Coronavirus Tidbits #273, November 26, 2023

hospitalizations rose 8.6% compared to the previous week. More than 16,000 people were admitted to the hospital for COVID last week.

COVID-related deaths rose 9.1% over the same period, with COVID responsible for 2.4% of all deaths.

ED visits for COVID rose 7.1%

test positivity is at 8.4%, reflecting a 0.1 percentage-point rise,

Vaccine uptake: at 31.7%, followed by 14.8% in other adult age-groups, and 5.4% for children.

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/covid-data-show-small-rise-ahead-holidays

COVID-19 vaccination before infection strongly linked to reduced risk of developing long COVID

Receiving at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine before the first infection is strongly associated with a reduced risk of developing post-COVID-19 condition, commonly known as long COVID, finds a study published by The BMJ today (Nov. 22).

The first dose reduced the risk of post-COVID-19 condition by 21%, two doses by 59%, and three or more doses by 73%.

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Kids largely left out of US trials of COVID-19 treatments

Less than 10% of US interventional COVID-19 trials in the first 3 years of the pandemic included children, and only 1.6% enrolled them exclusively, despite this age-group accounting for 18% of infections, Harvard and Boston Children's Hospital researchers report today in JAMA Health Forum.

The team identified all COVID-19 trials registered on ClinicalTrials.gov from January 2020 to December 2022. They noted that children have been underrepresented in clinical research owing to ethical, logistical, and financial reasons.

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/kids-largely-left-out-us-trials-covid-19-treatments

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HHS launches another round of free COVID tests

Heading into the winter holiday season, the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today offered another round of free COVID-19 rapid tests delivered through the mail.

People can begin ordering four free tests today. The fresh round of tests is the government's sixth and follows a similar offer in September. People who didn't order tests earlier this fall are eligible to place two orders for a total of eight free tests.

HHS also urged people to check its list of extended COVID test expiration dates before throwing away tests that appear to be expired. The agency also said it would continue to make COVID tests available to uninsured people and underserved communities through existing outreach programs.

In September when it opened up the last round of free tests, HHS announced $600 million in funding to support 12 domestic test manufacturers, with a goal of producing 200 million tests for the US government to use as a way to strengthen preparedness die fall and winter.

Other:

Undiagnosed pneumonia outbreak in China puts pressure on pediatric hospitals, prompts questions

An undetermined pneumonia outbreak in China is hitting children hard, with media reports describing overwhelmed children's hospitals in multiple locations, according a post on ProMED Mail, the online reporting system of the International Society for Infectious Diseases. So far, there is no indication that the infections are deadly. But reports of a spike in pneumonia cases in China are eerily similar to early reports of a mystery pneumonia outbreak in late 2019 in Wuhan, which heralded the emergence of COVID-19.

Children's main symptoms are high fever, with some kids developing pulmonary nodules.

The media reports reference swamped pediatric hospitals in multiple locations, including Beijing and Liaoning, which is nearly 500 miles away. Reports also say the pneumonia outbreaks have led to school cancellations and some illnesses in teachers.

Some observers speculate the outbreak could be caused by Mycoplasma pneumoniae, commonly known as "walking pneumonia." FluTrackers, an infectious disease news message board, has been tracking reports of overwhelmed pediatric hospitals and clinics and Mycoplasma pneumonia since the beginning of summer.

More information needed

US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) background information on Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection notes that the bacterium typically causes mild respiratory infections that can sometimes lead to serious illnesses that can require hospitalization. In children, the infection resembles a chest cold. The illness can spread in crowded settings, including schools and college residence halls.

On Twitter (X) today, Krutika Kuppalli, MD, an infectious disease physician who is with the WHO's Health Emergencies Program, said it's possible that China could be seeing a surge in respiratory infections as other countries did their first winter after lockdowns lifted.

The point is we need information.

She added that China has already reported a Mycoplasma pneumonia surge, but the current outbreaks could be anything. She also said respiratory syncytial virus, COVID-19, and flu could be contributing factors. "The point is we need information."

https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/undiagnosed-pneumonia-outbreak-china-puts-pressure-pediatric-hospitals-prompts-questions

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Vaccine to prevent a dangerous tropical disease--Chikungunya-- receives approval

The chikungunya virus is widespread in tropical regions, where it is spread to humans by mosquitoes of the genus Aedes. Chikungunya is characterized by high fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, rash, and sometimes diarrhea. This viral disease has become a global health threat.

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-11-vaccine-dangerous-tropical-disease.html

https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-11-covid-vaccination-infection-strongly-linked.html?

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Opinion | How to Not Kill Grandma This Thanksgiving and Holiday Season

https://www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/faustfiles/107470 #RSV #COVID19 #flu

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What to Know About Ongoing Eye Drop Recalls

https://link.broadcaster3.medpagetoday.com/click/33459888.69537/

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STD leaders call for US to declare emergency over congenital syphilis

STD leaders this week called on the Biden administration to declare a public health emergency over congenital syphilis and dedicate $1 billion to addressing sexually transmitted infections in the United States.

The National Coalition of STD Directors (NCSD) made the appeal a week after the CDC released new data showing that cases of congenital syphilis increased more than 10-fold between 2012 and 2022.

https://www.healio.com/news/infectious-disease/20231117/qa-std-leaders-call-for-us-to-declare-emergency-over-congenital-syphilis

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Infant and maternal health in the U.S. at 'crisis level'

Preterm births and infant mortality are at alarming levels in the U.S., according to a new March of Dimes report published yesterday. In 2022, 10.4% of all babies were born premature (defined as before  37 weeks of gestation),  higher than the global average of 9.9%. The U.S. has the highest risk of preterm birth among its wealthy peers: In the U.K. the rate is 7.6%; in Italy, it’s 6.8%; in Japan, it was around 5%.

“This year’s report shows the state of infant and maternal health in the United States remains at crisis-level, with grave disparities that continue to widen the health equity gap,” said March of Dimes President and CEO Elizabeth Cherot, in a statement. There are significant racial and ethnic disparities: 14.6% of Black babies were born preterm, compared to 9.4% of white babies and 9% of Asian babies. STAT’s Annalisa Merelli has more.