With inputs from Dr Monica Vasudev

France experiencing the eight wave of Coronavirus

France is in the midst of the eight wave of coronavirus. As per data published earlier this week, the 7-day moving average of daily new cases was recorded to be 45,631, which is the highest since early August. The total number of hospitalizations has also increased to 15,166 as has the number of ICU Covid patients at 843…(Source: Medscape, Oct. 5, 2022).

WHO report terms anxiety and burnout among healthcare workers as a “pandemic within a pandemic”

A new report prepared jointly by the Qatar Foundation, World Innovation Summit for Health (WISH) and the World Health Organization (WHO) has highlighted the high levels of anxiety, depression and burnout among health and care workers during the pandemic. Anxiety symptoms were reported by 23-46%, while 20-37% faced symptoms of depression. Almost half (41-52%) of them experienced burnout. Jim Campbell, WHO Director of Health Workforce said, “Well into the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic, this report confirms that the levels of anxiety, stress and depression among health and care workers has become a ‘pandemic within a pandemic”... (Source: WHO, Oct. 5, 2022).

Rising prevalence of BA.4.6 in the US

The BA.4.6 sublineage of the Omicron variant of concern has been steadily rising in the United States and now makes up around 13% of the circulating SARS-CoV-2 variants in the United States compared to 11.9% in the preceding week, as per data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The BA.5 continues to be the dominant strain and accounts for 81.3% cases, while the BA.4 is responsible for just 1.1% of cases…(Source: Reuters, Oct. 5, 2022).

Impact of masks on communication for the deaf people

Majority of the deaf and hard of hearing people found it difficult to communicate during the pandemic. Nearly 60% reported feeling “disconnected from society”, while 76% reported missing important information. Those with late-onset and “severe or profound” deafness faced challenges while communicating. People who relied on sign language thought that they were more disconnected because they missed reading the signs…(Source: Cognitive Research: Principles and Implications, Sept. 5, 2022).

Norwegian Cruise Line relaxes mandatory testing and masking rules

In a far cry from the days when the Diamond Princess Cruise became the hotspot of Covid-19, the Norwegian Cruise Line has relaxed the necessity of testing, masking and vaccination for its passengers. However, all travel guidelines as required in the country of visit would still be observed stated the cruise line…(Source: Medscape, Oct. 4, 2022).