Masks, vaccines no longer required in California health care, high-risk settings The new California Department of Public Health guidelines state people can decide if they want to wear a mask in a health care setting. Yahoo News

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WHO tracking Omicron XBB.1.16 subvariant, rising cases in some countries CIDRAP

In its weekly update on the pandemic, the WHO said it added XBB.1.16 as the sixth variant under monitoring on Mar 22. It also said though global cases and deaths continue to decline, some countries—including India—are reporting recent spikes in cases.

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The role of police enforcement in public health emergencies The COVID-19 pandemic, which has lasted for nearly 3 years, has killed millions of people worldwide. Globally, during this public health emergency of international concern, the police have played an important role in maintaining social stability and preventing the crisis from further escalating during lockdowns.1 They also partnered with local centres for disease control and prevention (CDC) to track citizens’ information to prevent the virus from spreading and conducted crisis communication to keep people away from misinformation. The Lancet

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CDC to warn some travelers to watch for Marburg virus symptoms as it investigates outbreaks in Africa | CNN The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is sending personnel to Africa to help stop outbreaks of Marburg virus disease and is urging travelers to certain countries to take precautions. The CDC is also taking steps to keep infections from spreading to the United States. Brenda Goodman CNN

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The FDA may soon authorize a spring round of COVID-19 boosters for some people The Food and Drug Administration appears poised to make available the COVID-19 vaccines that target omicron as a second booster for people with weak immune systems and those ages 65 and older. NPR

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Marburg virus outbreaks highlight link between health and planet: Tedros The head of the UN World Health Organization (WHO) said on Wednesday that the agency was working to help contain Marburg virus disease outbreaks in Equatorial Guinea and Tanzania, advocating for more global action to implement a UN-led “One Health” approach. UN News

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“A ‘One Health’ approach will be essential for preventing viruses from spilling over from animals to humans,” he stated, adding “that’s how many outbreaks have started, including HIV, Marburg, Ebola, avian influenza, mpox, MERS and the SARS epidemic in 2003”.  

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What the end of the COVID-19 national emergency means The Senate passed a GOP-led resolution Wednesday night to end the COVID-19 national emergency, and President Biden has riled Democrats with his plans to sign it.  Experts say the end of the emergen… colinmeyn The Hill

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CDC warns of drug-resistant, deadly fungus: How is it spread? This fungus likely originated in a health care setting, explained Melissa Nolan, an assistant professor of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of South Carolina. growland The Hill

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Under pressure, biotech and pharma grapple with how to take action on climate As the health impacts of climate change become harder to ignore, biotech and pharma companies are facing increasing pressure to reduce their carbon emissions. Erica Goode STAT

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