Pandemic News and Research

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A pandemic is a global disease outbreak. During a pandemic, transmission can be anticipated in the workplace, not only from patient to workers in health care settings, but also among co-workers in general work settings. A pandemic would cause high levels of illness, death, social disruption, and economic loss. Everyday life would be disrupted because so many people in so many places become seriously ill at the same time. Impacts could range from school and business closings to the interruption of basic services such as public transportation and food delivery.

Government launches a wide-ranging consultation to change UK’s data landscape

The Information Commissioner's Office is set for an overhaul to drive greater innovation and growth in the UK's data sector and better protect the public from major data threats, under planned reforms announced by the Digital Secretary Oliver Dowden today.

9 Sep 2021

KHN’s ‘What the Health?’: The future of public health

The covid-19 pandemic has shone a spotlight on public health, a key part of the health care system that usually operates in the background.

9 Sep 2021

Discovery about cellular 'batteries' could open the door to better treatments for many diseases

A top exercise researcher at the University of Virginia School of Medicine has revealed how our bodies ensure the proper functioning of the powerhouses of our cells.

9 Sep 2021

Report highlights the health effects of COVID-19 on Australians during 2020 and early 2021

A new report into the health effects of COVID-19 on Australians during 2020 and early 2021 includes analyses of the years of healthy life lost, international comparisons and impacts on population groups, mental health and the health system.

9 Sep 2021

Are bat retroviruses a threat to humans?

Zoonotic viruses that bats transmit are capable of infecting humans and have caused devastating infections throughout the world.

9 Sep 2021

Early impact of COVID-19 vaccines in Stockholm, Sweden

A study shows that the early programmatic effects of vaccinating high-risk individuals can reduce infection and mortality by SARS-CoV-2.

9 Sep 2021

Healthy plant-based foods may lower COVID-19 risk and severity

Although metabolic conditions such as obesity and type 2 diabetes have been linked to an increased risk of COVID-19, as well as an increased risk of experiencing serious symptoms once infected, the impact of diet on these risks is unknown.

9 Sep 2021

Stimulus program increased low-income population’s spending, study reveals

The coronavirus pandemic disrupted the U.S. economy, yet the dynamics of micro-level consumer spending among low-income populations are not well understood.

9 Sep 2021

Understanding the changing coronavirus landscape

With the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants such as beta and delta, people are not only getting a refresher course on the Greek alphabet but also experiencing confusion and anxiety about what the variants mean for public health.

9 Sep 2021

Research probes interaction between SARS-CoV-2 and influenza

Researchers from Germany and France tried to determine if epidemiological studies based on co-detection prevalence data can offer a reliable estimation of interactions among respiratory viruses. They designed a simulation study by building on a general epidemiological model of co-circulation of 2 respiratory viruses that cause seasonal epidemics.

8 Sep 2021

Combating the fourth wave of COVID-19 in Ontario

Researchers from Canada recently attempted to project the number of COVID-19 cases and the demand for acute hospital resources for Fall 2021 in a mid-sized southwestern Ontario community. They sought to evaluate if current vaccine coverage and contact reduction levels are sufficient to mitigate a possible 4th wave driven by the Delta variant, or if stricter public health measures need to be reinstituted.

8 Sep 2021

Mu SARS-CoV-2 variant highly resistant to neutralization by convalescent and vaccinated sera

Researchers in Japan have warned that the Mu (B.1.621) variant of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) – the agent that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) – appears to be highly resistant to neutralization by sera from convalescent or vaccinated individuals.

8 Sep 2021