The CDC is monitoring the development of Omicron, Delta and other SAR-CoV2 variants using a model that provides weekly updates of the proportions and distribution of each in the United States.
View the visual representations of the data here.
CDC Early Release Research States Fully Vaccinated Status May Not Affect Rate of Transmission
A recently published article by the CDC and authored by Gharpure et al states that rate of transmission of COVID-19 among fully vaccinated and unvaccinated may not be too different, rather that the viral load reduction is what is driving the differences between the two groups. Unsurprisingly, the fully vaccinated have an advantage over the unvaccinated by having a shorter period of transmissibility, this is further complicated when large mass gathering events occur. During these events, vaccination does not offer much protection against mild infection, as seen in this study where 74% of people infected in a large outbreak in Provincetown, MA that occurred in July 2921, were associated with breakthrough infections of the delta variant. 918 persons who were included in this study because they experienced breakthrough infections included 504 (55%) individuals who received the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, 293 (32%) received the Moderna vaccine, and 121 (13%) received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Based on this study, the authors reinstate the need to remain fully masked regardless of vaccine status.
Read the full details here
California Announces Indoor Mask Mandate
California and New York States have announced indoor mask mandates going into effect this week, however California extends restrictions by requiring unvaccinated individuals attending mass gatherings to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test ahead of the event. Similar to New York, the mandate will be in force until January 15th with the possibility of extension. Dr. Mark Ghaly, the secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency, states that the purpose of this mandate is in response to the 50% increase in COVID infections and to avoid instating more restrictive measures.
Read the news article here.
New York Governor Orders Indoor Mask Mandate
Governor Kathy Hochul orders a statewide indoor mask mandate on businesses that do not check vaccine status. Masks must be worn by individuals that are not fully vaccinated, children between the ages of 5 and 11 can show proof of one dose only. Businesses that are not compliant face fines of $1000 for each violation until January 15th when the mandate will be reassessed. These measures are put in place ahead of the winter season in attempt to prevent additional burden on the hospitals.
Read the governors statement here.
UK Declares Omicron Emergency
Prime Minister Boris Johnson declares a new state of emergency due to Omicron; so far only ten people have been hospitalized from the infection but the UK COVID alert system was raised to level 4. This means that there is a high or increasing level of transmission, requiring escalation of efforts such as deployment of military and re-routing healthcare resources to managing COVID-19 cases. Preventative measures such as working from home and getting the booster are recommended to protect the healthcare sector since 40% of COVID-19 cases are due to Omicron. Although information about the severity of the virus is still unknown, the rapid transmission rate is concerning and could potentially overwhelm hospitals.
Read the full article here.
Recall of 2 Million Pounds of Alexander & Hornung’s Fully Cooked Pork
The USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is recalling 2,320,774 pounds of Alexander & Hornung’s fully cooked ham and pepperoni for possible contamination with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled items will bear the USDA stamp with the EST. M10125 establishment number.
Continue reading “Recall of 2 Million Pounds of Alexander & Hornung’s Fully Cooked Pork”Dr. Dennis Charney Publishes a List of Traits and Behaviors Associated with Resilience
After experiencing his own trauma, Dr. Charney co-wrote a book on resilience and combined his research with lived experience. The Dean of Icahn School of Medicine in Mount Sinai was shot in the chest and abdomen in 2016 and has taken this rare opportunity to test his research on himself, and he found that the tools he developed made a key difference in his resilience. Having traits such as optimism, genetics, morality, passion in life and behaviors like reflection and finding models of resilience are shown to improve resilience in the individual.
Read more here.
CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky Provides Insight on the Future of the Pandemic
An interview with Dr. Rochelle Walensky touches on Omicron, the future of mask use, safety and effectiveness of the current vaccines, and the way out of this pandemic.
Watch the full interview and read the news article here.
Biosphere 2 Taps into Traditional Knowledge to Tackle Climate Change
Biosphere 2, a research facility owned by the University of Arizona, aims to harness the traditional knowledge and practices of Native Americans to develop sustainable farming practices in food deserts, water scarce regions, and harsh climates. From choice of crops to irrigation techniques, the Indigenous Peoples have learned to respect and live with rather than try to adapt and change the environment. The research facility has identified that Indigenous People are on the front lines of climate change and aim to learn more.
Read the news article here.
Global Genomic Surveillance of COVID-19 Variants Leaves Much Room For Improvement
Less than one third of countries have conducted genomic sequencing in response to the emergence of the Omicron variant according to data published by GISAID. Aruba, Bahrain, Botswana, Cambodia, Denmark, Ghana, Israel, Luxembourg, New Zealand, Senegal, Sweden and United Kingdom have reported sequencing 5% of their cases. Another 63 countries have sequenced a small number in the last month, leaving the majority of countries yet to report sequencing in the last 30 days. The United States have sequenced 4% of overall cases since the start of the pandemic, with 2.6% tested in the last month.
Read the full article here.