“This research highlights the need for continued vigilance and underscores the importance of ongoing preventive measures against COVID-19.”
Comments closedMonth: August 2023
Topic: long COVIDView all posts for the topic: long COVID
Long Covid symptoms create a greater burden of disability than heart disease or cancer, new study shows
People who survived Covid-19 early in the pandemic, before there were vaccines, continued to be at higher risk for a slew of health problems for up to two years after they got over their initial infections, compared to others who didn’t test positive, a new study finds, and that was especially true if they were hospitalized.
These health problems include heart problems, blood clots, diabetes, neurologic complications, fatigue and difficulties with mental health and have come to be known collectively as long Covid.
Comments closedTopic: researchView all posts for the topic: research
Some seniors infected with Omicron variants were more susceptible to reinfection, not less: McMaster study
In a sign that scientists still don’t fully understand how some COVID-19 variants manage to evade the immune system, a new Ontario study has found that retirement- and long-term-care home residents infected during the first Omicron wave were 20 times more likely to get reinfected by the virus than those who avoided a prior infection.
The surprising finding by researchers at McMaster University runs counter to the prevailing wisdom that a previous COVID infection affords protection against future infections, at least in the older adults who participated in the study.
Comments closedTopic: long COVIDView all posts for the topic: long COVID
Many long-covid symptoms linger even after two years, new study shows
People who endured even mild cases of covid-19 are at heightened risk two years later for lung problems, fatigue, diabetes and certain other health problems typical of long covid, according to a new study that casts fresh light on the virus’s true toll.
The analysis, published Monday in the journal Nature Medicine, is believed to be the first to document the extent to which an array of aftereffects that patients can develop — as part of the diffuse and sometimes debilitating syndrome known as long covid — linger beyond the initial months or year after they survived a coronavirus infection.
Comments closedTopic: researchView all posts for the topic: research
COVID-19 boosts risks of health problems 2 years later, giant study of veterans says
“In the 3 months postinfection, people who’d had COVID-19 had higher rates of death and many health conditions including heart failure, diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, and depression.”
Continue readingCOVID-19 boosts risks of health problems 2 years later, giant study of veterans says
Comments closed Topic: universal maskingView all posts for the topic: universal masking
Everyone Has The Right to Mask
Dozens of studies have shown that not only do N95 masks work on an individual level, but they lower transmission when people actually follow guidelines. Even the strongest critics of mask policies are forced to admit that masks themselves are effective.
Comments closedTopic: researchView all posts for the topic: research
COVID-19 tied to dangerous blood clots in cancer patients
The risk of developing venous thromboembolisms—potentially serious blood clots in the veins—is elevated among cancer patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and taking anticancer drugs, according to a study yesterday in JAMA Oncology.
Comments closedTopic: immune systemView all posts for the topic: immune system
How COVID-19 Changes the Immune System
In a paper published on August 18 in the journal Cell, scientists report that innate immune cells—a critical part of the immune system activated to battle COVID-19—remain altered for at least a year after infection. The finding suggests that these cells may play a role in some of the lingering symptoms associated with Long COVID, although more studies are needed to confirm that connection.
Comments closedTopic: PirolaView all posts for the topic: Pirola
US CDC tracks new lineage of virus that causes COVID
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Thursday that it was tracking a new, highly mutated lineage of the virus that causes COVID-19.
Comments closedTopic: hospital-acquired infectionsView all posts for the topic: hospital-acquired infections
‘Worst nightmare’: Family calls for stricter mask policies after vulnerable Ottawa woman contracts COVID in hospital
The family of an Ottawa woman already suffering from pneumonia and lung cancer is calling for stricter masking policies after she became infected with COVID while a patient at The Ottawa Hospital.
Comments closedTopic: vaccinesView all posts for the topic: vaccines
Which arm gets the Covid-19 booster may make a difference, study shows
When you go to get your newly updated Covid-19 booster this fall, you might want to choose the arm the vaccine goes in carefully.
Comments closedTopic: PirolaView all posts for the topic: Pirola
L’OMS et les États-Unis aux aguets avec un nouveau variant
The World Health Organization and US health authorities announced on Friday that they were closely monitoring a new variant of the COVID-19 virus, although “for the time being, the potential impact of the many mutations in BA.2.86 is unknown.”
Comments closedTopic: pandemic responseView all posts for the topic: pandemic response
Public health reset urgently required
“A hard public health reset is urgently required in Canada to protect the vulnerable and prevent the healthcare system from being overwhelmed by long COVID patients. Policymakers should immediately implement a pandemic action plan to save lives in the coming weeks and months.”
Comments closedTopic: PirolaView all posts for the topic: Pirola
CDC tracking new COVID variant BA.2.86 after highly mutated strain reported in Michigan
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Thursday it is tracking a recently discovered COVID-19 strain, BA.2.86, after a case of the highly mutated variant was discovered in Michigan.
Comments closedTopic: ErisView all posts for the topic: Eris
COVID-19 : une nouvelle vague s’approche avant que la dose de rappel soit disponible
There are warning signs that Canada is already entering its fall wave of COVID-19, but vaccine booster doses will likely not be available for several weeks.
Continue readingCOVID-19 : une nouvelle vague s’approche avant que la dose de rappel soit disponible
Comments closed The summer wave of COVID-19 is being felt in Quebec hospitals, where there are nearly 560 patients who have contracted the virus, an increase of 30% over a week. The Legault government is not overly concerned, but will monitor the situation closely, especially the spread of the Eris variant.
Comments closedTopic: Ottawa-GatineauView all posts for the topic: Ottawa-Gatineau
Two new cases of mpox in Ottawa
Ottawa Public Health is investigating two new cases of mpox in Ottawa, the first cases in the capital in 10 months.
Comments closedTopic: sick leaveView all posts for the topic: sick leave
Federal agency no longer tracks how many public servants take special COVID leave
The government department in charge of managing labour relations with federal public servants is no longer keeping track of how many employees across 75 institutions are taking time off work under a special paid leave provision made widespread during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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