Evolving peak SARS-CoV-2 loads relative to symptom onset may influence home-test timing Median SARS-CoV-2 viral loads, as measured by polymerase chain reaction cycle threshold and antigen concentrations, rose from symptom onset, peaking on the fourth or fifth day of symptoms. CIDRAP

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Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) present increased risk for ischemic cardiovascular complications up to 1 year after infection. Although the systemic inflammatory response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection likely contributes to this increased cardiovascular risk, whether SARS-CoV-2 directly infects the coronary vasculature and attendant atherosclerotic plaques remains unknown.

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Study: 75% of infants hospitalized with COVID-19 born to unvaccinated women ProStock-Studio/iStock CIDRAP

This week, studies in Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report describe the landscape of COVID-19 vaccination among women of reproductive age and those who are pregnant, showing better outcomes for infants whose mothers were vaccinated during pregnancy.

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COVID-19 third leading cause of death in Australia in 2022 An infectious disease (influenza and pneumonia) was last in the top 5 leading causes of death in 1970. CIDRAP

Last year, COVID-19 killed 9,859 Australians, behind only heart disease and dementia (including Alzheimer’s) as the leading causes of death in the country.

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Flu, Covid vaccination rates decline, as U.S. health officials make new push for inoculations Vaccination rates against flu and Covid-19 have declined since earlier in the pandemic and a new survey suggests significant portions of the U.S. population intend to forgo these vaccines this fall. Helen Branswell STAT

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Biden administration draws commitment from health insurers to cover COVID-19 shots The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) met with representatives from the health insurance industry on Wednesday, receiving commitments that the updated COVID-19 vaccines will be covered … jchoi The Hill

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London's Gatwick Airport limits flights this week due to staff illness, including COVID-19 Gatwick Airport, London’s second-busiest, is limiting flights this week, partly because of an outbreak of COVID-19 within air traffic control. AP News

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Gatwick said around 30% of staff in the division within air traffic control are off sick for a variety of reasons, including COVID-19.

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Only about 1 in 4 American adults definitely wants the updated Covid-19 vaccine, new survey finds | CNN When it comes to getting the updated Covid-19 vaccines this year, only about 1 in 4 American adults say they definitely plan to get the shot, according to new survey findings from the nonprofit health policy group KFF. Roughly another quarter of adults say they will probably get the shot. Brenda Goodman CNN

ALSO SEE: Gallup’s quarterly poll finds some Americans are more worried about COVID — doctors weigh in

What Happens to Health Programs if the Federal Government Shuts Down? - KFF Health News Medicare and Medicaid shouldn’t be affected, but confusion can be expected. Lynne Shallcross KFF Health News

For the first time since 2019, congressional gridlock is poised to at least temporarily shut down big parts of the federal government — including many health programs.

EU in talks with Moderna over new deal for COVID vaccines - FT The European Union is in talks with Moderna over a new supply deal for the company's COVID-19 vaccines amid concerns over a rise in infections in the region, the Financial Times reported on Tuesday, citing two people familiar with the matter. Reuters Reuters

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