Below is a summary of current health news briefs.
COVID cases surge in China, record daily numbers in Beijing and other cities
China reported 14,878 new COVID-19 infections on Nov. 12, including a record number of new daily cases in the capital Beijing, as well as manufacturing hubs Guangzhou and Zhengzhou. The new cases come as industrial activity in Guangzhou and Zhengzhou has been disrupted by restrictions aimed at controlling outbreaks.
US public health emergency COVID to stay in place
The United States will maintain a public health state of emergency from the COVID-19 pandemic, allowing millions of Americans to continue to receive free tests, vaccines and treatment, two Biden administration officials said Friday. The possibility of a winter surge in COVID cases and the need for more time to move from the public health emergency to a private market were two factors that contributed to the decision not to end the state of emergency in January, said one of the functionaries.
German health minister warns of winter COVID wave as states plan relaxation
Germany is headed for a spike in COVID-19 cases this winter, Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said on Friday, criticizing plans by four states to relax isolation rules for infected people. Fearing that the number of infections could rise, Lauterbach said: “Then we would have an even stronger wave than we already fear and we are on the eve of a more infectious variant.”
Israel detects cholera in northern reservoir
Israel detected cholera in a reservoir in the country’s north, likely as a result of an outbreak spreading in neighboring Syria, the Health Ministry said on Friday. The detection of the bacteria does not pose a danger to the public at this time, the ministry spokesman said, adding that authorities have taken measures to “protect Israel’s water sources” and regularly monitor possible water contamination, particularly in the north.
COVID BQ.1/BQ.1.1 Variants Account for 44% of US Cases – CDC
The US national public health agency said Friday that Omicron’s BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 subvariants are estimated to account for about 44.2% of COVID-19 cases in the country during the week that ended on November 12, compared to 32.6% in the previous week. week. The two variants, which are closely related to Omicron’s BA.5 subvariant that generated COVID-19 cases in the United States earlier this year, accounted for less than 10% of total cases in the country last month, but have now surpassed those of Omicron. BA.5, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
China says it will continue fine-tuning anti-COVID measures
China will continue to fine-tune its steps to control COVID-19 as it tries to minimize infections and severe cases, officials said on Saturday, a day after surprise announcements to lessen the impact of a strict zero-COVID policy. Authorities announced the measures, encouraged by financial markets, despite a spike in infections to their highest level since late April, according to data released on Saturday, with outbreaks in key cities including Beijing, Guangzhou and Chongqing.
US Judge Rejects Biden Administration’s LGBT Health Protections
A federal judge in Texas ruled Friday that the administration of President Joe Biden had misconstrued an Obamacare provision that prohibited health care providers from discriminating against gay and transgender people. U.S. District Judge Matthew Kacsmaryk in Amarillo ruled that a landmark 2020 U.S. Supreme Court decision holding that a law prohibiting workplace discrimination protects gay and transgender employees it does not apply to health care law.
US FDA approves AstraZeneca’s lung cancer drugs
Drugmaker AstraZeneca said on Friday that its lung cancer drugs Imfinzi and Imjudo have been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) when used in conjunction with chemotherapy to treat adults with lung cancer. stage IV non-small cell lung.
Australia seeks to reassure citizens about COVID after cruise ship outbreak
On Saturday, Australia’s Home Secretary sought to reassure the public that COVID-19 protocols were adequate after a cruise ship carrying hundreds of infected passengers docked in Sydney. Carnival Australia’s Majestic Princess cruise ship docked in Sydney, the capital of the most populous state New South Wales, with 800 passengers on board “in the vicinity” who have tested positive for the virus, the company said.
(With contributions from agencies).