With inputs from Dr Monica Vasudev

WHO finds 14.9 million excess deaths during the pandemic in 2020-21

There were around 14.9 million excess deaths associated with Covid-19 pandemic from January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2021 and ranged between 13.3 million and 16.6 million, says the World Health Organization. 81% of these deaths occurred in middle-income countries and 15% deaths were in the  high-income countries. Low-income countries reported just 4% of these excess deaths. Deaths directly due to the disease or indirectly due to the impact of the pandemic on society and healthcare systems comprise excess mortality. Majority of excess mortality has occurred in Europe, the Americas and South-East Asia… (Source: WHO, May 5, 2022)

CDC reiterates its recommendations for masking during travel

The CDC continues to recommend that all individuals aged 2 years and older including the staff should wear well-fitting face masks during travel in public transport such as trains, airplanes etc. including transportation hubs such as train stations, airports, etc. not only to protect themselves but also protect their fellow travelers and others. This reiteration from the CDC comes in the wake of a ruling by a Federal judge in Florida who ruled against a national mask mandate on public transportation and the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) said that it would not impose mandatory mask wearing … (Source: CDC & NPR, May 3, 2022)

Increase in new infections among TSA staff after lifting of mask mandate

There has been a 50% rise in Covid-19 among the staff of Transportation Security Administration after the federal mask mandate was rescinded by a Florida judge on 18th April. From 359 infections on April 18, the number of infections among the employees has climbed up to 542 on Monday (2nd May) suggesting 50% rise in infections… (Source: Medscape, May 5, 2022)

FDA restricts use of J&J Covid-19 vaccine due to the risk for thrombosis

Because of the risk of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS), a potentially fatal condition, which occurs 1-2 weeks after the administration of J&J Covid-19 vaccine, the US FDA on Thursday has allowed use of the vaccine in specific people only. Now “persons 18 years of age and older for whom other authorized or approved COVID-19 vaccines are not accessible or clinically appropriate, and to individuals 18 years of age and older who elect to receive the Janssen COVID-19 Vaccine because they would otherwise not receive a COVID-19 vaccine”… (Source: US FDA, May 5, 2022)

Airplane wastewater tests positive for SARS-CoV-2 despite mandatory pre-flight test and vaccine pass

Having a vaccination pass and a negative RT PCR before boarding an international flight did not prevent the import of the Omicron variant in Europe, suggests a study posted on the preprint server medRxiv. Testing of the wastewater of the airplane between landing and custom clearance found the SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the wastewater. Eleven passengers (20%) tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 with identification of the Omicron BA.1 subvariant … (Source: medRxiv, April 22, 2022)