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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
COVID is back in a big way: Over 350 people are dying from the coronavirus in the U.S. each week, says CDC data
Despite available vaccines and treatments, COVID-19 continues to cause an average of 350 deaths weekly in the U.S., according to the CDC. Low vaccination rates, waning immunity, and delayed treatment contribute to these ongoing fatalities. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Are we using COVID treatments effectively? Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Who is most at risk now? FAQs COVID is still around, and it is still deadly for a lot of Americans. The CDC says that the virus is killing multitudes in the U.S. each week, even though there are vaccines and treatments say that a lack of vaccinations and missed treatment opportunities are two of the main reasons why these deaths keep month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that COVID killed an average of 350 people every week, as per a report by CDC data indicates that although the number of deaths is high, it is declining and is less than the weekly deaths observed in prior spring months as well as the peak of 25,974 deaths recorded the week ending Jan. 9, health experts told ABC News that while the United States has made significant progress in recent years, high-risk groups are still at risk from COVID-19."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 at Duke University Medical Center's infectious diseases division's pediatric department, spoke to ABC News.A few factors, according to the experts, could be contributing to the virus's continued death toll, including low vaccination rates, declining immunity, and a lack of treatment to CDC data, as of the week ending April 26, only 23 percent of adults aged 18 and older received the updated COVID-19 vaccine during the 2024–25 to the data, only 13% of children received the updated COVID vaccine during the same time COVID deaths are likely a result of insufficient vaccination uptake, according to Dr. Gregory Poland, a vaccine specialist and president and co-director of the Atria Research Institute, which focuses on disease prevention. Some recipients of the vaccine, however, might not be exhibiting a healthy immune response."Some individuals might have a genetic predisposition to react poorly to the vaccine. Poland told ABC News, "The more common issue is that people are immunocompromised and can't respond well."Poland added that the chance of contracting COVID-19 increases as immunity to the vaccine wanes over is currently advised that people 65 and older get two doses of the updated COVID vaccine, spaced six months medications, such as Paxlovid from Pfizer and molnupiravir from Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, are currently available for COVID-19 are administered twice daily for five days and must be initiated within five days of the onset of COVID symptoms. Within seven days of the onset of COVID symptoms, the intravenous drug remdesivir must be elderly and those in high-risk groups are still very vulnerable. Many people don't use vaccines and antivirals correctly, which means the virus is still to CDC data, the highest rate of COVID-19 deaths is currently 4.66 per 100,000 in people 75 years of age and people are not receiving updated vaccines, and some are delaying treatment, allowing the virus to spread more adults, particularly those over 75, and people with weakened immune systems are still the most vulnerable.
Time of India
24-05-2025
- Health
- Time of India
COVID is back in a big way: Over 350 people are dying from the coronavirus in the U.S. each week, says CDC data
COVID is still around, and it is still deadly for a lot of Americans. The CDC says that the virus is killing multitudes in the U.S. each week, even though there are vaccines and treatments available. Experts say that a lack of vaccinations and missed treatment opportunities are two of the main reasons why these deaths keep happening. Are people still dying from COVID? Last month, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that COVID killed an average of 350 people every week, as per a report by GMA. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Elegant New Scooters For Seniors In 2024: The Prices May Surprise You Mobility Scooter | Search Ads Learn More Undo The CDC data indicates that although the number of deaths is high, it is declining and is less than the weekly deaths observed in prior spring months as well as the peak of 25,974 deaths recorded the week ending Jan. 9, 2021. Public health experts told ABC News that while the United States has made significant progress in recent years, high-risk groups are still at risk from COVID-19. Live Events "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 at Duke University Medical Center's infectious diseases division's pediatric department, spoke to ABC News. A few factors, according to the experts, could be contributing to the virus's continued death toll, including low vaccination rates, declining immunity, and a lack of treatment access. Are we using COVID treatments effectively? According to CDC data, as of the week ending April 26, only 23 percent of adults aged 18 and older received the updated COVID-19 vaccine during the 2024–25 season. According to the data, only 13% of children received the updated COVID vaccine during the same time period. Weekly COVID deaths are likely a result of insufficient vaccination uptake, according to Dr. Gregory Poland, a vaccine specialist and president and co-director of the Atria Research Institute, which focuses on disease prevention. Some recipients of the vaccine, however, might not be exhibiting a healthy immune response. ALSO READ: Is China suppressing the spread of COVID variant NB.1.8.1? Virus is spreading - here's what Americans should do "Some individuals might have a genetic predisposition to react poorly to the vaccine. Poland told ABC News, "The more common issue is that people are immunocompromised and can't respond well." Poland added that the chance of contracting COVID-19 increases as immunity to the vaccine wanes over time. It is currently advised that people 65 and older get two doses of the updated COVID vaccine, spaced six months apart. Antiviral medications, such as Paxlovid from Pfizer and molnupiravir from Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, are currently available for COVID-19 patients. Both are administered twice daily for five days and must be initiated within five days of the onset of COVID symptoms. Within seven days of the onset of COVID symptoms, the intravenous drug remdesivir must be started. Who is most at risk now? The elderly and those in high-risk groups are still very vulnerable. Many people don't use vaccines and antivirals correctly, which means the virus is still deadly. According to CDC data, the highest rate of COVID-19 deaths is currently 4.66 per 100,000 in people 75 years of age and older. FAQs Why are COVID deaths still occurring? Many people are not receiving updated vaccines, and some are delaying treatment, allowing the virus to spread more dangerously. Who is most at risk right now? Older adults, particularly those over 75, and people with weakened immune systems are still the most vulnerable.
Hindustan Times
24-05-2025
- Health
- Hindustan Times
COVID horror: Over 300 people in US still dying from coronavirus every week, Here's why
The United States continues to see COVID-19 horror, with hundreds of deaths occurring every week. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), COVID killed an average of 350 people every week last month. According to CDC data, while the death toll is significant, it is declining and is less than the peak of 25,974 deaths that took place in the week ending January 9, 2021, as well as weekly deaths that occurred in prior spring months. The United States is in a far better condition than it was a few years ago, but COVID still poses an imminent danger to high-risk groups, public health experts told ABC News. Speaking to ABC News, Dr. Tony Moody, a professor at Duke University Medical Center's infectious diseases division's pediatric department, said: 'The fact that we're still seeing deaths just means it's still circulating, and people are still catching it.' Experts indicated that poor vaccination rates, declining immunity, and a lack of treatment availability are some of the reasons why individuals may still be dying from the illness. Also Read: Golf Course residents face 126% higher risk of Parkinson's disease; Here's why As of ending week of April 26, just 23 percent of adults aged 18 and older received the enhanced COVID-19 vaccine during the 2024–25 season, as per CDC data. According to the data, just 13% of kids received the upgraded COVID vaccine within the same time period. Weekly COVID deaths are likely a result of insufficient vaccination uptake, according to Dr. Gregory Poland, a vaccine specialist and president and co-director of the Atria Research Institute, reported ABC News. Some recipients of the vaccine, however, might not be exhibiting a healthy immunological response. Poland noted that the chance of contracting COVID-19 increases when immunity to the vaccine diminishes over time. For this reason, it is currently advised that people 65 and older have two doses of the upgraded COVID vaccination in the gap of six months. The COVID-19 death rate in the US is now highest among people 75 and older, with 4.66 fatalities per 100,000, according to CDC data.
Arab Times
24-05-2025
- Health
- Arab Times
More than 300 people still die of COVID every week in the US
NEW YORK, May 24: More than five years after COVID-19 first appeared in the United States, hundreds of people continue to die from the virus each week. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), last month saw an average of about 350 COVID-related deaths per week. While this number remains high, it is declining and is much lower than the peak of 25,974 weekly deaths recorded the week ending January 9, 2021, as well as the high death tolls seen in previous spring months, the CDC data shows. Public health experts told ABC News that although the U.S. is in a better situation than it was a few years ago, COVID still poses a threat, especially to high-risk populations. Dr. Tony Moody, a professor of pediatrics and infectious diseases at Duke University Medical Center, explained that ongoing deaths indicate the virus is still spreading and people continue to catch it. Experts cited several reasons why COVID deaths persist, including low vaccination rates, waning immunity, and insufficient access to treatments. During the 2024-25 season, only 23% of adults aged 18 and older had received the updated COVID-19 vaccine as of the week ending April 26, according to CDC data. Among children, just 13% were vaccinated with the updated shot during the same period. Dr. Gregory Poland, a vaccinologist and president of the Atria Research Institute, suggested that the low vaccine uptake contributes to the ongoing deaths. Additionally, some vaccinated individuals may not develop strong immunity. Poland noted, 'Some people may be genetically predisposed to respond poorly to vaccines. More commonly, immunocompromised individuals cannot mount an adequate immune response.' He added that vaccine immunity decreases over time, which raises the risk of infection. This is why the current guidance recommends two doses of the updated vaccine six months apart for those aged 65 and older. 'Another factor in COVID deaths is older age, where immune function declines — a process called immunosenescence,' Poland explained. 'In addition, older adults often have accumulated other health conditions that increase risk.' CDC data shows that people aged 75 and older currently face the highest COVID death rate, at 4.66 deaths per 100,000. Available COVID treatments include antiviral pills such as molnupiravir (from Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics) and Paxlovid (from Pfizer). Both must be started within five days of symptom onset and are taken twice daily for five days—molnupiravir as four pills each time and Paxlovid as three. There is also remdesivir, an intravenous drug that must be administered within seven days of symptom onset. Dr. Moody pointed out, 'I think we aren't fully utilizing the treatments available. Many patients who receive these medications experience significant benefits, and clinical trials support their effectiveness.' He added that some patients delay seeking medical care until symptoms worsen, or do not get tested for COVID at all, which means they miss out on timely treatment. 'There are definitely people who are infected but remain undiagnosed and untreated,' Moody said. He emphasized that regular testing isn't necessary for everyone, but high-risk individuals should test more frequently.
