Scientists rapidly identified the Omicron variant. But firm answers about its impact could take weeks
The emergence of the Omicron variant of the coronavirus, with a suite of mutations that suggests it might be extra transmissible and be able to evade at least some immune protection, has the world eager for answers about what it means for the Covid-19 pandemic. But so much remains unknown largely because the variant appears to have been detected and publicized so quickly.
Getting exposed to another coronavirus can help you fight COVID-19, study says
Getting sick from a harmless coronavirus may protect you from COVID-19, researchers at the University of Zurich recently found.
A team of researchers found that antibody responses from previous coronavirus infections can help create immunity to COVID-19.
New Reconstruction Points to Animal Origins for Covid-19
A scientist known for investigating viral origins has reconstructed the first known weeks of the Covid-19 pandemic, adding to a growing body of evidence that the virus behind it jumped from infected animals to humans rather than emerging from laboratory research.
In a paper published Thursday in the academic journal Science, Michael Worobey concludes a wholesale seafood market in Wuhan, China, where live mammals were sold is very likely to be the site of the origin of the pandemic.
First Known Covid Case Was Vendor at Wuhan Market, Scientist Claims
A scientist who has pored over public accounts of early Covid-19 cases in China reported on Thursday that an influential World Health Organization inquiry had likely gotten the early chronology of the pandemic wrong. The new analysis suggests that the first known patient sickened with the coronavirus was a vendor in a large Wuhan animal market, not an accountant who lived many miles from it.
COVID-19’s first known case was a vendor from Wuhan wet market, Arizona scientist says, disputing WHO report
An Arizona-based scientist believes the first known case of COVID-19 was from a vendor at a Wuhan wet market and not an accountant who reported symptoms much later and lived miles away from the market.
The study by Dr. Michael Worobey, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Arizona, was published Thursday in the journal Science. The new study comes amid swirling questions regarding the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic, a topic that has bitterly divided the country for months.
Jobs vs. jabs: Federal court upholds stay on Biden’s ‘sledgehammer’ vaccine mandate
A federal appeals court late Friday upheld its stay of the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for larger businesses, saying it leaves workers with a choice between “their jobs and their jabs.”
The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals put the Occupational Safety and Hazards Administration rule requiring employers with 100 or more employees to ensure their workers are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or tests negative for the coronavirus at least once a week on hold pending a decision on a permanent injunction.
U.S. appeals court affirms hold on Biden COVID-19 vaccine mandate
A U.S. appeals court on Friday affirmed its decision to put on hold an order by President Joe Biden for companies with 100 workers or more to require COVID-19 vaccines, rejecting a challenge by his administration.
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans upheld the ruling despite the Biden administration saying on Monday that halting implementation of the rule could lead to the deaths of dozens or even hundreds of workers.
The government has been sued by private employers, religious organizations and U.S. states saying it was exceeding its authority.
Federal appeals court halts Biden administration’s vaccine requirement, delivering policy a major blow
A federal appeals court in New Orleans has halted the Biden administration’s vaccine or testing requirement for private businesses, delivering another political setback to one of the White House’s signature public health policies.
Regulator Reviewing Reports of ‘Rare’ and Serious Condition Linked to Moderna Vaccine
Europe’s drug regulator on Thursday confirmed it is investigating reports of a blood condition in recipients of Moderna’s mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
According to a bulletin posted by the European Medicines Agency (EMA), it is reviewing six cases of capillary leak syndrome, considered a “very rare disorder,” after they were reported in the EMA’s EudraVigilance database.