Delaying coronavirus news, two new cases of monkeypox have been found in London and appear to be unrelated to the first case. Possible new pandemic? Who knows?
The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has labelled BA.4 and BA.5 as variants of concern. Both, along with BA.2.12.1 have minimal cross immunity with BA.1. This means that the Omicron-specific vaccines due out in July may not provide as strong protection as hoped. A reduction in vaccine effectiveness could mean more breakthrough infections even after four doses. There could also be more breakthrough infections in the one or two weeks after an injection when the protection should be the highest. Under Delta, vaccinated adults accounted for 23 percent of deaths; under Omicron, 42 percent. If that's not unsettling enough, the family of Omicron variants is evolving more rapidly than any other variant family has.
North Korea now reports 50 deaths and over 1.2 million cases. Experts note that the death toll is likely understated to protect Kim Jong Un's dignity as leader. Over 564,860 people are reported to be in quarantine. A South Korean analyst calls the case total an "outright lie." While North Korea reported 390,000 more cases and eight deaths in one day, South Korea had 25,000 more cases and 48 deaths. Another analyst estimates that the real number of cases is at least three times larger than reported.
What test kits North Korea has are likely reserved for people in leadership positions. Kim said during a ruling party Politburo meeting that medicine not getting to pharmacies in time is due to pharmacies' "irresponsible work attitude." Meanwhile, South Korea has indicated its willingness to send vaccines, medicines, equipment, and even health personnel to North Korea if it is willing to accept them.
Students at high-profile Peking University are protesting lockdowns calling them poorly communicated and unfair. While students are required to isolate and are unable to order food, teachers and their families are allowed to move freely. There was even an attempt to erect a wall to separate students from faculty and staff members. Needless to say, this too caused a protest.
Scientists are working to pull together a nasal spray vaccine. People may be more receptive to this than they are to an injection. More importantly, whereas an injectible vaccine combats a virus once a person is infected, a nasal vaccine can capture a virus before it can attach to cells, a process called sterilizing immunity. That certainly sounds like a good thing.
US cases are up 60 percent from two weeks ago, and up even higher considering home testing. Hospitalizations are up 23 percent from two weeks ago. Many counties are moving to medium or high risk on the CDC's scale. High risk is where masks are encouraged.
No comments:
Post a Comment