With inputs from Dr Monica Vasudev

Covid-19-related deaths rise again, says WHO

The number of weekly new Covid cases continues to show a decline, but the weekly deaths have again risen by 4% following five weeks of decreasing trend, says the WHO in its latest COVID-19 Weekly Epidemiological Update. The new weekly deaths in the Regions of Americas were up by 21% and in the Western Pacific region by 17%, while the new weekly deaths decrease in the other four regions… (Source: WHO, June 15, 2022)

Covid-19 vaccines for children below 5 years in the US may start soon

An FDA Panel has unanimously recommended the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna Covid-19 vaccines for use in children younger than 5 years beginning from six months of age stating that their benefits outweigh the risks in this age group…(Source: Medscape, June 15, 2022

A negative Covid-19 test no longer mandatory to enter the US

The CDC has revoked the mandatory requirement of a negative Covid-19 test just prior to traveling or a documentation stating recovery from Covid for international travelers. This will come into effect from June 12, 2022. However, the CDC still recommends travelers to test themselves for Covid nearer to their traveling date and desist from traveling if positive … (Source: CDC, June 10, 2022)

Dr Fauci becomes Covid-19-positive

Dr Anthony Fauci, MD, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) and also the chief medical advisor to the President of the United States, has tested positive for Covid-19 on a rapid antigen test. However, according to the NIH, Dr Fauci has mild symptoms. He is fully vaccinated and has taken two booster doses as well… (Source: NIH, June 15, 2022).

Protective efficacy of Covaxin against delta and omicron variants of concern

Results of preclinical study conducted on Syrian hamster model show that Covaxin booster dose enhanced the protective efficacy of the vaccine against delta variant and was also protective against the BA.1.1 and BA.2 subvariants of the Omicron. The viral load in the lungs diminished subsequent to the booster vaccination…(Source: bioRxiv, June 14, 2022)