SimplyInfo.org Coronavirus Live Blog 02.01.2022

This is an ongoing weekly update of news headlines, new studies, and data related to the coronavirus outbreak. The newest information is at the top. If you have a question or want to discuss this issue in-depth, we have been discussing this issue in our chat system. Covid blog Information is updated once a week.

Last week’s blog post from 01.25.22 can be found here

We have moved older live blog posts to an archive that can be found in the right-side navigation.
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Vaccine Related Information:

Moderna starts clinical trial of booster shot targeting omicron Covid variant
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/26/moderna-starts-clinical-trial-of-booster-shot-targeting-omicron-covid-variant.html

And then there were 2: FDA gives full approval to Moderna’s Covid-19 vaccine
https://www.statnews.com/2022/01/31/and-then-there-were-2-fda-gives-full-approval-to-modernas-covid-19-vaccine/

Novavax applies to the F.D.A. for authorization of its Covid vaccine.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/31/business/novavax-vaccine-fda.html

Pfizer expected to seek EUA for its Covid-19 vaccine for children younger than 5 as soon as today
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-02-01-22/index.html

Novavax applies to the F.D.A. for authorization of its Covid vaccine.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/31/business/novavax-vaccine-fda.html

The F.D.A. grants Moderna’s vaccine full approval.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/01/31/world/omicron-covid-vaccine-tests/the-fda-grants-modernas-vaccine-full-approval

Third dose of mRNA vaccine boosts protection from hospitalization in immunocompromised, study finds
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-01-27-22/index.html

Vaccination and booster shots almost obliterate dangerous Omicron risks, Moderna official says
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-01-27-22/index.html

CDC charts show how much 2 and 3 doses of COVID vaccine protect from hospitalization
https://www.businessinsider.com/cdc-charts-omicron-hospitalization-vaccine-booster-unvaccinated-2022-1

Despite CDC directive, many pharmacies refusing to give fourth shots to immune-compromised patients
https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/26/health/fourth-shots-immune-compromised/index.html

Universal coronavirus vaccines are in the works but “going to take years to develop,” Fauci says
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-01-26-22/index.html

 

Testing:

With ‘Authorized’ Instructions — Potential gains with at-home kits if users know how to interpret negative results https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19/96950

Rutgers Researchers Develop COVID-19 Rapid Test that Can Detect Omicron Variant
https://www.tapinto.net/towns/new-brunswick/sections/rutgers-university/articles/rutgers-researchers-develop-covid-19-rapid-test-that-can-detect-omicron-variant

US scientists develop cheap smartphone-based test kit for Covid Doing a test with new technique could cost a 10th of a PCR and has been as reliable in small-scale trial https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/28/us-scientists-develop-cheap-smartphone-based-test-kit-for-covid

How to properly store your at-home COVID-19 rapid tests – Temperature changes, moisture levels and other factors may affect results. https://www.today.com/health/health/properly-store-home-covid-rapid-tests-rcna13045

 

 

Scientific Research & Variants:

Omicron’s spread underscores the potential consequences of the global vaccine gap, experts say.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/01/26/world/omicron-covid-vaccine-tests/omicrons-spread-underscores-the-potential-consequences-of-the-global-vaccine-gap-experts-say

More than two-thirds of omicron cases are reinfections, English study suggests
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/26/more-than-two-thirds-of-omicron-cases-are-reinfections-study-suggests.html

CDC study finds shorter hospital stays during omicron wave, even as infections and death toll mount
https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/CDC-study-finds-shorter-hospital-stays-during-16804049.php

Omicron variant of COVID may be the most contagious virus to ever exist, scientists say –
The only rival for omicron in terms of known contagious viruses is the measles
https://www.salon.com/2022/01/27/omicron-variant-of-may-be-the-most-contagious-to-ever-exist-scientists-say/

Where did Omicron come from? Three key theories – The highly transmissible variant emerged
with a host of unusual mutations. Now scientists are trying to work out how it evolved.
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-022-00215-2

Omicron drives US deaths higher than in fall’s delta wave
https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-business-health-california-public-health-83c0a053bfdd615b5ae7170007c2f1f9

The latest Covid variant is 1.5 times more contagious than omicron and already circulating in almost half of U.S. states
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/28/the-new-bapoint2-omicron-subvariant-is-already-circulating-in-half-of-us-states.html

Vaccine-induced immunological memory is similar for Omicron and Delta SARS-CoV-2 variants
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20220131/Vaccine-induced-immunological-memory-is-similar-for-Omicron-and-Delta-SARS-CoV-2-variants.aspx

Risk for Newly Diagnosed Diabetes >30 Days After SARS-CoV-2 Infection Among Persons Aged <18 Years — United States, March 1, 2020–June 28, 2021 https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7102e2.htm

New COVID ‘stealth’ variant, BA.2, reported in 17 states
https://www.al.com/news/2022/01/new-covid-stealth-variant-ba2-reported-in-17-states.html

Estimating the impending endemic seasonality of SARS-CoV-2 in global population centers
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20220131/Estimating-the-impending-endemic-seasonality-of-SARS-CoV-2-in-global-population-centers.aspx

“Immunologist Dr. Anthony Leonardi speaks on Long COVID and the dangers posed by SARS-CoV-2”
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/11/10/leon-n10.html
part 2: “Immunologist Dr. Anthony Leonardi speaks on Long COVID and the dangers posed by SARS-CoV-2”
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/11/11/leon-n11.html
(July 2021): “Scientists uncover ancient coronavirus epidemic in East Asia”
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/07/24/epid-j24.html

Three exposures to SARS-CoV-2 spike protein can induce robust neutralizing
antibodies against variants
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20220131/Three-exposures-to-SARS-CoV-2-spike-protein-can-induce-robust-neutralizing-antibodies-against-variants.aspx 

Vaccine-induced immunological memory is similar for Omicron and Delta SARS-CoV-2 variants
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20220131/Vaccine-induced-immunological-memory-is-similar-for-Omicron-and-Delta-SARS-CoV-2-variants.aspx 

Estimating the impending endemic seasonality of SARS-CoV-2 in global population centers
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20220131/Estimating-the-impending-endemic-seasonality-of-SARS-CoV-2-in-global-population-centers.aspx 

Covid-infected HIV patient developed 21 mutations, SA study shows
https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2022-01-31-covid-infected-hiv-patient-developed-21-mutations-sa-study-shows/

Long Covid study finds abnormality in lungs that could explain breathlessness Findings raise
possibility Covid may cause microscopic damage not detected by normal tests
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/jan/29/long-covid-study-finds-abnormality-in-lungs-that-could-explain-breathlessness

Lung abnormalities found in long COVID patients with breathlessness
https://www.msn.com/en-in/health/medical/lung-abnormalities-found-in-long-covid-patients-with-breathlessness/ar-AAThawr

Long COVID-19: Study author explains four factors that can predict how you get it
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/591528-long-covid-study-author-explains-four-factors-that-can-predict-how-you-get

 

 

Outbreaks & Restrictions:

An Omicron surge across Asia restricts travel during the Lunar New Year weekend.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/31/world/asia/omicron-asia-lunar-new-year.html

CDC warns against travel to countries including Mexico and Brazil
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/01/31/covid-omicron-variant-live-updates/#link-EWEDPFZBM5F45EHOQE76QO7TRY

Beijing seals off several neighborhood blocks near Olympics over Covid-19 concerns
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-02-01-22/index.html

24 new Covid-19 cases detected among Olympics-related personnel
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-02-01-22/index.html

Thailand reopens quarantine-free travel to people from any country
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-02-01-22/index.html

A coronavirus case in Beijing’s Olympic bubble is linked to a German team.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/27/world/asia/covid-case-beijing-olympics-germany.html

Latest on COVID-19 in MN: Tangled trends keep surge path clouded
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2022/01/28/latest-on-covid19-in-mn

COVID-19 severity changing in Minnesota hospitals – Predictions proved true: Omicron variant
was less severe, but its unprecedented spread increased hospital numbers.
https://www.startribune.com/covid-19-severity-changing-in-minnesota-hospitals/600140317/

Delta variant dominant as Beijing tops China’s Covid-19 tally
https://www.scmp.com/beijing-winter-olympics-2022/article/3165320/delta-variant-dominant-beijing-tops-chinas-covid-19

California appears to pass peak of omicron variant wave
https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/California-appears-to-pass-peak-of-omicron-16804209.php

 

 

All Other Covid News:

“Covid Situation Continuing to Develop Not Necessarily to the Officialdom’s Advantage”
https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2022/01/covid-situation-continuing-to-develop-not-necessarily-to-the-officialdoms-advantage.html

A devil’s choice: Take an immune-suppressing drug and risk getting Covid or watch my wrist joints disintegrate?
https://www.statnews.com/2022/01/31/rheumatoid-arthritis-humira-immune-supression-covid19/

England set to U-turn on mandatory vaccines for healthcare staff –
Health Secretary Sajid Javid no longer believes the policy is proportionate.
https://www.politico.eu/article/england-set-to-u-turn-on-mandatory-vaccines-for-healthcare-staff/

Newsom defends maskless photo at NFL playoff game – The California governor
faces a barrage of criticism after posing for a maskless photo with Magic Johnson.
https://www.politico.com/news/2022/01/31/newsom-covid-maskless-photo-00003769

What We Can Learn From How the 1918 Pandemic Ended
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/31/opinion/covid-pandemic-end.html

Ivermectin Shows ‘Antiviral Effect’ Against COVID, Japanese Company Says
https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2022-01-31/japans-kowa-says-ivermectin-effective-against-omicron-in-phase-iii-trial
double-blind study in COvid-19 patients with ivermectin
https://rctportal.niph.go.jp/en/detail?trial_id=jRCT2031200120

K pop star tests positive for covid after appendicitis surgery.
https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/jan/31/bts-member-jimin-treated-for-appendicitis-and-covid

Vaccinated, boosted parents slash their kids’ COVID risk — pre-Omicron Israeli study –
As most of world’s young kids not yet eligible, research shows kids living with 2
inoculated parents during Alpha outbreak had 72% fewer infections than unvaxxed parents’ offspring
https://www.timesofisrael.com/vaccinated-boosted-parents-slash-kids-covid-risk-pre-omicron-israeli-study/

Boris Johnson faces an outcry after the release of a report on lockdown parties.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/02/01/world/pfizer-vaccine-children/boris-johnson-faces-an-outcry-after-the-release-of-a-report-on-lockdown-parties

When the Dying COVID Patient Is 23 — Palliative care conversations have taken on a new meaning during the pandemic
https://www.medpagetoday.com/opinion/second-opinions/96887

Democratic senators urge Justice Department to ramp up efforts to prevent sale of fraudulent face masks
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/02/01/covid-omicron-variant-live-updates/#link-WUG6WGGVDFF67LI7LATV4A6WJU

Pandemic creates tons of medical waste, threatening environment and human health, WHO says
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/02/01/covid-omicron-variant-live-updates/#link-YSZD5BQJ7FHYXGARHXBU625ZJA

“The science behind the omicron wave’s sharp peak and rapid decline – Why do Covid-19 surges seem to end as suddenly as they begin?” https://www.vox.com/22905020/omicron-wave-surge-covid-19-cases-vaccines

Jan 31: “Two Years Since First COVID-19 Case Detected in Santa Clara County”
https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/two-years-since-first-covid-19-case-detected-in-santa-clara-county/2795599/

Newly proposed SC law would make it a crime to ask about vaccine status
https://www.foxcarolina.com/coronavirus/newly-proposed-sc-law-would-make-it-a-crime-to-ask-about-vaccine-status/article_8855a606-7daf-11ec-b3ca-4b10a28190d5.html

Patchwork system for rationing a Covid drug sends immunocompromised patients on a ‘Hunger Games hunt’
https://www.statnews.com/2022/01/27/patchwork-system-for-rationing-covid-drug-sends-patients-on-hunger-games-hunt/

EU regulators approve Paxlovid antiviral pill for those at risk of severe Covid-19
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-01-27-22/index.html

Kansas bill would force pharmacists to fill ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine as off-label COVID treatment
https://www.cjonline.com/story/news/coronavirus/2022/01/25/kansas-politicians-off-label-ivermectin-hydroxychloroquine-covid-treatment-pharmacists/9198489002/

The U.S. education secretary urges schools to use federal funds to help students catch up.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/01/27/world/omicron-covid-vaccine-tests/the-us-education-secretary-urges-schools-to-use-federal-funds-to-help-students-catch-up

Some Americans are hesitant about Covid vaccines. But they’re all-in on unproven treatments
https://www.statnews.com/2022/01/27/some-americans-are-hesitant-about-covid-vaccines-but-theyre-all-in-on-unproven-treatments/

“Sarah Palin dined at NYC restaurant two days before testing positive for Covid – The former Alaska governor is not vaccinated, a judge said Monday.” https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/sarah-palin-dined-nyc-restaurant-two-days-testing-positive-covid-rcna13400

“Sarah Palin returns to NYC restaurant two days after testing positive for Covid – But this time, the unvaccinated former Alaska governor and her party sat outside Elio’s.” https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/sarah-palin-returns-nyc-restaurant-two-days-testing-positive-covid-rcna13790

White House says 60M households have ordered free COVID-19 tests
https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/591835-white-house-says-60m-households-have-ordered-free-covid-19-tests

Outrage as Paris hospitals chief raises idea of charging unvaccinated patients
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/28/outrage-as-paris-hospitals-chief-raises-idea-of-charging-unvaccinated-patients

Warning from Wuhan: Chinese scientists say new Covid “variant” ‘NeoCov’ has high mortality rate – Report
https://www.wionews.com/world/warning-from-wuhan-chinese-scientists-say-new-covid-variant-neocov-has-high-mortality-rate-report-448335

Close relatives of MERS-CoV in bats use ACE2 as their functional receptors
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2022.01.24.477490v1

Reports of COVID-19 variant ‘NeoCov’ are spreading – Here’s what we know so far
https://www.businessinsider.in/science/health/news/reports-of-covid-19-variant-neocov-are-spreading-heres-what-we-know-so-far/articleshow/89180852.cms

Difficult to assess danger of newly discovered NeoCov coronavirus so far, scientist says –
According to Sergey Alkhovsky, the discovery of this variety shows that the variants of viruses
capable of binding to human receptors without any adaptation are already circulating directly in the wild
https://tass.com/world/1394093

Canada truckers’ vaccine protest spirals into calls to repeal all public health rules Ahead of Saturday’s
protest in Ottawa, Trudeau dismisses the group as a ‘small fringe’ that holds ‘unacceptable views’
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/28/canada-truckers-covid-vaccine-mandate-protest-government

Trucks roll into Ottawa for protest against Canada’s vaccine mandates
https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/ottawa-set-massive-protest-against-canadas-vaccine-mandates-2022-01-29/

Student leaders ask Minnesota State to require vaccines
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2022/01/27/student-leaders-ask-minnesota-state-to-require-vaccines

Hospital refusing heart transplant for man who won’t get vaccinated
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/brigham-and-womens-hospital-boston-refusing-heart-transplant-man-wont-get-vaccinated

Africa may have reached the pandemic’s holy grail
https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2022/01/28/1072591923/africa-may-have-reached-the-pandemics-holy-grail

Biden pressured to cover COVID-19 tests through Medicare
https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/591882-biden-pressured-to-cover-covid-19-tests-through-medicare

“Gottlieb: US should be ‘aggressive’ in lifting COVID-19 measures as conditions improve”
https://thehill.com/homenews/media/591823-gottlieb-us-should-be-aggressive-in-lifting-covid-measures-as-conditions

Northern masks, Southern indifference: How Covid precautions differ widely by region
“At this time, you would not think there is a pandemic. It’s slammed right now,”
the owner of a yoga studio outside of Atlanta said.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/northern-masks-southern-indifference-covid-precautions-differ-widely-r-rcna12930

A Sioux Falls registered nurse says: Here is the harsh reality of ‘care rationing’ in the time of Covid
https://www.sdstandardnow.com/home/a-sioux-falls-registered-nurse-says-here-is-the-harsh-reality-of-care-rationing-in-the-time-of-covid

“Should you get a 4th COVID vaccine? UCSF’s Bob Wachter weighs in.”
https://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/should-I-get-4th-COVID-vaccine-16813428.php
Read Wachter’s complete thread on Twitter.
https://twitter.com/Bob_Wachter/status/1486726062855708690

Two New York nurses charged with forging Covid vaccine cards to earn more than $1.5 million
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/29/long-island-nurses-charged-with-faking-covid-jabs-to-earn-more-than-1point5-million.html

After more than 600 days shut out, Delhi’s students just want to go back to school
https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/27/india/india-delhi-schools-reopen-600-days-intl-hnk/index.html

Man refuses to get required covid vaccine in order to receive a kidney transplant
https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/i-will-die-free-unvaccinated-burke-county-man-denied-kidney-transplant-by-hospital/OJGAFURR4FGERJB7VT24P5RED4/

Hospital system near breaking point, OHA says
https://www.koin.com/news/health/coronavirus/oha-to-hold-briefing-after-oregon-surpassed-6k-covid-deaths

Many of those stricken with omicron say this supposedly “mild” variant isn’t so mild –
“Bone-crushing chills” and week-long ear infections: some experts don’t think it’s apt to call this variant “mild”
https://www.salon.com/2022/01/29/omicron-not-so-mild/

Sources: U.S. Olympic bobsled team dealing with COVID-19 ‘nightmare’
https://sports.yahoo.com/olympics-team-usa-bobsled-dealing-with-covid-19-trouble-per-sources-022756014.html

States Want to Eliminate All Childhood Vaccinations
https://ritholtz.com/2022/01/eliminate-childhood-vaccinations/

NE Ohio hospitals see alarming number of kids with COVID Long-Haul Syndrome
https://fox8.com/news/coronavirus/ne-ohio-hospitals-see-alarming-number-of-kids-with-covid-long-haul-syndrome-months-after-virus/

N.Y.C. is offering free home delivery of Covid antiviral pills, though supply is limited.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/30/nyregion/nyc-covid-antiviral-pills-delivery.html

New York State’s mask policy is back in effect after a judge grants a stay.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/25/nyregion/nyc-mask-mandate-ruling.html

Pfizer Launches Clinical Trial for Omicron Booster Awfully Late….What Gives?
https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2022/01/pfizer-launches-clinical-trial-for-omicron-booster-awfully-late-what-gives.html

D.C. students walk out to protest ‘not safe’ school covid protocols
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/01/26/covid-omicron-variant-live-updates/#link-PRTRTDVFIREEZGZMDD4AFUHSIY

Why did everyone in my household get COVID-19 except me?
https://www.sfgate.com/coronavirus/article/Why-do-some-people-get-COVID-others-not-16800975.php?IPID=SFGate-HP-CP-Spotlight

Germany to crack down on Covid protesters in yellow star badges Police told to detain
activists trivialising the Holocaust in acts to be classified as ‘secondary antisemitism’
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/26/germany-to-crack-down-on-covid-protesters-in-yellow-star-badges

White House sketches a future in which normal life and Covid-19 coexist
https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/26/politics/white-house-vaccine-covid-19/index.html

It’s “dangerous” to assume we are at the end of the pandemic, WHO director-general says
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-01-26-22/index.html

Workplaces are filling up with employees who have COVID
https://ktla.com/news/california/workplaces-are-filling-up-with-employees-who-have-covid/

Feds: Florida received effective COVID treatments against omicron
https://www.local10.com/news/local/2022/01/26/feds-florida-received-effective-covid-treatments-against-omicron/

Red wine could reduce chances of COVID-19 infection, U.K. study suggests
https://www.fox6now.com/news/red-wine-could-reduce-chances-of-covid-19-infection-u-k-study-suggests

The curious tale of why 49ers and Rams coaches can circumvent California mask mandates at indoor SoFi Stadium
https://www.sfgate.com/49ers/article/coaches-maskless-at-Rams-games-16806837.php

Covid denialist and Bolsonaro ally Olavo de Carvalho died of virus, says daughter
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/25/covid-denialist-bolsonaro-ally-olavo-de-carvalho-dies-coronavirus

Climate change and mRNA researchers named as Japan Prize winners
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/01/25/national/science-health/japan-prize-scientists/

What to Do if You’ve Lost Your Covid-19 Vaccination Card
https://www.nytimes.com/article/vaccine-card-replacement.html

Josh Williamson is first Team USA athlete to test positive for COVID ahead of 2022 Olympics
https://sports.yahoo.com/olympics-josh-williamson-covid-204457745.html

 

 

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