for application and contact times.
    • Preparedness to address potential contamination events, including thorough disinfection and temporary closure if necessary.
    • Adherence to industry-specific guidelines and protocols tailored to the unique needs of the business environment.

    The Role of Commercial Cleaning in Fighting Viral Infections

    Commercial cleaning services play a pivotal role in combating viral infections by leveraging specialized knowledge, advanced equipment, and rigorous cleaning protocols. Professional cleaners offer several advantages:

    • Timely and scheduled cleanings ensure ongoing protection against viral threats, minimizing the risk of transmission.
    • Well-equipped cleaning teams utilize EPA-approved disinfectants specifically formulated to combat emerging pathogens like SARS-CoV-2.
    • Thorough and comprehensive cleaning practices target high-touch areas and hidden sources of contamination, reducing the risk of viral spread.
    • Experienced cleaners adhere to industry standards and guidelines, staying abreast of best practices for infection prevention and control.

    The Efficacy of Disinfectants Against Covid-19

    In the face of the unprecedented threat posed by SARS-CoV-2, EPA-approved disinfectants have emerged as powerful tools in the fight against the novel coronavirus. These disinfectants have demonstrated efficacy against emerging viral pathogens, including the highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 virus responsible for COVID-19. The EPA maintains a comprehensive list of disinfectants recommended for use against SARS-CoV-2, equipping businesses with access to effective cleaning solutions that can help mitigate the spread of the virus.

    Partnering with commercial cleaning professionals allows businesses to leverage proven disinfection protocols and implement rigorous cleaning practices to ensure a safe and hygienic environment for employees and customers alike. By adhering to EPA guidelines and using approved disinfectants, businesses can enhance their cleaning efforts and instill confidence in the safety measures implemented within their facilities. 

    In the ongoing battle against COVID-19, the efficacy of disinfectants serves as a critical component in safeguarding public health and mitigating the risk of transmission in shared spaces.

    Summing Up: Prioritizing Safety Through Proactive Cleaning

    In Fresno, CA, and beyond, the importance of Covid cleaning services in safeguarding public health and promoting workplace safety cannot be overstated. By investing in professional cleaning and disinfection services, businesses demonstrate a commitment to the well-being of their employees and patrons. 

    As organizations navigate the complexities of operating in a pandemic landscape, proactive cleaning measures emerge as a cornerstone of responsible business practices. By partnering with reputable cleaning professionals and adhering to established guidelines, businesses can create a safe and welcoming environment for all stakeholders, contributing to the collective effort to combat COVID-19 and protect community health. Know more about cleaning here









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    Introduction

    The coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) is defined as an illness caused by a novel coronavirus called severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Most people infected with the virus will experience mild to moderate respiratory symptoms and recover without needing treatment.1 Fever, sore throat, cough, shortness of breath, diarrhoea, and widespread weariness are the most prevalent symptoms. Acute respiratory distress syndrome, myocarditis, heart failure, renal failure, and recurrent pulmonary embolism are all complications of COVID-19.2

    The most frequent neurological symptoms of COVID-19 infection are anosmia, ageusia, and headache. However, case series and observational studies show data on a large number of patients who develop cerebrovascular accidents (CVD), Guillain-Barré syndrome (G.B.S.), de novo status epilepticus and encephalopathy.3 In clinical terms, lower motor neuron lesion facial palsy is called Bell’s palsy. Bell’s palsy is usually idiopathic unilateral, acute weakness of the face and may be partial or complete, occurring with equal frequency on either side of the face.4 Additionally, tumours, trauma, infection, autoimmune illnesses, vasculitis, pregnancy and medicines can also cause Bell’s palsy.

    After the COVID-19 pandemic, there was a documented link between COVID-19 and Bell’s palsy.5 Although, there was no clear explanation at the time; possible explanations include it could be caused by the direct action of the virus, an autoimmune response, or the recurrence of a coexisting herpes zoster infection.5 Additionally, in numerous countries, including the United States, a relationship between COVID-19 vaccines and lower motor neuron lesion facial palsy has been observed, although the causative link has yet to be proven.6 Although the precise mechanism of the neurological difficulties induced by COVID-19 vaccines is unknown, numerous theories have been proposed to classify these neurological disorders, including vascular, immunological, infectious, and functional causes.7

    Cases’ Presentation

    Case 1

    A 65-year-old Sudanese woman was admitted to Omdurman Teaching Hospital with a high-grade fever and dry irritating cough. Clinical examination indicated a feverish patient with a pulse rate of 100 beats per minute and blood pressure of 100/70 mm Hg. Apart from the previous findings, clinical examination of the respiratory, cardiovascular, neurological and abdominal systems were normal. Her COVID-19 real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test was positive.

    Three days after admission she complained of incomplete left eye closure and right-sided mouth deviation. A lower motor neuron injury affecting the facial nerve was discovered during cranial nerves and higher functions examination (facial nerve palsy). (Figure 1) Other cranial nerves were found to be normal. She did not experience skin eruptions, parotid enlargement, or tongue fissures. Upper and lower limb examinations were performed and found to be normal. She has no truncal or neck weakness and no area of hypoesthesia. Complete blood count (C.B.C), blood urea, serum creatinine, chest X-ray, and CT-brain were among the tests performed. All the tests were within normal limits. Following her COVID-19 infection, a diagnosis of Bell’s palsy was made. She was treated with prednisolone 60 mg daily for five days, then reduced by 10 mg daily. After ten days of corticosteroids, she exhibited significant improvement. No antiviral therapy nor physiotherapy was used for her condition.

    Figure 1 An incomplete left eye closure and a right-sided mouth deviation (Bell’s palsy) following COVID-19 infection.

    Case 2

    A 45-year-old Sudanese man with no history of diabetes or hypertension presented to our private neurology clinic with an inability to close his right eye. On neurological examination, facial paralysis on the right side and a leftward displacement of the mouth were found. (Figure 2) All other neurological studies were within the normal range (muscle tone, reflexes).

    Figure 2 Facial paralysis on the right side, inability to close the right eye and leftward displacement of the mouth following AstraZeneca vaccine administration.

    The findings appeared three days after receiving the AZD1222 Vaxzervria (AstraZeneca) COVID-19 vaccination. Facial damage, ear pain and ear skin eruption did not precede the paralysis. His sense of taste was intact, and no transitory neurological symptoms preceded the event he described. He appeared ill, pale, and anxious during the assessment. His pulse rate was 87 beats per minute and his blood pressure was 130/75 mm Hg. There were no abnormalities found on systemic evaluation. He was diagnosed with a right-sided lower motor neuron lesion of the seventh cranial nerve, and the abnormalities were confined to the peripheral nervous system. Blood urea, serum creatinine, urine analysis, and a brain MRI were all performed and the results came back normal. Due to the absence of any apparent symptoms or signs that could specify the cause, a diagnosis of right-sided lower motor neuron lesion facial nerve palsy caused by the COVID-19 AZD1222 Vaxzervria (AstraZeneca) vaccine was made. He was treated with prednisolone 60 mg daily for five days, then reduced by 10 mg daily. After ten days of corticosteroids, he exhibited significant improvement. No antiviral therapy nor physiotherapy was used for his condition.

    Discussion

    COVID-19 is predominantly a respiratory illness, but it can cause multiple neurological symptoms such as headache, Guillain-Barre syndrome, transverse myelitis, epilepsy, and cranial nerve palsies.8 Bell’s palsy is an idiopathic, acute peripheral-nerve palsy involving the facial nerve, which supplies all the muscles of facial expression. The annual incidence of Bell’s palsy is 15 to 30 per 100,000 persons, with equal numbers of men and women affected. There is no preference for either side of the face. Bell’s palsy has been described in patients of all ages, with a peak incidence in the 40s.9

    In this report, we documented two cases of Bell’s palsy, one after exposure to COVID-19 infection and the other after administration of COVID-19 AZD1222 Vaxzervria (AstraZeneca) Vaccine. Bell’s palsy is usually idiopathic; however, hypertension, diabetes, obesity, pregnancy, preeclampsia, trauma, tumours, infections, autoimmune illnesses and vasculitis have all been linked. According to the Clinical Practice Guidelines, which have identified Bell’s palsy as a diagnosis of exclusion, we considered all related causes of Bell’s palsy in our report.10 Other possible causes of Bell’s palsy such as trauma, malignancy, congenital causes, post-surgical and infectious etiologies were all negative after clinical evaluation. Thus, the diagnosis of Bell’s palsy for our two cases due to COVID-19 infection and COVID-19 AZD1222 Vaxzervria (AstraZeneca) vaccine was confirmed. The aetiology of Bell’s palsy following exposure to COVID-19 infection or vaccination requires further analysis, but it could be due to direct facial nerve inflammation and nerve compression inside the facial nerve canal. Another observed cause was immune-mediated damage to the facial nerve.7 Bell’s palsy is a severe unusual side effect of messenger R.N.A. (mRNA) COVID-19 vaccines. It is believed to be immune-mediated possibly via vaccine antigens mimicking host molecules or by activating autoreactive dormant T-cells, with a prevalence after mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccine not higher than the standard viral immunizations.11 According to a study by Wan et al in Hong Kong on the relationship between Bell’s palsy and the mRNA-based BNT162 b2 vaccine, patients who received the COVID-19 vaccine have a higher risk of getting Bell’s palsy than those who were not vaccinated.5 According to the US Food and Drug Administration and the UK Medicine and Healthcare Regulatory Agency, the observed prevalence of Bell’s palsy among vaccinated persons was no more significant than the expected background rate.12

    Most of Bell’s palsy cases improved independently over time. Clinically important improvement occurs within 3 weeks in 85% of people and 3 to 5 months in the remaining 15%; however, some cases remain with residual facial weakness.4 Both patients in this report showed significant improvement after 10-day courses of corticosteroids.

    Conclusion

    COVID-19 infections have various clinical presentations including Bell’s palsy, a relatively rare symptom following COVID-19 infection as well as vaccination. This case report presented 2 cases of Bell’s palsy following COVID-19 infection and Vaccination. Nevertheless, the benefits of immunization outweigh the low reported incidence of similar vaccine’s adverse effects.

    Data Sharing Statement

    The data used in this report is available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

    Consent for Publication

    Both patients provided written informed consent for their case details and images to be published.

    No institutional approval was required to publish this case report.

    Acknowledgment

    We acknowledge that this manuscript was released as a preprint in Authorea under the DOI: doi.org/10.22541/au.164787778.85729887/v1.

    Author Contributions

    All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

    Funding

    The authors themselves funded the study, and no funds were granted.

    Disclosure

    The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest in this work.

    References

    1. World Health Organization. Coronavirus; 2020. Available from: www.who.int/health-topics/coronavirus. Accessed March 13, 2024.

    2. Wang D, Hu B, Hu C, et al. Clinical characteristics of 138 hospitalized patients with 2019 novel Coronavirus–Infected pneumonia in Wuhan, China. JAMA. 2020;323(11):1061. doi:10.1001/jama.2020.1585

    3. Camargo-Martínez W, Lozada-Martínez ID, Escobar-Collazos A, et al. Post-COVID 19 neurological syndrome: implications for sequelae’s treatment. J Clin Neurosci. 2021;88:219–225. doi:10.1016/j.jocn.2021.04.001

    4. Holland NJ, Bernstein JM. Bell’s palsy. BMJ Clin Evid. 2014;2014:1204.

    5. Wan EYF, Chui CSL, Lai FTT, et al. Bell’s palsy following vaccination with mRNA (BNT162b2) and inactivated (CoronaVac) SARS-CoV-2 vaccines: a case series and nested case-control study. Lancet Infect Dis. 2022;22(1):64–72. doi:10.1016/s1473-3099(21)00451-5

    6. Kyriakidis NC, López‐Cortés A, González EV, Barreto-Grimaldos A, Ortiz‐Prado E. SARS-CoV-2 vaccines strategies: a comprehensive review of Phase 3 candidates. Npj Vaccines. 2021;6(1). doi:10.1038/s41541-021-00292-w

    7. Yang Y, Huang L. Neurological disorders following COVID-19 Vaccination. Vaccines. 2023;11(6):1114. doi:10.3390/vaccines11061114

    8. Garg RK, Paliwal VK. Spectrum of neurological complications following COVID-19 vaccination. Neurol Sci. 2021;43(1):3–40. doi:10.1007/s10072-021-05662-9

    9. Tiemstra JD, Khatkhate N. Bell’s palsy: diagnosis and management. PubMed. 2007;76(7):997–1002.

    10. Baugh RF, Basura GJ, Ishii LE, et al. Clinical Practice guideline: bell’s palsy. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2013;149(S3). doi:10.1177/0194599813505967

    11. Renoud L, Khouri C, Revol B, et al. Association of facial paralysis with mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. JAMA Intern Med. 2021;181(9):1243. doi:10.1001/jamainternmed.2021.2219

    12. Cirillo N, Doan R. Bell’s palsy and SARS-CoV-2 vaccines—an unfolding story. Lancet Infect Dis. 2021;21(9):1210–1211. doi:10.1016/s1473-3099(21)00273-5

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    Post-Covid conditions is a reality plaguing many across the world. At least 65 million individuals worldwide are estimated to have long COVID, with cases increasing daily, says a study by Hannah E Davis and others, the findings of which were published in nature reviews microbiology last year.

    "Long COVID (sometimes referred to as ‘post-acute sequelae of COVID-19’) is a multisystemic condition comprising often severe symptoms that follow a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection," it said.

    According to a recent study by Queensland Health researchers, long COVID appears to manifest as a post-viral syndrome indistinguishable from seasonal influenza and other respiratory illnesses, with no evidence of increased moderate-to-severe functional limitations a year after infection.

    The research, by authors including Queensland’s Chief Health Officer, is being presented at this year’s European Congress of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ECCMID 2024) in Barcelona, Spain (April 27-30).

    The study suggests that in the highly vaccinated population of Queensland exposed to the Omicron variant, long COVID’s impact on the health system is likely to stem from the sheer number of people infected with SARS-CoV-2 within a short period of time, rather than the severity of long COVID symptoms or functional impairment.

    The findings add to previous research by the same authors and published in BMJ Public Health which found no difference in ongoing symptoms and functional impairment when COVID-19 was compared with influenza,12 weeks post infection.

    Rates of long COVID in Australia are low due to high vaccination rates upon easing of COVID restrictions and the population's subsequent exposure to the Omicron variant. Symptoms reported with the illness include fatigue, brain fog, cough, shortness of breath, change to smell and taste, dizziness, and rapid or irregular heartbeat.

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    (MENAFN- Straits Research) Respiratory disposables connect respiratory equipment like ventilators, nebulizers, and oxygen therapy devices. Respiratory disposables include disposable oxygen masks, disposable resuscitators, and disposable tubes. Healthcare workers wear disposable respiratory protective equipment during procedures to prevent them from spreading microorganisms, bodily fluids, and foreign particles. Treatment for respiratory conditions like asthma, sleep apnea, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is provided by respiratory disposables (COPD). In addition to preventing infections, they also lessen the financial strain on hospitals, save time, and boost demand.
    Market Dynamics
    Increasing Respiratory Illnesses Drive the Global Market
    In the coming years, it is projected that an increase in the incidence of respiratory diseases that impact the respiratory system will help the sector flourish. There will be 38% more cases of lung cancer worldwide by 2030. The substantial rise in the prevalence of respiratory disorders is also projected to drive up the price of respiratory disposables. Due to the anticipated increase in the prevalence of respiratory diseases, including asthma and COPD, the global market for respiratory disposables is expected to expand.
    Rising Number of Viruses Attacking the Respiratory System Creates Tremendous Opportunities
    Respiratory viruses are people's most frequent disease-inducing agents and have a significant global impact on morbidity and mortality. Common respiratory pathogens from different virus families are well-suited for efficient person-to-person transmission worldwide. The respiratory viruses that circulate most frequently as endemic or epidemic agents include the influenza virus, respiratory syncytial virus, parainfluenza viruses, metapneumovirus, rhinovirus, coronavirus, adenovirus, and bocavirus. The market for respiratory disposables is expected to increase significantly due to the outbreak of these viruses because these products help to prevent the transmission of infections from one person to another.
    Regional Analysis
    North America is the most significant shareholder in the global respiratory disposables market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.3% during the forecast period. North America has a sizable growth opportunity due to the government's focus on improving the healthcare infrastructure. The U.S. gained the highest revenue share due to the rising demand for maintaining a higher standard of living, the availability of skilled workers, and significant market players. The prevalence of state-of-the-art healthcare facilities with qualified medical staff, rising disposable demand for respiratory products, and increasing incidences of respiratory diseases like lung cancer, asthma, and COPD all contribute significantly to North America's market growth.
    Europe is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.5% generating USD 989.82 million during the forecast period. During the forecast period, the respiratory disposables market in European countries is anticipated to grow steadily due to consumer demand for better respiratory disposables and the substantial presence of key players like Medtronic Plc. and Air Liquide S.A. A rise in the prevalence of respiratory diseases, an increase in air pollution, and new product developments in respiratory disposables are also significant growth drivers in Europe. The availability of qualified professionals and the development of the healthcare infrastructure are two additional key growth drivers for the Europe respiratory disposables market.
    Key Highlights

    The global respiratory disposables market was valued at USD 1.49 billion in 2021. It is projected to reach USD 3.4 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 9.6 % during the forecast period (2022–2030).
    Based on product, the global respiratory disposables market is bifurcated into laryngoscopes, tubes, breathing bags, masks, resuscitators, and others. The resuscitators segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.9% during the forecast period.
    Based on patient groups, the global respiratory disposables market is bifurcated into neonatal and pediatric, adult, and geriatric. The geriatric segment owns the highest market share and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.4% during the forecast period.
    Based on end-user, the global respiratory disposables market is bifurcated into hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics, trauma centers, and home care. The hospitals, nursing homes, and clinics segment is the highest contributor to the market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.1% during the forecast period.
    North America is the most significant shareholder in the global respiratory disposables market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.3% during the forecast period.

    Competitive Players
    The global respiratory disposables market's major key players are 3M, Air Liquide S.A., Allied Healthcare Products Inc., Ambu S/A, B. Braun SE, Chart Industries Inc, Drägerwerk AG & Co. KGaA, Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Corporation Limited, General Electric., Getinge AB, Hamilton Medical, Invacare Corporation, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Medtronic, Masimo Corporation, ResMed, Rotech Healthcare Inc., Smiths Group plc., and SunMed, Teleflex Incorporated.
    Market News

    In October 2022, Hamilton Medical offered comfort to patients with an NIV mask portfolio. For patients, Hamilton Medical and Pulmodyne partnered to offer various interfaces.
    In August 2022, ResMed pledged to invest EUR 30 million in Irish research and development. According to a ResMed study, COPD is the third-deadliest disease in the world and affects over 480 million people.

    Global
    Respiratory Disposables
    Market: Segmentation
    By Product

    Laryngoscope
    Tubes
    Breathing Bag
    Masks
    Resuscitator
    Others

    By Patient Group

    Neonatal and Pediatric
    Adult
    Geriatric

    By End-User

    Hospitals, Nursing Homes, and Clinics
    Trauma Centers
    Homecare

    By Regions

    North America
    Europe
    Asia-Pacific
    LAMEA

    MENAFN22032024004597010339ID1108010658


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    About this release

    This weekly release by Public Health Scotland presents epidemiological information on respiratory infection activity, including COVID-19, across Scotland. Due to the dynamic nature of all datasets included in this report, figures contained within each update may be subject to change in future releases. Any revised figures will then be reflected within the latest update.

    Main points

    Overall assessment 11 March to 17 March (ISO week 11):

    • Respiratory symptoms in the community measured via calls to NHS24 remained at Baseline activity level. Attendances at GP consultations for influenza-like-illness (GP ILI) also remained at Baseline activity level.

    • In the CARI community surveillance system, rhinovirus remained the most frequently detected pathogen at 17.5% swab positivity (up from 15.7% the previous week). Swab positivity increased slightly for influenza B (to 4.7% from 2.8%) and decreased for seasonal coronavirus (at 7.8% from 11.4%) and parainfluenza (at 8.4% from 9.6%). All other pathogens remained stable. Mycoplasma pneumoniae continues to affect younger age groups at higher levels than others.

    • Virology data showed influenza remained at Moderate activity level in week 11, with a small but increasing proportion (4.9%) of all cases detected as Type B. All age groups have remained at Low or Moderate activity level. Mycoplasma pneumoniae decreased from Extraordinary to High activity level. Human metapneumovirus increased from Moderate to High activity level while seasonal coronavirus (non-COVID-19) decreased from Moderate to Low activity level.

    • All-cause excess mortality for week 8 (week ending 25 February 2024, the latest week not impacted by reporting delays) remained at Baseline activity level overall and for all age groups.

    Background

    Tracking infectious respiratory diseases, including COVID-19 and influenza, is essential, especially in the winter when the disease burden can be highest. In Scotland, respiratory infection and associated morbidity are monitored using enhanced surveillance. This approach combines data from microbiological sampling and laboratory test results from community and hospital settings with data from syndromic surveillance of NHS 24 calls, primary care consultations for respiratory symptoms, hospital (including intensive care) admissions and other settings.

    The intelligence generated from surveillance of laboratory, syndromic and community settings provide a comprehensive picture of current respiratory illness in Scotland. The data presented in this report provide a comprehensive and timely epidemiological picture that is essential for understanding transmission of infection and supporting patient care and NHS service planning and policy.

    Seasonality patterns / seasonal variations

    Respiratory illnesses are associated with seasonal increase in the autumn and winter. Seasonality patterns for both influenza viruses and non-influenza respiratory pathogens have been established through many years of surveillance data. Most influenza and non-influenza pathogens circulate in the autumn and winter in Scotland, although some are known to circulate in the spring and summer. Notably, COVID-19 transmission has been occurring in waves throughout the year as observed from surveillance data since the start of the pandemic in 2020.

    Further information

    The next release of this publication will be 18 April 2024. Unless conditions warrant, reporting will become monthly from this week (week 11) through to the start of the winter season (week 40). Selected weekly figures and data from this report are still available through week 20 via the COVID-19 & Respiratory Surveillance in Scotland interactive dashboard. Between weeks’ 20 and 40, reporting via the dashboard will also switch to monthly. Updates to both the report and the dashboard will resume on a weekly basis in week 40.

    Find out more

    Previous Publications

    Versions of the Weekly national respiratory report publication released before 30 November 2022 may be found on the Public Health Scotland website.

    Versions of the COVID-19 weekly statistical report publication released before 30 November 2022 may be found on the Public Health Scotland website.

    Open data

    Open data from this publication is available from the following weblinks:

    Further data

    • The COVID-19 Vaccine Wastage datafile was updated on 14 September 2023 to include the most recent information.
    • The COVID-19 in Adult Care Homes in Scotland datafile was updated on 27 July 2023 to include more recent information.
    • 28 September 2022 COVID-19 statistical report publication contains information on COVID-19 infection and vaccination in pregnancy in Scotland.
    • 2 March 2022 COVID-19 statistical report publication contains information on Highest Risk (shielding patients list)
    • 7 November 2023 Community Acute Respiratory Infection (CARI) surveillance in primary care contains information on flu Vaccine effectiveness in community settings.
    • 25 May 2023 Interim 2022/23 influenza vaccine effectiveness: six European studies, October 2022 to January 2023, contains information on flu Vaccine effectiveness in hospital settings.
    • 13 January 2024 Estimated number of lives directly saved by COVID-19 vaccination programs in the WHO European Region, December 2020 to March 2023, contains information on lives saved due to COVID-19 vaccination

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    We certainly have no shortage of flu-like illnesses, and, for most people, unless you become very ill, you rarely seek medical attention, and you rarely think that it makes a difference whether it is a “bad cold”, the common cold – caused by one of a variety of viruses but often a rhinovirus or one of the more aggressive respiratory viruses like the coronavirus, the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or even the influenza virus. In this part of the world, flu is rarely listed as a cause of hospitalisation or even death.

    These viruses are all highly contagious, and a majority of persons who come in contact with them seem to develop symptoms. The results are seen when homes, schools and workplaces are disrupted by affected individuals. Except in special instances, we cannot identify the specific viruses, and antiviral medication is rarely available, so treating the symptoms is the order of the day.

    Common symptoms include a runny nose, sneezing and congestion, but individuals may also have muscle pains, a cough that produces phlegm, sneezing, watery or itchy eyes, or even a headache, a post-nasal drip, and generalised malaise. Depending on the particular set of symptoms and an individual’s past medical experiences, these may even be diagnosed as sinusitis, allergies, or blamed on the Sahara dust that adds to the normal dust that settles down around our homes or workplaces.

    The challenge posed by viral illnesses, whether aggressive or not, is that they can (and do) cause varying damage by causing inflammation within individuals. In persons with healthy immune systems, when challenged by these viruses, a mild 24-72 hour illness results, and folklore remedies include a variety of rub-downs, a variety of teas or hot chicken soup, or, at least for men of a certain age, a good “stiff-one” will help.

    If you have a simple head cold or 24-hour bug, there is not too much to be concerned about. But COVID-19, RSV and influenza, which our Ministry of Health and Wellness tells us are circulating here, are more serious maladies that require a careful approach. That’s because these viral infections tend to cause whole-body inflammation, and hence are more likely to cause long-lasting symptoms: “Doc, I have had the cold for over a month now, [like an old boyfriend] it refuses to leave me.”

    This inflammation can irritate your heart and lungs, which ultimately can affect your breathing and the way your heart beats. It takes some time for your body to completely recover from these viral infections, sometimes weeks or months. It can take even longer than average to recover if you’re an older adult or have underlying health concerns, such as diabetes or high blood pressure.

    You Might Be Interested In

    Vaccination, when available (e.g. the flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine are available locally, even though the RSV vaccine is not currently available), is an important preventative tool in helping fight off these viral illnesses, and preventing serious illness, long term complications, and even death. Being well-hydrated, especially in our super-hot climate, and consuming nutritious foods are also crucial, both while you’re ill and when you’re returning to activity. That’s because your body needs energy to fight off the infection while you’re sick and later to fuel your recovery.

    Other important measures include close attention to hygiene: remember social distancing? Frequent hand washing should become a ritual. If someone has a cough they must stay away from everyone else, and it’s not a bad idea for everyone around to resume wearing masks.

    No matter which virus you had, wait at least five to seven days after recovering before resuming normal activities, or even strenuous exercise. You also should be able to do all of your normal daily activities without excessive fatigue. Your body, heart and lungs need time to recover. Trying to do too much too quickly runs the risk of prolonging your full recovery, or even triggering a relapse. Remember, viruses can kill, especially if you have an underlying illness.

    If you have a serious COVID-19 infection accompanied by heart or lung-related symptoms such as chest pain or difficulty breathing, then it is recommended that you see your physician before resuming exercise. If you develop myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart muscle, then the American College of Cardiology (ACC) guidelines suggest you abstain from strenuous exercising for three to six months.

    As you’re slowly working back to your normal fitness routine, pay attention to how you’re feeling. If you feel like your heart is racing or beating irregularly, or if you have any chest pain, stop immediately and see your physician. The biggest things to be concerned about are heart attacks and developing irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias).

    Should you become frustrated about how long it’s taking to get back to normal health, remember this: those who are normally physically active are less likely to become very ill, and if they do catch an infection, it’s typically less severe than for someone who is a couch potato. At the end of the day, the healthier we are, the better outcomes we have if we do get sick.

    Dr Colin V Alert is a family physician and former researcher with the Chronic Disease Research Centre.

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    My last rheumatology appointment was at the end of January. There I sat with my N95 mask on, and my rheumatologist had nothing on his face — not even a surgical mask. I observed multiple patients in the waiting area wearing N95 masks, yet none of the staff were wearing any type of mask on their faces.

    In the last couple of months, I had to take a Lyft to my local pharmacy to get my medication. My pharmacy is one of the busiest I have ever had — prior to COVID, it was a 24-hour operation. In that amount of time, I have seen one person wearing a mask, and I am confident it was for personal safety, not out of consideration or care for the patients they serve.

    For the past eight months, after my hip injections went sideways and I pulled muscles in my right leg, I’ve had to rely on a cane. It feels like I have a bullseye on me whenever I go; I am hard to miss and yet no one misses me. I have been questioned by nurses, given the side-eye by doctors, looked up and down by strangers, stared at when out in public.

    I do not have a choice. Here are the reasons that I cannot just decide to stop wearing a mask:

    • I had COVID-19 in September 2023 and almost landed in the hospital.
    • COVID-19 exacerbated my rare neurological disease; I am still sorting out the extra nerve damage/symptoms.
    • COVID-19 caused my asthma to be worse.
    • I get bi-weekly IVIG infusions that lower my immune system further.
    • The combination of my IVIG infusions, biologic, DMARDs, pain meds, and steroids have wiped out my immune system so that it is basically equivalent to a cancer patient.

    But I am okay with wearing a mask. I know what I need to do to look out for myself. For the past 12 years, I have had to make difficult choices for myself that no one around me has had to make. I have had to sacrifice jobs, the ability to socialize, and exercise. I have had to modify the relationships I have and even walk away from the ones I cannot handle. My chronic illnesses have required a complete lifestyle change from top to bottom. I accepted that a long time ago.

    What I struggle with is the denial from those around me. As I scroll on social media and look around me, I feel like I am living in an alternate universe.

    This began during lockdown in 2020, when I saw people refuse to see or accept what was around them, despite the devastating impact of COVID on entire families, cities, or communities. Logic did not win out. Care and kindness did not rule. My loved ones in other cities began to wear down inside and out. Even folks who took precautions became sick again and again because those around them ignored safety measures, mocking and defying the rules, and calling us ridiculous.

    I understand the cruelty of humanity. The darkness of people. I know the conditional love and conditional kindness of people. I have felt it again and again. I grew up in a household with abuse, selfishness, and a very narcissistic anorexic mentally unstable mother. My parents divorced when I was very young, and my father bounced from job to job, so he did not have to pay child support. Any interaction with him had to do with fulfilling his selfish needs. He was (and is) an unbelievable, manipulative narcissistic drug addict who did not know the color of my eyes until I was 12 years old.

    I am also autistic, which I only learned a couple of years ago, and I’ve struggled deeply with social interactions and faced a lot of rejection, not understanding what I did wrong or why I would suddenly not have friends. The few friends I did have were always trying to “fix” me or get something out of me. Anxiety, depression, and loneliness have been constant companions. Feeling suicidal came onboard around the age of 12.

    Still, I was not prepared for how ugly, cruel, and selfish some people became surrounding wearing a mask. There are entire countries who wore masks on a regular basis before COVID-19 for safer breathing. Yet many nurses and health care providers fail to see masks as part of their uniform, and the public does not view masks as a piece of their clothing.

    Masking for Me

    Masking is absolutely a matter of life or death for me. Back in September when I had COVID, the only reason I did not end up in the hospital and on ECMO (extracorporeal membrane oxygenation) — on my deathbed — was because I was able to get Paxlovid. But it is not just COVID-19 that is a risk for me. A cold, sinus infection, the flu, monkey pox, HRV, chicken pox, and even strep throat are huge threats.

    Most of us on biologics have had chicken pox as children. But that does not matter. Taking a biologic, based on any of the inserts I have read for every single medicine I have been on for 12 years, lowers my immune system enough that chicken pox is a huge risk. Some literature says I can even catch it through contact with contaminated items, such as diapers or clothing.

    So, yes, others look at me like I have a bullseye on me when I go out in public with a mask. But I am not ashamed, and I will not be afraid to take care of myself. No one makes me feel bad or makes me change my mind. Instead, I walk around with a mask like it is a necessity. It is a piece of clothing. It is a part of me. I have to wear it because I do. Period.

    Even though I wear a mask, it only protects me so much. I still cannot be in crowded places. I am still reliant on other people.

    At this point, I have just accepted that I will be one of the few people wearing a mask. I do notice who wears a mask and who does not. I see who is willing to make a sacrifice and who looks out for their fellow person. I scan the people around me to see which people are willing to take me into consideration before they walk out that door.

    And most of the time, I can get through it. But sometimes, just sometimes, depression hits. The sadness and overwhelming anxiety smother me. And the loneliness begins to darken the room. I feel so damn alone, more so than I have ever been. And I see no end in sight.

    Put on a damn mask — please.

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    In a recent study published in BMJ Public Health, researchers investigated whether generalized joint hypermobility (GJH), which indicates varying connective tissue, was associated with self-reported severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection recovery failure.

    Study:  Is joint hypermobility linked to self-reported non-recovery from COVID-19? Case-control evidence from the British COVID Symptom Study Biobank. Image Credit: BigBlueStudio / Shutterstock.com

    Background

    Long coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents a severe therapeutic issue and public health burden, with symptoms ranging from fatigue and trouble focusing to muscular pains and shortness of breath. To date, over 200 symptoms have been associated with delayed recovery after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. The potentially deleterious effects associated with long COVID-19, combined with the prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection history among the general population, emphasize the importance of identifying factors predisposing an individual to long COVID.

    Demographic variables such as age and female sex, as well as pre-existing activity-limiting health disorders or impairments like fibromyalgia, irritable bowel syndrome, migraines, allergies, anxiety, depression, and back pain, increase the likelihood of prolonged COVID-19.

    Recent research has identified that joint hypermobility contributes to incomplete recovery after SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, further research is needed to elucidate the etiology of long COVID and identify cost-effective and timely therapeutics for patients.

    About the study

    In the present prospective-type observational study, researchers investigate whether widespread joint hypermobility is related to an increased risk of not fully recovering from SARS-CoV-2 infection.

    To this end, the researchers examined the United Kingdom COVID-19 Symptom Study Biobank (CSSB) data, linked with demographic information, COVID-19 reports, and symptom ratings from ZOE Global's COVID-19 Symptom Study digital application. Researchers from Massachusetts Hospital, Uppsala and Lund Universities, and King's College London created the mobile application.

    During August 2022, 81% of respondents experienced a minimum of one COVID-19-related illness and self-reported their recovery status. All study participants completed a five-component Hakim and Grahame questionnaire (5PQ) to determine widespread joint hypermobility.

    The primary research outcome was a lack of self-documented recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection. Secondary outcomes included 5PQ scores and self-documented fatigue levels.

    Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine whether widespread joint hypermobility predicted non-recovery after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Age, gender, ethnicity, socioeconomic situation, educational attainment, and received COVID-19 vaccinations were considered as potential variables in the sequential models.

    Linear regression was used to investigate the relationship between generalized joint hypermobility and fatigue. Furthermore, mediation studies using Hayes' technique allowed the researchers to explore potential mediation of the association between widespread joint hypermobility and COVID-19 non-recovery by fatigue levels.

    Study findings

    Among 3,064 individuals who reported a minimum of one SARS-CoV-2-related infection, data on self-documented COVID-19 recovery were accessible for 2,854 participants, 82% of whom were female and 97% identified as white, with an average age of 58 years.

    Among 32% of the study cohort who reported incomplete recovery from acute COVID-19, 269 individuals exhibited widespread joint hypermobility, 29% of whom were female. Among recovered individuals, 439 of 1,940 patients experienced widespread joint hypermobility.

    Generalized joint hypermobility was not significantly associated with the reported SARS-CoV-2 infection risk. Nevertheless, joint hypermobility was strongly associated with incomplete recovery from acute COVID-19, with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.4. This association persisted in sequential modeling studies controlling for age, gender, ethnicity, educational attainment, multiple deprivation index, and COVID-19 vaccination doses received with an OR of 1.3.

    Hypermobility also strongly predicted greater fatigue levels in models that controlled for all factors. Fatigue levels influenced the relationship between widespread joint hypermobility and COVID-19 non-recovery.

    Conclusions

    The study findings indicate that individuals with widespread joint hypermobility are 30% more likely to not recover from acute COVID-19. These observations provide critical information needed to identify long COVID phenotypes for screening, appropriate patient classification, and personalized treatment implementation.

    Taken together, the current study emphasizes the importance of stratified individualized healthcare for individuals, which influences policy and interdisciplinary services for individuals with long-term COVID and related illnesses. These findings also have implications for clinical practice, future research, and population healthcare, including precision techniques.

    There remains an urgent need to investigate predisposing variables and comorbidities associated with joint hypermobility. Future research is also needed to explore the role of pre-existing illnesses as possible risk factors, particularly those linked with numerous physical symptoms, including larger sample sizes, more diverse populations, and a stringent long COVID definition to improve the generalizability and validity of the study findings.

    Journal reference:

    • Eccles, J. A., Cadar, D., Quadt, L., et al. (2024). Is joint hypermobility linked to self-reported non-recovery from COVID-19? Case-control evidence from the British COVID Symptom Study Biobank. BMJ Public Health 2. doi:10.1136/bmjph-2023-000478

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    image of nervesThe vagus nerve , a nerve that helps control breathing, heart rate, digestion, and immune responses, is distributed in the brain, heart, lungs, internal organs, and esophagus. In recent years, it has been suggested that stimulating the vagus nerve may be able to treat depression, obesity, and alcoholism.

    The key to depression, obesity, alcoholism – and more? Why the vagus nerve is so exciting to scientists | Health | The Guardian
    www.theguardian.com/society/2023/aug/23/the-key-to-depression-obesity-alcoholism-and-more-why-the-vagus-nerve-is-so-exciting-to- scientists

    In the late 19th century, it was discovered that compressing the main artery in the neck, where the vagus nerve runs, could be useful in preventing and treating epilepsy. Later, in the 1980s, research progressed to implanting electrical stimulation devices in the necks of epilepsy patients to calm the irregular electrical activity in the brain that causes seizures.As of 2024, electrical stimulation devices that stimulate the vagus nerve have been developed. Research is underway to treat it as an alternative to antidepressants in patients with treatment-resistant depression.

    Furthermore, in the late 1990s, a research team led by Kevin Tracy, a professor of neurosurgery at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research in the United States, found that stimulating the vagus nerve in rats reduced not only brain inflammation but also systemic inflammation. I reported it. Conventional wisdom believed that there was no relationship between the nervous system and the immune system, which causes inflammation, but research by Dr. Tracy and colleagues has shown that the vagus nerve plays a role as a bridge between the nervous system and the immune system. It turned out that he was responsible.

    Subsequent research revealed that the brain communicates with the spleen, an organ that plays an important role in the immune system, by sending electrical signals to the vagus nerve. According to Tracy and colleagues, the vagus nerve is involved in the release of a neurotransmitter called

    acetylcholine , which tells the surrounding nervous system to turn off switches that cause inflammation. A similar effect was obtained by electrically stimulating the vagus nerve with a device implanted inside the body.

    A research team led by Matthijs Cox of Radboud University Medical Center in the Netherlands asked 12 volunteers to do various activities such as swimming in ice water, rolling in snow, meditating, and practicing special breathing techniques. I instructed him to do training to stimulate his vagus nerve. The research team then injected volunteers with components of bacteria that cause inflammation and flu-like symptoms, and tested how the stimulated vagus nerve suppresses the immune response. As a result, compared to volunteers who did not undergo training, the volunteers who stimulated the vagus nerve had lower levels of inflammation and fewer episodes of flu-like symptoms. The research team led by Cox points out that the reason for the decrease in the level of inflammation is that ``inflammation may have been suppressed by the release of adrenaline .''

    Furthermore, Benjamin Metcalfe of the University of Bath said, ``While it is very easy to implant a device that stimulates the vagus nerve, the vagus nerve is connected to a variety of organs, and stimulating it can cause symptoms ranging from rheumatoid arthritis to depression, alcohol abuse, and other conditions.'' 'It may be possible to treat a wide range of illnesses and disorders, up to and including addiction.' In fact, in 2016, Tracy's research team

    reported that 18 patients with rheumatoid arthritis showed improvement in their symptoms after installing a device that stimulates the vagus nerve.

    In addition, researchers including Chris Tumaszou of Imperial College London are attaching small stimulators to the tip of certain vagus nerves to see if they can tell the brain whether the stomach is full or empty. I am. The research team is working on developing a device that can send electrical signals to the brain in response to the secretion of hunger hormones, which are released during fasting. At the same time, it can send the opposite signal to the brain that ``I'm already full.'' Rather than completely blocking the secretion of hunger hormones, controlling it may be an excellent way to control obesity. Yes,” he said.

    However, Metcalf pointed out, ``The vagus nerve is connected to so many organs that it may be difficult at this stage to stimulate a specific part of the nerve.'' Still, the development of devices that can be attached to the auricle to stimulate the vagus nerve is progressing, and research is underway to prevent postural tachycardia syndrome , as well as to investigate ' long COVID, ' where symptoms of the new coronavirus infection persist for several weeks or more. Investigations are underway to address the issue.

    The foreign media outlet The Guardian said, ``Research on vagus nerve stimulation is in its early stages, but if researchers can find an effective way to utilize the vagus nerve, installing a vagus nerve stimulator could bring significant benefits.'' There is a possibility.''



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    PESHAWAR: Health experts have recommended adherence to standard operating procedures (SOPs) for Covid-19 after detection of nine positive cases of three different variants of coronavirus in the past seven days in the provincial capital.

    “The cases have been diagnosed in Public Health Reference Laboratory at Khyber Medical University in the past seven days. The department has already asked quarters concerned to collect samples from suspected patients for testing,” health department officials told this scribe.

    They said that the newly-diagnosed cases included five JN.1, three BA.2 and one XBB.1.6. They said that ages of infected persons ranged from 22 to 72 years. The infected people included six female and three male, all residents of Peshawar, they added.

    ![ .]https://www.dawn.com/news/1813185)

    “The department is going to start contact-tracing of the positive cases as it has happened for first time that three different strains of coronavirus have been reported simultaneously in the province,” said officials.

    Health workers asked to collect samples from suspected patients for testing

    Health experts said that situation could become worse if the department failed to start efforts to scale up awareness and test the close relatives of the diagnosed patients immediately.

    They said that more testing was essential to ascertain the actual quantum of cases. They said that people should start observance of Covid-19 SOPs including frequent hand-washing with soap, particularly after visiting public places, and using facemasks.

    They said that people with history of lungs, heart and respiratory ailments and diabetes should visit hospitals in case of having symptoms of Covid-19. Co-morbid people were most vulnerable to getting infected than normal people, they added.

    Experts said that people should keep distance and avoid large gatherings and visiting events to stay safe from the infection. “People should stay home when they are sick. In case of Covid-19 symptoms like fever, cough and difficulty in breathing, they shouldn’t venture out in public but seek medical advice including testing,” they said.

    They said that healthcare workers should be directed by the department to observe SOPs. They should be screened to put brakes on spread of the virus. Health staff at the medical teaching institutions in Peshawar should be given priority in Covid-19 testing.

    Health department officials said that the recent surge in Covid-19 cases in various hospitals of Peshawar was a matter of immediate concern. “The rise in cases is an alarming trend that requires our collective attention and immediate action. Reinforce and strictly adhere to safety protocols, including use of personal protective equipment (PPE), in hospitals. Ensure rigorous infection control practices and maintain a high standard of hygiene in healthcare facilities,” they said.

    They said that health department was required to stay updated on the latest information from reliable sources such as World Health Organisation (WHO), Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local health authorities.

    Health officials said that people at community level should be kept informed regarding current situation. They said that Covid-19 test could be conducted in Public Health Reference Laboratory (PHRL) at Khyber Medical University free of cost.

    “Healthcare workers should take samples from suspected people and sent the same to our laboratory through the office of district health officer. Early detection of cases is important to isolate them and prevent spread of infection,” they said.

    Published in Dawn, March 20th, 2024

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    It’s been four years since a near-perfect storm hit the U.S. West. COVID-19 was officially declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020, just months before the worst wildfire season in recorded history.

    The interactions between wildfire and COVID-19 were large and sweeping, research in the years since has shown. The 2020 season left lasting impacts on the wildland firefighting force, both systemically and personally.

    Wildland firefighters are at high risk for both COVID-19 infection and, when infected, experiencing severe illness from the virus, research published in the National Library of Medicine and Science academic journals found. Researchers in one study examined potential health and workforce capacity impacts by modeling the movement of suppression resources across the country over a season and the corresponding potential for disease spread and cascading outbreaks across wildfire incidents.

    inbound and outbound firefighters on a Montana fireinbound and outbound firefighters on a Montana fire

    The increased risk stems primarily from firefighters’ exposure to wildfire smoke, limited access to hygiene supplies, and constantly being physically near other wildland firefighters and the public.

    IHC superintendents were surveyed by USFS researchers a year after the fires burned. At the beginning of the pandemic, the agency launched a wide range of new practices for hotshot crews to limit the spread of COVID-19 while also, it was hoped, improving operational efficiency. New practices included changes in pre-fire preparation, using virtual paperwork and briefings, and reformatting traditional fire camps to a more widespread layout. The USFS also created a COVID-19 Incident Risk Assessment Tool for fire managers; it measured numerous factors including camp size, mitigation techniques, and number of positive cases to estimate how at-risk each crew was.

    The researchers wanted to know if superintendents were interested in maintaining any of those practices in daily hotshot crew use in the years after 2020, regardless of COVID-19. The survey found that the majority of practices contributed positively to operational efficiency in addition to crewmember safety and well-being. Most respondents preferred the ease of virtual vs. in-person paperwork and briefings, they liked having crews spike on or near the line with the full-scale ICP camp away from the fire, and they felt better physically and mentally as a result of these changes.

    Wildland firefighter well-being — and proper pay — are still a major focus for the USFS post-2020 as retention becomes an increasingly worrying issue. Research conducted this year on retention found that highly skilled wildland firefighters with a high number of assigned days, payment of additional annual earnings, and gained experience throughout the firefighter’s career all had positive effects on retention. Local wages of alternative occupations in a firefighter’s local area had no significant effect on retention.

    The future of wildland firefighter physical health may also see improvements thanks to technological developments stemming from COVID-19. Respiratory illnesses like coronavirus, and other long-term health risks firefighters face such as lung cancer and cardiovascular disease, may be seen in firefighters less and less as mobile respirators proceed further in development.

    California fitted wildland firefighters with a mobile respirator prototype last October while they dug firelines or cut down trees with chainsaws. The results were mixed.

    “Plenty broke. Hoses popped out of sockets. Straps snapped. Masks slid down sweating faces. Filters became dislodged,” Julie Johnson wrote for the San Francisco Chronicle.

    During this event, firefighters from Cal Fire, L.A. County and the USFS took turns trying out several types of mask. They hiked down a slope and then back up, then pulled off their masks, sweating and breathing hard in triple-digit temps. Each round took only about ten minutes.

    Firefighters shared their impressions with observers: Felt like a muzzle. Was too bulky. Too tight. It slipped off my face once I began to sweat.

    Hearing one of her colleagues say “it’s better than nothing,” Cal Fire’s Sol Espinoza spoke up. “I’d rather take nothing,” she said.

    The test is one of many completed or planned throughout the country as the fire agencies look to lower firefighter mortality from diseases increasingly found to be worsened through wildfire smoke inhalation. Experts have hedged their bets on technology frequently used to keep COVID-19 patients hospitalized with severe cases alive. Adaptations in the technology are still under development as researchers figure out which version might be best suited to meet the dynamic needs of firefighters in the field.

    Espinoza, a firefighter with Cal Fire in San Bernardino. Espinoza said she could never imagine wearing a constrictive device that makes it harder to breathe.

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    Mercedes and McLaren are among a host of British Formula One teams helping a project to make breathing aids for coronavirus patients in the UK.

    Haas F1, Red Bull Racing, Renault Sport Racing, Williams and Racing Point are also involved in the project to create thousands of the device, known as a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), to help keep those diagnosed with COVID-19 out of intensive care.

    The teams are part of a wider consortium of UK-based industrial, technology and engineering businesses that have joined forces to produce medical ventilators, with the government placing an order for more than 10,000.

    Production is due to begin in earnest as the group, named the VentilatorChallengeUK Consortium, has spent the past week evaluating how best to design, manufacture, assemble and test all the needed components.

    The group says it has agreed a new design, assembled from materials and parts already in production, and that it anticipates swift approval as regulators have been involved in the planning stages.

    More follows...

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    By Andre Paultre

    PORT-AU-PRINCE, March 27 (Reuters) - The director of one of Haiti's top hospitals was kidnapped on Friday, prompting staff to refuse to take in new patients in protest as the impoverished country battles an outbreak of the novel coronavirus amid a spike in gang violence.

    Dr. Jerry Bitar, a surgeon, was kidnapped shortly after leaving for work at Hospital Bernard Mevs from his home in an upmarket neighborhood of the capital, hospital administrative assistant Carla Puzo told Reuters.

    Kidnappings for ransom have sharply increased this year amid a political and economic crisis in Haiti, which according to the World Bank is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere. Police confirmed 15 kidnapping cases in January alone. Gangs appear to strike indiscriminately, with victims ranging from Haitian schoolchidren, lawmakers and businessmen to foreign aid workers.

    "Hospital staff decided not to take any new cases for the time being," Puzo said. "We will continue to look after those already here."

    A crowd gathered outside the facility in solidarity with Bitar, who runs the hospital together with his twin brother, while staff chanted in unison calls for his release. Haitian media outlets also pleaded for bandits to free Bitar.

    The relevant authorities are following the case, a Health Ministry spokesman said.

    The Bernard Mevs hospital is a trauma and critical care center and is not treating coronavirus cases currently, but could need to if the disease spreads substantially in the country, where healthcare services and sanitation infrastructure are inadequate.

    According to a 2019 study by the Research and Education consortium for Acute Care in Haiti (REACH), Haiti has only 64 ventilators for a population of around 11 million, which makes it especially vulnerable to an outbreak of the highly contagious coronavirus, which causes the respiratory illness COVID-19.

    "This is a serious concern, especially given the relatively high proportion of the population considered to be at an elevated risk," the Center for Economic and Policy Research wrote in a paper published on Friday, co-authored by its analysts Jake Johnston and Kira Paulemon.

    Haitian authorities have so far confirmed eight cases of the coronavirus. President Jovenel Moise last week declared a state of emergency, ordering schools, factories, and places of worship shut to prevent the spread of the virus, closing the country’s borders to people and imposing a curfew.

    But the streets continue to buzz as many in the country, where more than half the population lives under the poverty line, ignore recommendations to stay at home or practice social distancing. Many do not have access to sources of news.

    Even with the best intentions, tricky access to clean water makes it difficult for Haitians to frequently wash their hands, the hygiene mantra that health experts are preaching as a top defense against the spread of the coronavirus. (Reporting by Andre Paultre in Port-au-Prince Writing by Sarah Marsh Editing by Leslie Adler)

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