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Hindustan Times
27-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
Why 350 Americans died from COVID in a week: Experts explain
Coronavirus is still claiming the lives of hundreds of Americans each week. According to official data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 350 Americans, mostly from high-risk groups, died from COVID-19 last week. Though this number is a significant drop from the peak of 25,974 reported in the week ending Jan 9, 2021, the concern remains. Health officials are also monitoring a newly identified subvariant, NB.1.8.1. "The fact that we're still seeing deaths just means it's still circulating, and people are still catching it," Dr. Tony Moody, a professor in the Department of Pediatrics in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Duke University Medical Center, told ABC News. Medical experts have suggested a pool of factors that could be blamed for this recent spike in cases and deaths that have been reported as a result of the disease. According to data released by the CDC, only 23% of adults aged 18 and older received the updated COVID-19 vaccine as of the week ending April 24 in the 2024-25 season. In addition, only 13% of children received the updated vaccine over the same period. This has led experts like Dr. Gregory Poland, a vaccinologist and president and co-director of the Atria Research Institute, to blame low intake of the vaccine as a prime cause of the spike in the number of COVID-related deaths being reported. Even after taking the vaccine shot, the immune system may fail to develop an appropriate response mechanism. This results in immunity gradually fading over time, increasing the chances of infection. Age may also be a contributing factor to developing a severe infection. As Dr Poland told ABC News, 'Another reason for death due to COVID is being elderly, being what we call immunosenescent, where you do not have the immunologic ability to respond the same way you did in your 30s and 40s. On top of it, if you do get infected by the time you're in your 70s, 80s, there is some … accumulating co-morbidity." Hence, those in the age bracket of 65 and above are advised to take two shots of the updated vaccine six months apart from each other. Another reason for the spike has been blamed on ill-timed treatment measures to counter the disease on patients' end. Doctors fear that many people may avoid seeking treatment until their symptoms become severe which prevents them from detecting the disease in its early stages. Antiviral pills, including molnupiravir from Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics and Paxlovid from Pfizer, are currently available at pharmacies to help provide suitable treatment for COVID-19. Doses of each of these medications can be started five days from when symptoms first surface. The intake demands four pills of Merck and five pills of Pfizer to be taken twice on a daily basis. Remedesvir is an intravenous medication that can be started seven days after symptoms appear. "I do think that we don't necessarily make use of the tools that we have on hand in the best way possible," Dr Moody told ABC News. 'I've certainly talked to people who have gotten medications when they got COVID and they made a huge difference. … The trials' data would definitely suggest that the drugs are effective.' People at high risk of catching the disease are advised to get themselves tested regularly to aid early detection and improvement of any existing infection. The surge in the NB.1.8.1 variant has reported several cases in Asia, Singapore, and Hong Kong ever since its discovery in China.
Economic Times
24-05-2025
- Health
- Economic Times
US sees COVID variant NB.1.8.1 surge: Why are more than 300 people in America still dying from pandemic every week?
A new COVID-19 subvariant, NB.1.8.1, is spreading globally, with a recent surge in infections in Asia and detection in the US. Despite progress, COVID-19 continues to cause approximately 350 deaths weekly in the US, particularly among high-risk groups. Low vaccination rates, waning immunity, and underutilization of antiviral treatments contribute to these ongoing fatalities. COVID Cases Surge in India: New subvariants, cities on alert | What you must know Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Why are people dying of Covid in US? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Factors causing Covid deaths in US A new COVID-19 subvariant, NB.1.8.1, is drawing global attention, particularly in the US. As a descendant of the Omicron sublineage JN.1, NB.1.8.1 has been associated with a recent spike in infections across Asia and has now been identified in the United officials are closely tracking its spread to assess its impact. First detected in China, NB.1.8.1 has quickly emerged as the dominant strain there, driving a sharp rise in case numbers. It has also been reported in Singapore and Hong Kong, with recent cases in the U.S. uncovered through airport surveillance significant progress in managing COVID-19, the virus continues to claim lives in the United States. As of May 2025, an average of approximately 350 people are dying from COVID-19 each week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).According to a report in ABC News, more than five years after the first cases of COVID-19 were detected in the United States, hundreds of people are still dying every week which shows concerning signs. Last month, an average of about 350 people died each week from COVID, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).While high, the number of deaths is decreasing and is lower than the peak of 25,974 deaths recorded the week ending Jan. 9, 2021, as well as weekly deaths seen in previous spring months, CDC data shows. Even though US is in a much better place than it was a few years ago, COVID is still a threat to high-risk groups, health experts told ABC News."The fact that we're still seeing deaths just means it's still circulating, and people are still catching it," Dr. Tony Moody, a professor in the department of pediatrics in the division of infectious diseases at Duke University Medical Center, told ABC experts said there are a few reasons why people might still be dying from the virus, including low vaccination uptake, waning immunity and not enough people accessing vaccine rates and waning impunity: During the 2024–2025 season, only 23% of adults aged 18 and older received the updated COVID-19 vaccine, with even lower uptake among children at 13% . Dr. Gregory Poland, a vaccinologist and president of the Atria Research Institute, notes that some individuals may not develop a strong immune response due to genetic factors or immunocompromised immunity from vaccines diminishes over time, increasing susceptibility to infection. This is particularly concerning for older adults, who may experience immunosenescence—a natural decline in immune function with age. The CDC reports that individuals aged 75 and older have the highest COVID-19 death rate, at 4.66 per 100,000 of effective treatment: Antiviral treatments like Paxlovid (Pfizer) and molnupiravir (Merck) are available and have been shown to reduce the severity of COVID-19 when administered promptly. However, these treatments must be initiated within five days of symptom onset to be effective. Dr. Tony Moody, a professor at Duke University Medical Center, emphasizes that many individuals are not accessing these treatments in time, which could prevent severe outcomes and the overall COVID-19 death rate has decreased from earlier peaks, the virus remains a significant threat, especially to high-risk populations. Improving vaccination rates and ensuring timely access to effective treatments are critical steps in reducing ongoing fatalities
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
US sees COVID variant NB.1.8.1 surge: Why are more than 300 people in America still dying from pandemic every week?
A new COVID-19 subvariant, NB.1.8.1, is drawing global attention, particularly in the US. As a descendant of the Omicron sublineage JN.1, NB.1.8.1 has been associated with a recent spike in infections across Asia and has now been identified in the United States. Health officials are closely tracking its spread to assess its impact. First detected in China, NB.1.8.1 has quickly emerged as the dominant strain there, driving a sharp rise in case numbers. It has also been reported in Singapore and Hong Kong, with recent cases in the U.S. uncovered through airport surveillance programs. Why are people dying of Covid in US? Despite significant progress in managing COVID-19, the virus continues to claim lives in the United States. As of May 2025, an average of approximately 350 people are dying from COVID-19 each week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).According to a report in ABC News, more than five years after the first cases of COVID-19 were detected in the United States, hundreds of people are still dying every week which shows concerning signs. Last month, an average of about 350 people died each week from COVID, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Semua yang Perlu Anda Ketahui Tentang Limfoma Limfoma Pelajari Undo While high, the number of deaths is decreasing and is lower than the peak of 25,974 deaths recorded the week ending Jan. 9, 2021, as well as weekly deaths seen in previous spring months, CDC data shows. Even though US is in a much better place than it was a few years ago, COVID is still a threat to high-risk groups, health experts told ABC News. "The fact that we're still seeing deaths just means it's still circulating, and people are still catching it," Dr. Tony Moody, a professor in the department of pediatrics in the division of infectious diseases at Duke University Medical Center, told ABC News. Live Events The experts said there are a few reasons why people might still be dying from the virus, including low vaccination uptake, waning immunity and not enough people accessing treatments. Factors causing Covid deaths in US Low vaccine rates and waning impunity: During the 2024–2025 season, only 23% of adults aged 18 and older received the updated COVID-19 vaccine, with even lower uptake among children at 13% . Dr. Gregory Poland, a vaccinologist and president of the Atria Research Institute, notes that some individuals may not develop a strong immune response due to genetic factors or immunocompromised conditions. Additionally, immunity from vaccines diminishes over time, increasing susceptibility to infection. This is particularly concerning for older adults, who may experience immunosenescence—a natural decline in immune function with age. The CDC reports that individuals aged 75 and older have the highest COVID-19 death rate, at 4.66 per 100,000 people. Underutilization of effective treatment: Antiviral treatments like Paxlovid (Pfizer) and molnupiravir (Merck) are available and have been shown to reduce the severity of COVID-19 when administered promptly. However, these treatments must be initiated within five days of symptom onset to be effective. Dr. Tony Moody, a professor at Duke University Medical Center, emphasizes that many individuals are not accessing these treatments in time, which could prevent severe outcomes and deaths. While the overall COVID-19 death rate has decreased from earlier peaks, the virus remains a significant threat, especially to high-risk populations. Improving vaccination rates and ensuring timely access to effective treatments are critical steps in reducing ongoing fatalities
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Measles cases jump to 46 in eight southwest counties as new Kansas law restricts health officials
Gregory Poland, director of the Mayo Vaccine Research Group, spoke recently at a University of Kansas Health System panel, addressing concerns about the measles outbreak. (Kansas Reflector screen capture from KU Health video) TOPEKA — New legislation may make it more difficult for public health officials to manage a measles outbreak, which has increased by nine cases. Measles cases in Kansas jumped from 37 to 46 over the past week, with all cases located in southwest counties, according to Kansas Department of Health and Environment data released Wednesday morning. KDHE spokeswoman Jill Bronaugh said the state agency is working with local health departments to communicate about measles and to educate the public. But the Legislature's passage of Senate Bill 29 may complicate the ability of local health officials to react to the increasing number of measles cases. This bill removed the ability of local health officials to ban public gatherings during infectious disease outbreaks and added the expectation that health officials show probable cause if they quarantine or isolate individuals during an outbreak. The bill says those who are quarantined can file a civil lawsuit that must be heard within 72 hours if they believe the decision was unjust. Gov. Laura Kelly vetoed the bill, but the Republican-led Legislature overturned her veto. 'Taking away the authority of public health officials to prohibit public gatherings and issue quarantines, when necessary, contradicts effective, evidence-based health intervention advice, but we will do all we can to protect the health of the communities we are entrusted to serve,' Bronaugh said. Sen. Bill Clifford, a Republican ophthalmologist from Garden City, expressed concern during hearings that not all cases of measles are being reported. 'This weekend I spoke to several pediatricians. In an affected family, one member is going in,' he said, speaking at a time when there were 31 reported measles cases. 'In fact, they won't allow them in the pediatric clinic. We have well babies there and we don't want to infect them. That one family member is the signal case of what's going on in the family, and the families are not coming in.' KDHE updated its measles dashboard Wednesday morning to highlight the number of cases and the affected counties: Finney, Ford, Grant, Gray, Haskell, Kiowa, Morton and Stevens. In addition, it shows vaccination data, which indicates that 39 people with measles were unvaccinated, one did not have age-appropriate vaccinations, three did not have verified vaccination status and three were age-appropriately vaccinated. One person has been hospitalized. Dana Hawkinson, medical director of infection prevention and control at the University of Kansas Health System, said fully vaccinated people can get the disease, but typically have fewer complications and overall less severity of illness. With one dose of the vaccine, people have 93% protection from measles, and after two doses, 97% protection, he said. Measles was considered eliminated in 2000 but has since popped up throughout the United States, typically in unvaccinated communities. Gregory Poland, director of the Mayo Vaccine Research Group, joined a panel of University of Kansas Health System experts to talk about how we got to where we are today and to address vaccine skepticism. Poland explained what it means to eliminate a disease. 'You need a robust surveillance system. You need to know are you seeing cases, and are they measles,' he said. 'Then what you have to have is documentation of interruption of indigenous transmission for at least 12 months. We are very likely going to lose that, and that is a real shame because achieving that in 2000 was a monumental public health achievement.' Indigenous transmission refers to the spread of a disease within a population and is not coming from contact that began with someone outside the community, such as during a trip abroad. Poland said the vaccine that has been available since 1968 is 'well documented to be protective and to have minimal side effects.' 'It always bothers me when people say, 'Well, isn't natural immunity better.' Before there was a measles vaccine in the U.S., essentially every child got it, so three to four million people a year. Forty-eight thousand of those kids ended up sick enough that they were hospitalized, 1,000 of them developed encephalitis, and 500 of them on average each year died. That's what natural immunity gets you,' Poland said. Side effects of the vaccine are a few cases of low platelets, transient fever and possibly a rash, he said. No known deaths related to the MMR vaccine given to healthy people have been reported, according to the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Rare cases of deaths from vaccine side effects among children are connected to those who are immune compromised, and it is recommended they not get the vaccine. Unfortunately, Hawkinson said, times have changed in terms of how much people listen to medical professionals and how they assess scientific research. Right now is different than in 2019, when the most recent measles outbreak occurred. 'There are major points and reasons why this is much different,' he said. 'I think it is in the context of extreme disinformation and misinformation and mistrust of medicine and public health. Mistrust of science. We have to get back to knowing and understanding what is true, but it is just so difficult out there.' Hawkinson pointed to an overall decreased willingness to listen to and adhere to medical guidance and recommendations. 'We don't do that when we listen to our plumbers, our mechanics, our lawyers,' he said. And, he said, overall vaccination rates have declined. 'Many areas locally here in Kansas and Missouri are down to 90% (of people vaccinated),' he said. 'You will only see more patients developing this disease and, unfortunately, the complications that come along with it.'
