Smokers up to 80% more likely to be hospitalized with Covid-19
(Linda Geddes/ The Guardian) — Smokers are 60%-80% more likely to be admitted to hospital with Covid-19 and also more likely to die from the disease, data suggests. A study, which pooled observational and genetic data on smoking and Covid-19 to strengthen the evidence base, contradicts research published at the start of the pandemic suggesting that […]
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Important message regarding VM-Med’s response to the current COVID-19 crisis
At VM-Med, the health and safety of our patients, our staff and our community are a top priority. That is why, in light of the current COVID-19 crisis, and in accordance with recommended safety guidelines, we are limiting the number of appointments at our clinic for an indefinite period. Previously Scheduled Non-Urgent Appointments: If you […]
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Covid antiviral pill halves hospitalisations and deaths, maker says
(Hannah Devlin/ The Guardian) — An antiviral pill was found to reduce hospitalisations and deaths by half in patients newly diagnosed with Covid-19, according to results announced on Friday. If approved, the drug made by the US firm Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics would be the first simple oral medication shown to be effective against Covid-19, […]
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Vaccine hesitancy: The scientific process needs to be better explained
(Marc-Antoine De La Vega/ The Conversation) — When I first wrote about the arrival of SARS-CoV-2 in early March 2020, the question was whether or not the new virus would become a pandemic. At the time, most experts believed that we had already reached the point of no return. Today, 18 months later, the answer is […]
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Immunocompromised Canadians should get COVID booster
(Stephanie Taylor/ Healthing) — A national advisory panel recommended Friday people who are immunocompromised should receive a third vaccine dose against COVID-19. It’s the latest piece of advice to come from the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI), which says people who are moderately to severely immunocompromised are shown to have a weaker response to […]
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Brazilian viper venom may become tool in fight against COVID
(Leonardo Benassatto/ Reuters) — Brazilian researchers have found that a molecule in the venom of a type of snake inhibited coronavirus reproduction in monkey cells, a possible first step toward a drug to combat the virus causing COVID-19. A study published in the scientific journal Molecules this month found that the molecule produced by the […]
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Vaccines are ‘massively reducing’ long COVID cases
(Dave Yasvinski/ The Healthing) — The chances of contracting a case of long COVID are cut in half for people who have been fully vaccinated, according to a new study that found the rate of hospitalization and the emergence of extreme symptoms become considerably less likely after inoculation. The study, conducted at King’s College London […]
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How the pandemic is fueling eating disorders in young people
(William A. Haseltine/ Forbes) — “I just needed more control” Anne, a college student from Massachusetts, took a deep breath as she recounted her experiences with disordered eating during the pandemic. Anne had been aware of her struggles with food for much of her life, but it wasn’t until the pandemic hit that she started […]
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Among the unvaccinated, delta variant more than doubles risk of hospitalization
(Melissa Healy/ The Seattle Times) — New research from England’s public health service has confirmed a suspicion spawned by bursting hospital wards across the United States: The delta variant of the coronavirus not only spreads 50% more readily than the alpha variant it rapidly overtook, it’s also making unvaccinated people sicker. Through most of April and […]
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CDC finds unvaccinated 11 times more likely to die of COVID-19
(Lauren Neergaard/ CTV News) — New U.S. studies released Friday show the COVID-19 vaccines remain highly effective against hospitalizations and death even as the extra-contagious Delta variant swept the country. One study tracked over 600,000 COVID-19 cases in 13 states from April through mid-July. As delta surged in early summer, those who were unvaccinated were 4.5 […]
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