• JN.1 now accounts for 62% of COVID cases: 3 updates on the strain

    The JN.1 COVID-19 variant is now the most prevalent strain both globally and in the U.S., where it accounts for an estimated 62% of cases. 
  • Some teens turn to 'budget Ozempic'

    Nearly 1 in 10 adolescents have used nonprescription weight loss products in their lifetimes that are ineffective and potentially harmful, according to a study published Jan. 10 in Jama Network Open.
  • Mass Gen, YouTube create first aid videos

    YouTube is taking a dive into the healthcare industry by partnering with Mass General Brigham to produce step-by-step, explainer videos on first aid topics. 
  • Number of states reporting 'very high' virus levels rises alongside admissions

    Twenty-one states reported "very high" levels of respiratory virus activity — a measure of outpatient and emergency department visits — for the week ending Dec. 30, up from 13 that reported the same a week earlier.  
  • Immunity's role in COVID-19 test result lags

    COVID-19 tests used to be able to detect a positive case within the first 48 hours, but many results are now delayed until four days after symptoms appear, according to the LA Times.
  • 2 COVID variants might be more severe than thought

    Two COVID-19 omicron subvariants that emerged in 2023, BA.2.86 and JN.1, may be more severe than previously thought, according to research published Jan. 8 in the journal Cell.
  • Philadelphia hospitals named epicenter of measles outbreak

    Philadelphia officials have named five hospitals, two healthcare facilities and one day care as potential exposure sites to a measles outbreak.
  • COVID admissions jump 20% as JN.1 spreads: 5 virus updates

    Hospitalizations for respiratory viruses are on the rise nationwide following a holiday season marked by extensive travel and indoor gatherings.
  • The cost of respiratory virus season in 7 numbers

    Upticks in respiratory virus activity, especially hospitalizations, are taxing to the nation's healthcare system in terms of both costs and resources. 
  • Philadelphia officials warn of growing measles outbreak

    Officials from the Philadelphia Department of Public Health are reporting a cluster of measles cases in unvaccinated individuals, according to a Jan. 5 news release. 
  • Don't blame COVID uptick on seasonality, experts say

    Nearly 35,000 COVID-19 patients were admitted to hospitals across the country in the week ending Dec. 30 — a 20% jump from the week prior. In the same week, more than 20,000 flu patients were hospitalized, according to the latest updates from the CDC. 
  • Florida surgeon general calls for halt of COVID vaccines, FDA fires back

    Florida Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, MD, PhD, has called for a halt to the administration of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines over concerns about what he calls nucleic acid contaminants, the office shared in a Jan. 3 news release. The move contradicts national guidelines from the CDC and FDA. 
  • Intermountain's blueprint for reshaping respiratory virus care in 2024

    Despite rising respiratory infections nationwide, Kim Bennion, the enterprise director of research and respiratory care at Salt Lake City-based Intermountain Healthcare, is optimistic about what 2024 may hold for respiratory care, thanks in-part to advances in technology like artificial intelligence. The advancements promise to streamline pulmonary care and could eventually be used to also monitor more acute respiratory conditions like COVID-19 or the flu. 
  • Iowa hospitals treat multiple victims from school shooting; 1 dead, 5 injured

    Multiple victims from a mass shooting at Perry High School in Perry, Iowa, the morning of Jan. 4 have been taken to Iowa Methodist Medical Center and MercyOne in Des Moines, a spokesperson for the hospitals confirmed to Becker's.
  • Cost of treating COVID patients has risen 26% since 2020

    When the pandemic began in 2020, providing care to hospitalized COVID-19 patients cost hospitals around $10,394 per patient. Since then, the price to provide the same inpatient care climbed by 26% to $13,072 in just two years, according to the research published Jan. 3 in JAMA. 
  • New York health officials report rise in whooping cough cases

    New York state health officials are reporting a rise in cases of pertussis, also known as whooping cough. 
  • 13 states with 'very high' respiratory virus levels

    COVID-19 and flu admissions continue to climb across the country, with the majority of states now reporting high levels of respiratory virus activity. 
  • 4 states where mask mandates have returned as virus counts climb

    As hospitalizations and case counts increase for COVID-19, flu and respiratory syncytial virus nationwide following the holiday season, some places have brought back mask policies to curb the spike.
  • AI to predict the severity of COVID variants

    Artificial intelligence may be able to detect and predict severity of new COVID-19 variants, according to a study published Jan. 2 in PNAS Nexus.
  • Clinicians warn of infection risks tied to med spas

    Lack of oversight and increasing reports of infection are causing physicians to sound alarm bells about risks related to medical spas.

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