Under-funded WHO seeks 'reinforced' role in global health at key meeting The World Health Organization will push at its board meeting this week for an expanded role in tackling the next global health emergency after COVID-19, but is still seeking answers on how to fund it, according to health policy experts. Jennifer Rigby,Emma Farge Reuters

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Pregnant women and new mothers died in sharply increasing numbers during the pandemic, and not just because of a rise in medical complications that may accompany pregnancy and childbirth. An even greater toll was exacted by other causes, like drug overdoses, homicides and car accidents, according to a study published on Friday.

“It is really heartbreaking to see,” said Jeffrey T. Howard, an associate professor of public health at the University of Texas at San Antonio and lead author of the paper, which was published in JAMA Network Open.

Rate of Americans reporting long-COVID symptoms declining CIDRAP

The share of Americans reporting symptoms of long COVID appears to be declining, according to a new report from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF), and a second study reports that vaccination may contribute to lower levels of long COVID.

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Kids fight off COVID-19 quickly but don't develop adaptive immunity - UPI.com Children's amped-up immune systems allow them to beat back COVID-19 easily, producing a strong initial response that quickly slaps away the virus. But there might be a price to be paid for that sharp reaction. UPI

Because the initial response provides such a swift takedown, kids' immune systems don't remember the virus and don't adapt to be prepared for future infections, according to scientists with the Garvan Institute of Medical Research in Sydney.

All countries 'dangerously unprepared' for future pandemics, says IFRC The world is "dangerously unprepared" for future pandemics, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) say in a report published on Monday, calling on countries to update their preparedness plans by year-end. Reuters Reuters

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WHO says Covid-19 remains a global health emergency, but pandemic is at a 'transition point' | CNN Covid-19 remains a global health emergency, the World Health Organization said on Monday, but it acknowledged the pandemic is at a "transition point." Katherine Dillinger CNN

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WHO’s International Health Regulations Emergency Committee discussed the pandemic on Friday at its 14th meeting on Covid-19, and Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus concurred that the public health emergency of international concern, or PHEIC, declaration should continue. ...

Omicron sub-variant XBB.1.5 accounts for 61.3% of U.S. COVID cases - CDC The Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 has likely become the dominant variant in the United States, accounting for 61.3% of COVID cases in the week ended Jan. 28, data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention showed on Friday. Reuters Reuters

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The subvariant accounted for 49.5% of cases in the week ended Jan. 21, estimates from CDC showed.

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California law aiming to curb COVID misinformation blocked by judge A U.S. judge has blocked a California law that sought to penalize doctors who spread "misinformation or disinformation" about COVID-19 while he considers a pair lawsuits challenging it on free speech grounds. Brendan Pierson Reuters

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White House focusing on vaccine access for vulnerable The White House is making it a priority to ensure vulnerable populations have access to needed vaccines, a top administration health official said. Chiquita Brooks-LaSure, administrator of the Cent… nweixel The Hill

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CDC urges people with weak immune systems to take extra precautions after Covid subvariants knock out Evusheld Evusheld was a key antibody treatment taken by people with weak immune systems as an added layer of protection. Spencer Kimball CNBC

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These precautions include wearing a high quality mask and social distancing when it’s not possible to avoid crowded indoor spaces, according to the CDC.

Florida doctors worried DeSantis gives ‘fringe’ dermatologist a platform DeSantis is using his opposition to Covid-19 restrictions and advocacy of medical “free speech” as a central pillar of his messaging strategy, and the issue is likely to play into a possible 2024 presidential run. POLITICO

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Record number of deaths in US from cardiovascular disease early in pandemic: Report shows New data from the American Heart Association highlights the major impact COVID-19 had on cardiovascular health and death rates during the first year of the pandemic. ABC News ABC News

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