Health Diagnostics
Post categorized under: Health Diagnostics
All too often in the conversation COVID-19 testing, two factors are lost: Pragmatism and Cost. Our Microarray platform can deliver highly effective Pooled Surveillance at a dramatically lower cost than individual testing and we are the proven alternative in Variant Identification—results in a fraction of the time and cost of NGS. The world is coming around to our way of thinking.
- More States Ease Mask Mandates, Citing Lower Infection, Hospitalization Numbers
New York and Massachusetts just announced they will ease mask mandates, joining a long list of states making similar moves in recent days. The governors of both states cited declining infection and hospitalization numbers, along with high vaccination rates as allowing eased restrictions.
- Omicron Found in NYC Deer Raises Questions About COVID Transmission From Animals to Humans
A new study found that 15% of 131 white-tailed deer sampled in the borough of Staten Island tested positive for antibodies. Although there has not yet been any evidence that the virus can spread from animals to humans, the findings raise concerns that deer could become a reservoir of the virus or lead to new mutations.
- U.S. schools delay openings as Omicron rages; New York City hits 33% positivity rate
Thousands of U.S. schools delayed the scheduled return to classrooms following the holiday break or switched to remote learning as the Omicron variant of the coronavirus pushed COVID-19 cases to record levels. Nationwide, the country is averaging near 20% of tests coming back positive.
- Health experts not yet alarmed by new variant identified in France
Omicron has barely begun sweeping the country, and a new variant has already made itself known. B.1.640.2 was discovered in a traveler returning from Cameroon and has a high number of mutations.
- Omicron now makes up almost 3% of U.S. Covid cases, according to the CDC
After only one short week since the first confirmed case in the U.S., Omicron already makes up 3% of Covid cases in the country. More than two-dozen states have reported Omicron cases so far. California was first to confirm a case on Dec. 1 in a resident who flew into San Francisco from South Africa.
- Fears Over Omicron Have Not Encouraged Increase in Vaccinations or Boosters
The rapidly spreading omicron variant of the coronavirus isn’t doing much to encourage people to get a booster shot or call off holiday travel. Recent studies indicate existing vaccines substantially lower the risk of hospitalization from omicron, which appears milder than earlier infections.
- Pfizer says Covid-19 pill near 90% effective in final analysis
Pfizer’s final analysis of its antiviral Covid-19 pill showed near 90% efficacy in preventing hospitalizations and deaths in high-risk patients. Nobody in the trial who received the Pfizer treatment died, compared with 12 deaths among placebo recipients.
- AY.4.2, A Delta Covid-19 Coronavirus Subvariant, Has Spread To 42 Countries
This AY.4.2 takes the Delta variant and raises it three additional mutations, including two that affect the important spike proteins that studs the surface of the virus. The big question, of course, is whether these mutations make the virus more transmissible and potentially more lethal as well.
- Emerging SARS-CoV-2 variant A.30 efficiently evades vaccine-induced immunity
A recent study shows that a new A.30 variant of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) can evade vaccine-induced antibodies and might spread outside the lungs extraordinarily well. This finding holds important implications for our public health response.
- Escape Variants and how vaccine producers are struggling to prep for them
It is not clear how public health authorities will determine that there is escape variants and, therefore, that a novel vaccine is required. But once there is, it can be difficult to find unvaccinated volunteers in the first place. Finding unvaccinated individuals willing to submit to an experimental trial may be even harder. Recruiting placebo groups could present an ethical dilemma, as well.
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