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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FDA panel recommends move toward streamlined COVID vaccine approach CIDRAP

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) vaccine advisory group today (Thursday) recommended streamlining COVID-19 vaccine campaigns by offering just the newer bivalent (two-strain) versions of the vaccine for both primary and booster series.

The next worrisome coronavirus variant could come from China — will it get detected? Nature - Genomic surveillance is crucial for tracking the next ‘variant of concern’, but many countries are winding back their monitoring. Lewis, Dyani nature

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It remains crucial that variants be tracked, yet scientists question how quickly the next variant of concern will be detected as many countries wind down surveillance efforts.

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We are all playing Covid roulette. Without clean air, the next infection could permanently disable you | George Monbiot As rich people plough money into ventilation to protect themselves, those with long Covid are treated as an embarrassment, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot the Guardian

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Roche launches new test to detect fast spreading Omicron sub-variant Roche has launched a new PCR test to detect a fast-spreading sub-variant of the Omicron variant of Coronavirus, the Swiss drugmaker said on Thursday. Reuters Reuters

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