India logs highest single day rise in Covid-19 cases in 10 months Global health body World Health Organization (WHO) has classified the JN.1 variant as a separate variant of interest apart from its parent lineage BA.2.86, due to its rapid increase in prevalence Business Standard Business Standard

On Sunday, India logged 841 fresh cases of Covid-19, recording the highest single-day rise in more than seven months.

Study finds similar brain effects after severe COVID, other critical illnesses Pornchai Soda / iStock CIDRAP

A study involving hospitalized adults today in JAMA Network Open finds that severe COVID-19 negatively affects brain health, but no more so than pneumonia, heart attack, or other critical illnesses.

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COVID antiviral uptake low among eligible Americans Over the course of the study, most participants were eligible for antiviral use. CIDRAP

A new report published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases demonstrates that, despite the proven effectiveness of Paxlovid and molnupiravir against severe COVID-19 outcomes, uptake of these two antivirals remains low among Americans with COVID.

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Some hospitals reinstating mask requirements amid rise in COVID As COVID-19 and other respiratory infections rise across the country, some major health systems are bringing back mask requirements to stop the spread of infections.  This week, Mass General B… nweixel The Hill

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Another major Boston hospital, the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, began requiring masks for patients and staff on Dec. 18. The hospital said the policy would be in place for the “foreseeable future.”

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Respiratory virus levels climb as JN.1 dominates COVID detections PeopleImages/iStock CIDRAP

... In its tracking of three main viruses that drive visits to health providers for symptoms such as fever and sore throat, the CDC said respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity remains elevated, especially for young children. Meanwhile, COVID-19 activity is increasing in many parts of the country, as is seasonal flu, though hospital bed occupancy and intensive care unit (ICU) capacity for all patients remains stable.

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2023 was the year of record heat temperatures Humans have just experienced what will go down as the hottest year in recorded history -- so far -- as the planet experienced heating at an unprecedented pace. ABC News ABC News

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Throughout 2023, records for the warmest temperatures around the world were broken one by one. But record-eclipsing temperatures will no longer be an anomaly if greenhouse gas emissions that fuel global warming continue at the current pace, according to climate scientists.

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King Charles III's Christmas message reflects a coronation theme and calls for planet's protection King Charles III has reflected his coronation theme of public service y in a Christmas message that he connected to the health of the planet and wars that are raging. AP News

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