Updated boosters are cutting the risk of getting sick from Covid-19 by about half | CNN The updated Covid-19 boosters are cutting the risk that a person will get sick from the coronavirus by about half, even against infections caused by the rapidly spreading XBB.1.5 subvariant. Brenda Goodman CNN

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Setting the record straight: There is no 'Covid heart' In a world where success is measured by clicks, the idea that even mild cases of Covid-19 could pose a new and unprecedented threat to the heart took off, even though it was largely unsubstantiated. Patrick Skerrett STAT

After a year of frightening headlines, widespread concern, and countless retweets that the virus that causes Covid-19 may attack the heart more aggressively than any other viral illness, the verdict is in: It doesn’t.

The COVID vaccine success story as a springboard for future research CIDRAP

The harmonized approach and broad database created by the COVID-19 Prevention Network (CoVPN), or Operation Warp Speed (OWS), to rapidly develop life-saving SARS-CoV-2 vaccines can be harnessed for future research on other public health threats that require a speedy response, according to a special communication published yesterday in JAMA Network Open.

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China says COVID deaths, severe cases have fallen over 70% since peak Critically ill COVID-19 cases in China are down 72% from a peak early this month while daily deaths among COVID-19 patients in hospitals have dropped 79% from their peak, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention said on Wednesday. Reuters Reuters

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Only 1% of immune-impaired US adults have gotten the recommended 5 COVID vaccine doses CIDRAP

Only 41% of US adults with impaired immune systems, who are at high risk for poor COVID-19 outcomes, have received four doses of mRNA vaccine, and less than 1% had received the recommended five doses as of August, according to a study published late last week in JAMA Network Open.

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WHO seeks $2.5 billion to battle health emergencies The World Health Organization on Monday launched a funding appeal for $2.54 billion to help people facing health emergencies across the world including in conflicts in Yemen, Syria and Ukraine. Reuters Reuters

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GAO: HHS Could Improve Oversight of Research Involving Enhanced Potential Pandemic Pathogens - HS Today HHS also oversees research involving certain pandemic pathogens through its Federal Select Agent Program. Homeland Security Today Hstoday

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What doctors wish patients knew about COVID-19 reinfection Newer COVID-19 variants are contributing to second or even third SARS-CoV-2 infections. Learn how to avoid the worse outcomes linked to reinfection. American Medical Association

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Eight in 10 people in China caught Covid since early December, say officials Reported death toll surges to 72,000 after zero-Covid restrictions lifted; some experts estimate 1m deaths the Guardian

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US adults cite misbeliefs about eligibility, immunity for not getting COVID booster The most-cited reasons for not getting new COVID-19 boosters were lack of awareness about eligibility and overestimations of their own existing immunity. CIDRAP

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After participants were given information on eligibility and availability, 67.8% of those who hadn't gotten a booster said that they would pursue one; a survey 1 month later showed that 28.6% of these participants had done so.

CDC is talking to airlines about wastewater testing in planes. New reports support that strategy. Analyzing airplane sewage could help scientists track new Covid variants entering the U.S., or identify novel pathogens. NBC News

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The U.S. has been monitoring for the coronavirus in wastewater since the CDC launched its National Wastewater Surveillance System in September 2020. But that testing mainly involves wastewater from households or buildings, not samples from airports or planes.

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