Researchers in Japan have estimated that the B.1.1.7 variant strain of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that recently emerged in England is 40% more transmissible than strains previously circulating in the country. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is the agent…
Read More
AP-NORC poll: 1 in 5 in US lost someone close in pandemic
WASHINGTON — About 1 in 5 Americans say they lost a relative or close friend to the coronavirus, highlighting the division between heartache and hope as the country itches to get back to normal a year into the pandemic. A…
Read More
How do viruses evolve in bats?
Bats have played a crucial epidemiological role in the evolution of many viruses and house many coronaviruses. Until 2002, coronaviruses had been known to cause mild respiratory ailments in human beings. However, this notion changed in the same year when…
Read More
Continued vigilance needed as COVID lockdown is relaxed in England, warn researchers
Researchers have reported findings from round nine of the REal-time Assessment of Community Transmission Study (REACT-1) that estimates community prevalence of infections with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in England. The SARS-CoV-2 virus is the agent responsible for…
Read More
Concerning mutation in New York SARS-CoV-2 should be monitored, warn researchers
Researchers at the New York State Department of Health in the United States have said concerning mutations within the B.1.526 lineage of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that has recently become prevalent in New York State warrant further…
Read More
S.D. governor gives state high marks in handling the pandemic. Are they deserved?
Covid-19 has pushed states to adopt unique approaches to protect their residents, but few have garnered as much scrutiny as South Dakota. Its governor, Kristi Noem, refused to enact a mask mandate or close any businesses. She argued these precautions…
Read More
Dr. Birx Says She ‘Always’ Thought About Quitting, Talks COVID-19 Deniers in the White House
Dr. Deborah Birx is opening up about her time working as former president Donald Trump's U.S. coronavirus response coordinator. During a candid interview on CBS' Face the Nation, Birx — who announced last year that she would retire after helping…
Read More
Pfizer Vaccine Should Still Be Effective Against the New COVID Strain, Study Finds
Amid concerns about the new, faster-spreading COVID-19 strain, researchers at Pfizer have said that their vaccine should still be effective at fighting the virus. The new COVID-19 variant, B.1.1.7, emerged soon after the Food and Drug Administration approved Pfizer's vaccine…
Read More
Mom of 4 Wakes from COVID-Related Coma the Day Before Family Planned to Take Her Off Ventilator
A Georgia woman is heading into the new year having beaten incredible odds — and her family couldn't be more thankful. "Miracle patient" Lisa Martin, 49, had been admitted to the Memorial Satilla Health emergency room in Waycross, Georgia, in…
Read More
More Than One-Quarter of Americans Are 'Vaccine Hesitant' About COVID-19 Shot, Survey Finds
A new survey has found that over a quarter of Americans are "vaccine hesitant" about taking a shot to help prevent contracting the coronavirus. Published Tuesday by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor, the findings reflect that while…
Read More