All countries 'dangerously unprepared' for future pandemics, says IFRC The world is "dangerously unprepared" for future pandemics, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) say in a report published on Monday, calling on countries to update their preparedness plans by year-end. Reuters Reuters

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WHO says Covid-19 remains a global health emergency, but pandemic is at a 'transition point' | CNN Covid-19 remains a global health emergency, the World Health Organization said on Monday, but it acknowledged the pandemic is at a "transition point." Katherine Dillinger CNN

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WHO’s International Health Regulations Emergency Committee discussed the pandemic on Friday at its 14th meeting on Covid-19, and Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus concurred that the public health emergency of international concern, or PHEIC, declaration should continue. ...

Omicron sub-variant XBB.1.5 accounts for 61.3% of U.S. COVID cases - CDC The Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 has likely become the dominant variant in the United States, accounting for 61.3% of COVID cases in the week ended Jan. 28, data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed on Friday. Reuters Reuters

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The subvariant accounted for 49.5% of cases in the week ended Jan. 21, estimates from CDC showed.

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CDC urges people with weak immune systems to take extra precautions after Covid subvariants knock out Evusheld Evusheld was a key antibody treatment taken by people with weak immune systems as an added layer of protection. Spencer Kimball CNBC

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These precautions include wearing a high quality mask and social distancing when it’s not possible to avoid crowded indoor spaces, according to the CDC.

Record number of deaths in US from cardiovascular disease early in pandemic: Report shows New data from the American Heart Association highlights the major impact COVID-19 had on cardiovascular health and death rates during the first year of the pandemic. ABC News ABC News

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FDA panel recommends move toward streamlined COVID vaccine approach CIDRAP

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) vaccine advisory group today (Thursday) recommended streamlining COVID-19 vaccine campaigns by offering just the newer bivalent (two-strain) versions of the vaccine for both primary and booster series.

The next worrisome coronavirus variant could come from China — will it get detected? Nature - Genomic surveillance is crucial for tracking the next ‘variant of concern’, but many countries are winding back their monitoring. Lewis, Dyani nature

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It remains crucial that variants be tracked, yet scientists question how quickly the next variant of concern will be detected as many countries wind down surveillance efforts.

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We are all playing Covid roulette. Without clean air, the next infection could permanently disable you | George Monbiot As rich people plough money into ventilation to protect themselves, those with long Covid are treated as an embarrassment, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot the Guardian

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Roche launches new test to detect fast spreading Omicron sub-variant Roche has launched a new PCR test to detect a fast-spreading sub-variant of the Omicron variant of Coronavirus, the Swiss drugmaker said on Thursday. Reuters Reuters

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UK to give COVID booster dose to higher-risk groups in autumn British health minister Steve Barclay said on Wednesday a COVID-19 booster vaccination would be offered in autumn this year for those at higher risk of severe disease. Reuters Reuters

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