Health Care — New CDC data backs up bivalent booster potency If you ever feel like your dog is judging, they just might be. New research found dogs can determine human aptitude, and they will look to people who they think are more competent.  Today… jbyrnes The Hill

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New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show the bivalent COVID-19 booster shot was effective at reducing the risk of hospitalization and emergency room visits by at least 50 percent. 

Flu and RSV hit hard and early; now, Covid-19 is starting to rise | CNN Just when you thought it was safe for a holiday visit with your Auntie Mary and her fragile health, RSV and the flu reared their heads -- and now Covid-19 numbers are creeping up again. Jen Christensen CNN

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Losing Smell and Taste to COVID-19 Linked to Lower Reinfection Risk After a mild COVID-19 infection, people who lost smell or taste were twice as likely to have antibodies that may protect against reinfection. EverydayHealth.com

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It’s the End of the House COVID Panel As We Know It The majority of the panel has released its final report on the lack of preparations ahead of the pandemic, blunders by the Trump administration and recommendations for reform. Courtney Bublé Government Executive

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US deaths fell this year, but not to pre-COVID levels NEW YORK (AP) — The number of U.S. deaths dropped this year, but there are still more than there were before the coronavirus hit. Preliminary data — through the first 11 months of the year — indicates 2022 will see fewer deaths than the previous two COVID-19 pandemic years. AP NEWS

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If the decline does hold, it will still be a far cry from where the nation was before the coronavirus appeared. This year’s count is likely to end up at least 13% higher than what it was in 2019.

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WHO estimates two-year global death toll of COVID-19 pandemic at 15 million Almost 15 million people likely died as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021, nearly three times more than previously reported, a new World Health Organization study estimates. UPI

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China's COVID scare sparks run on flu medicines, test kits as far away as Australia The rising alarm over COVID-19 spreading in China was felt in pharmacies in Hong Kong, Macau, and in some neighbourhoods in Australia, as people hunted for fever medicines and virus test kits to send to family and friends on the mainland. Stella Qiu,Sophie Yu Reuters

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Omicron BQ, XBB subvariants are a serious threat to boosters and knock out antibody treatments, study finds

White House warns of possible Covid-19 winter surge: 'This is not one disease in isolation' | CNN Politics For Americans across the country preparing to gather and socialize with family and friends during the end-of-year holiday season, the White House has a clear warning: Covid-19 is not over, and you had better protect yourself. MJ Lee CNN

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White House announces new COVID-19 prevention efforts, including free tests, vaccination clinics, support for nursing homes Biden administration announces new efforts to reduce COVID-19 as cases rise after Thanksgiving holiday. Will provide more tests, shots and treatments. Karen Weintraub USA TODAY

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Two years later, did Covid vaccines live up to their promise? Despite the success of mRNA vaccines, researchers think a new generation of Covid vaccines could provide broader, longer-term protection in the future. NBC News

...In particular, researchers think sprays or drops given through the nose or mouth could do a better job of stopping transmission. They also hope that vaccines that target multiple parts of the virus or several variants at once could reduce the need for continuous boosters.

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