Category: Corona Virus

The findings of a new study has shed light on COVID research which probably was not discovered before. After observing COVID-19 PCR tests from more than 4,900 people, researchers have found that people previously infected with COVID-19 had about a 50% lower chance of having a symptomatic coronavirus-caused common cold compared with people who were, at the time, fully vaccinated and hadn't yet gotten COVID. We think theres going to be a future outbreak of a coronavirus, said Dr. Manish Sagar, senior author of the study published Wednesday in the journal Science Translational Medicine. Vaccines potentially could be improved if we could replicate some of the immune responses that are provided by natural infection. Researchers linked the protection against coronavirus-caused colds to virus-killing cell responses for two specific viral proteins. These proteins arent used in most vaccines now, but researchers propose adding them in the future. Coronaviruses are thought to be responsible for about 1 in 5 coldsCoronaviruses are a group of viruses that can cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to severe respiratory diseases. Several types of coronaviruses, such as HCoV-229E, HCoV-NL63, HCoV-OC43, and HCoV-HKU1, are known to cause mild respiratory infections, including the common cold. Symptoms typically include a runny nose, cough, sore throat, and sometimes fever. These coronaviruses spread through respiratory droplets and close contact with infected individuals. While they generally cause mild symptoms, certain populations, like the elderly and those with weakened immune systems, may experience more severe illness. Preventative measures include good hygiene practices and avoiding close contact with infected individuals. How is a coronavirus-caused common cold different from rhinovirus common cold? Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that can cause illnesses ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases like MERS and SARS. Common cold coronaviruses include HCoV-229E, HCoV-NL63, HCoV-OC43, and HCoV-HKU1. Symptoms typically include a runny nose, sore throat, cough, and fever. These viruses can sometimes lead to more severe respiratory illnesses, especially in vulnerable populations like the elderly or those with weakened immune systems. Rhinoviruses are the most common cause of the common cold, responsible for up to 50% of cases. They primarily infect the nose and throat, causing symptoms such as a runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, and mild cough. Rhinovirus infections are generally mild and rarely lead to serious complications, though they can exacerbate asthma and other chronic respiratory conditions.

Coronaviruses can potentially cause more severe respiratory illnesses compared to rhinoviruses, particularly in vulnerable groups. Rhinovirus infections are more common in the fall and spring, whereas coronaviruses can be more prevalent in winter. Both are highly contagious, but coronaviruses can spread more easily in some cases, leading to larger outbreaks.

Read the rest here:

COVID infection can protect against common cold? Know what the new study found - The Times of India

The dread two red line COVID test results are showing up at rates we havent seen since January, as the new FLiRT variants and a surge in travel are creating another summer increase in COVID-19 cases.

A COVID-19 case surge again? We havent seen a surge since December and January, the cold-weather months, and one would figure that hey, people are doing things outside because its summer, so less transmission. But factor in that airport and airplane travel is back at record volumes, and heat waves will often drive people indoors, so public health experts predicted a summer surge because of the new FLiRT variants. And that appears to be happening, as the Chronicle reports on a new uptick in COVID-19 cases, in the Bay Area, across California, and nearly nationwide.

We should note this is pretty much a national COVID uptick. The CDC just declared that As of June 04, 2024, we estimate that COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in 30 states and territories, declining or likely declining in 1 state or territory, and are stable or uncertain in 18 states and territories.

But the Chronicle adds some alarming statistics that hit closer to home. COVID hospitalizations are up 29.4% in California as of the latest data collected June 1, and California is currently seeing a 5.3% positive test rate, which is a 1.4% increase over the previous week.

And as SFGate points out, wastewater surveillance indicates that the Bay Area is seeing the highest rates of increased COVID prevalence. That publication cites data from the California Department of Public Health showing that the Bay Area now has the most viral wastewater than anywhere else in California.

Though, for perspective, death rates are the most minuscule that they have been since COVID arrived on these shores. And remember, the new updated guidelines say you dont need to isolate anymore if you arent showing symptoms, though certainly a mask is recommended.

So how to navigate this new landscape? The best thing you can do is get the updated COVID vaccine, which very few people have done (currently 14% of Californians, so come on, people).

Staying up to date on vaccination is the best way to protect against severe COVID-19, the San Francisco DPH told SFGate. We encourage people to ask their healthcare provider or visit vaccines.gov to find a vaccine near them.

There will be another new vaccine thats expected to be released in the late summer or early fall, but it will target the now-less-prevalent JN.1 variant, which is indicative of how were always sort of a step behind this thing.

In the meanwhile, to protect yourself and others from being affected by the latest surge: mask in crowded spaces, improve ventilation, and be attentive to washing your hands. (Remember that old thing where we'd wash our hands as long as it took to sing Happy Birthday in our heads? Good times.)

Related: New COVID Variants Could Mean Possible Summer Surge [SFist]

Image: John Cameron via Unsplash

See the original post here:

Yet Another COVID Uptick Hitting California, and the Bay Area Is Seeing the Worst of It - SFist

Politics

By Josh Christenson

Published June 12, 2024

Updated June 12, 2024, 6:16 p.m. ET

Former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo repeated his infamous who cares? line during a grilling by a House committee Tuesday about his administrations decision to send infected COVID-19 patients into nursing homes resulting in thousands of deaths during the pandemic, according to a readout of his testimony released Wednesday by Republicans.

Republican majority staff from the House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic said Cuomo deflected responsibility throughout the seven-hour interview about his administrations devastating March 25, 2020, must admit order that shuttled sick patients into senior care facilities statewide.

A transcript of the testimony has yet to be released, and reps for Cuomo who were present for the interview have disputed some of the readouts claims.

During the closed-door session, the 66-year-old Cuomo blamed an unidentified staff member at the New York Health Department for drafting the directive, claimed it mirrored federal guidance, was not mandatory and dismissed the premise of the House probe as part of an ongoing political attack.

But Republicans on the panel pushed back and forced Cuomo to acknowledge the language of the state order differed from DCs guidance, House GOP conference chairwoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) and other members told reporters.

They [Cuomo and his then-staff] want to assert that that order is exactly the same as the federal [Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services guidelines], which it is not, upstate Rep. Marc Molinaro (R-NY) said on Tuesday during a break in the proceedings.

The state order says, You shall take back individuals and you cannot deny them solely on the basis of COVID, which left [nursing homes] no option but to accept individuals that we knew would cause risk to the other patients, he explained.

Molinaro also accused Cuomos administration of having cooked the books on the nursing home death count, which was later confirmed by two state investigations, once they knew that the order was causing great loss

When pressed to explain the discrepancy between the reported death count and the true mortality rate, Mr. Cuomo was shockingly callous testifying 6,500 versus 9,000who cares, what difference did it make?' the readout of the interview on Capitol Hill shows.

He seemed to feel very little remorse, select subcommittee chairman Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio) told The Post and other reporters after his interview with the ex-governor. Often [he] would be talking about a certain number of deaths in a certain place, and to him they were just numbers. They were just numbers.

It is mind-blowing to me that the governor, who was later to rescind or amend the directive that went out about putting COVID patients or untested patients back into nursing homes, Wenstrup added. He was the one who put the executive order out to amend it, but when it came to the directive itself, he had no idea where it came from and still does not. No responsibility.

I dont know where the buck stops, added Wenstrup, one of several doctors on the panel and a retired US Army colonel who received a Bronze Star for his work as a combat surgeon during the Iraq War.

A spokeswoman for the House subcommittee majority also told The Post that Cuomo used the phrases who cares and what is the difference numerous times.

Any dismissal of the heartbreak that families who lost loved ones to COVID-19 continue to experience is unacceptable and inconsistent with the values of compassion and empathy that Americans deserve from their public officials, subcommittee ranking member Raul Ruiz (D-Calif.) told The Post in a statement.

The point was, there was no discrepancy, as all categories were contained in the overall death number that was never in dispute, Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi said in a statement.

What the Republicans couldnt explain was why 1.2 million Americans died during this pandemic more than any other country and any other war under the lack of leadership from Trump and the Republicans that continues to this day as they put a podiatrist in charge of the COVID committee, he added in a direct attack against Wenstrup.

In a May 2023 hearing before the select subcommittee, Rep. Ami Bera (D-Calif.), a doctor and former chief medical officer for Sacramento County, called the New York directive medical malpractice.

Cuomos response was identical to the former governors reaction to a January 2021 report from New York Attorney General Letitia James, who revealed his administration had low-balled the number of nursing home deaths by more than 50% by excluding residents who later died in hospitals.

Health CommissionerHoward Zucker responded by releasing the full data, which shifted the COVID death count from 8,711 to 12,743 as of that month.

Who cares [if they] died in the hospital, died in a nursing home? Cuomo erupted in a Jan. 29 press conference the day after the report was released. They died.

Auditors confirmed the following year that Albanys Department of Health had misled the public by leaving out at least 4,100 nursing home deathsdue to COVID-19 and had conformed its presentation to the Executives narrative, meaning Cuomo.

If I knew then what I know now, I would have told my Department of Health, Dont listen to the federal government; they dont know what theyre talking about, the former governor told The Post and others at the end of his transcribed interview, declining to accept full responsibility while expressing some remorse for the outcome.

He also admitted that nursing homes were confused by the directive, according to the readout.

Voices for Seniors, a nonprofit for families who lost loved ones to COVID-19 in nursing homes, also blasted Cuomo in a statement.

WE CARE! the group said. Every time we stare at the empty chairs at our tables, we care. We care every time we want to hug our lost loved one and they arent by our side. We care every single day when our loved ones cant share in our joys or comfort us in our lows. We care because Cuomo failed to protect our senior citizens that trusted him.

There is no confusion that ordering a deadly virus into nursing homes caused the demise of thousands, they added. We look forward to Andrew Cuomo being brought to justice for the 15,000 innocent victims and us grieving families.

Wenstrup indicated it was very likely the former New York governor who may challenge Eric Adamsfor New York City mayor in 2025 will be back in Congress again this year for a public hearing.

Its not only just the people in New York that deserve this, because they do, he said, but I think the whole country does.

https://nypost.com/2024/06/12/us-news/andrew-cuomo-repeats-infamous-who-cares-line-on-nursing-home-covid-deaths-in-congressional-interview/?utm_source=url_sitebuttons&utm_medium=site%20buttons&utm_campaign=site%20buttons

Go here to read the rest:

Andrew Cuomo repeats infamous 'who cares?' on nursing home COVID deaths in congressional interview - New York Post

Hospitalisations for Covid-19 in France are still low, but have been rising for the past few weeks Pixavril/Shutterstock

Hospitalisations for Covid-19 in France are still at low levels, but they have been rising for the past few weeks, new official data shows.

In its most recent bulletin on June 11, Sant publique France (SPF) said that interventions for Covid-19 cases by at-home doctor service SOS Mdecins had been rising for the past eight weeks.

More than 1,500 interventions were reported for the week of June 3-10; a rise of 51% week-on-week. Visits to hospital emergency departments for Covid-19 also rose by 52%.

Covid-19 can no longer be ruled out in someone suffering from similar symptoms, Bruno Lina, professor of virology at Lyon University Hospital told BFMTV.

"This does not mean that we are once again facing a major epidemic, but [signs of Covid] are rising sharply. So if you have any signs of respiratory infection today, it could be due to the coronavirus, he said.

Read also: Covid 19 in France: Latest official figures and symptoms of new variant

In contrast, SPF said that signs of bronchiolitis and influenza virus were stable and not rising in almost all age groups, as were reports of gastroenteritis (down 10%) and chickenpox (down 23%).

The one exception - apart from Covid - was flu and flu-like illness in the under-15s, which had risen by 16% week-on-week. This is higher than in previous years, SPF said.

It comes after reports that large gatherings in recent weeks and months - including several Taylor Swift concerts held in Paris - could have acted as clusters of Covid and other illnesses, and spread more cases among young people than usual.

Read also: Next Covid vaccination campaign to begin in France

Ensuring that you are up-to-date with vaccinations, and employing barrier methods when in enclosed spaces and around vulnerable people (such as wearing a mask), are still the best ways to prevent infection.

Visit link:

Rising Covid-19 hospitalisations in France: Latest updates and preventive measures - The Connexion

A four-year-old child from West Bengal was diagnosed with bird flu in late January this year, was admitted to a hospitals intensive care unit for treatment twice for acute respiratory distress and was discharged finally in May, according to the World Health Organisation.

The child was first taken to a paediatrician with fever, abdominal pain and later seizures. The patient was admitted to the ICU of a local hospital due to persisting severe respiratory distress, recurrent high fever and abdominal cramps. The child was discharged from the hospital in February end but was re-admitted on

March 3 due to severe respiratory distress. A swab sample collected was sent to National Institute of Virology, and the virus was sub-typed to be H9N2. The child was finally discharged from the hospital with oxygen support on May 1.

The patient is likely to have contracted the disease from poultry at home and in the surrounding area.

One, with the virus circulating in poultry, WHO expects to see sporadic cases of the infection. In its risk assessment, the inter-governmental agency said: Most human cases of infection with H9N2 viruses are exposed through contact with infected poultry or contaminated environment Given the continued detection of the virus in poultry populations, sporadic human cases can be expected.

Human infection with H9N2 tends to be mild, but there have been some cases where hospitalisation was required like the one from West Bengal. There have been two deaths reported from across the world due to the infection. The WHO added that the current evidence suggests that the virus hasnt acquired the ability to transmit from human-to-human yet.

Two, a case of bird flu reported by Australia is thought to have been exposed to the virus in Kolkata in February this year. The strain of virus in both cases, however, are different H5N1 in the Australian case and H9N2 in the Indian case indicating different sources of infection.

There has been an increased focus on bird flu this year after three dairy farm workers from the US were reported to have been infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza A (H5N1).

There are two types of H5N1 low and highly pathogenic. While the low pathogenic type is usually seen in birds in the region and has in fact caused at least two outbreaks in birds in Kerala the highly pathogenic type is not commonly seen in birds, let alone animals, said Dr E Sreekumar, director of the Institute of Advanced Virology-Thiruvananthapuram.

Dr Sreekumar had said earlier that priority has to be to prevent infection spread. However, it is important to keep an eye on the pathogen for changes that can make it more transmissible.

The WHO has called for strengthened surveillance in both animal and human populations through investigation of every zoonotic infection and pandemic preparedness planning.

With most cases of bird flu being reported by people who handle poultry, it is important that animals and poultry are handled with care. People need to minimise contact with animals and poultry and areas contaminated with their faeces. Contact should be avoided with dead animals.

Those at high risk of severe disease such as children, older people, and pregnant women should avoid participating in slaughtering, collecting eggs, or preparation of these foods. And, everyone should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water as often as possible, especially before and after handling animals.

As for consuming poultry, eggs, and other animal products, cook at proper temperature and prevent cross-contamination between raw and cooked food.

See the article here:

First bird flu case in India this year, confirms WHO: Here's what you need to know - The Indian Express

Introduction to Long COVID

Long COVID, also known as Post-COVID Conditions (PCC), is an infection-associated chronic condition that can occur after SARS-CoV-2 infection, the virus that causes COVID-19, and is present for at least 3 months as a continuous, relapsing and remitting, or progressive disease state that affects one or more organ systems. The definition for Long COVID will continue to be evaluated as data are collected, analyzed, and reported and our understanding of the chronic condition improves. Most patients appear to recover from their initial acute COVID-19 illness within 4 weeks, even though many patients continue to recover between 4 and 12 weeks. Long COVID is associated with:

It can be difficult to distinguish symptoms caused by Long COVID from symptoms that occur for alternative reasons.

Long COVID is heterogeneous and may be attributed to different underlying pathophysiologic processes. Possible etiologies include:

Researchers are actively studying the prevalence, mechanism, duration, and severity of symptoms following acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, as well as risk factors associated with developing Long COVID. Research shows certain groups of people are more likely to develop Long COVID, including:

A wide range of symptoms and clinical findings can occur in people with varying degrees of illness from acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. These effects can overlap with multiorgan complications, or with effects of treatment or hospitalization and can persist after the acute COVID-19 illness has resolved. While more than 200 Long COVID symptoms have been identified, commonly reported symptoms include:

Some patients may feel embarrassed about their symptoms, have experienced stigma or experienced difficulty in being believed. It is important for healthcare providers to:

Different onset patterns for Long COVID have been identified, including symptoms and conditions that can:

Documenting SARS-CoV-2 infection and Long COVID, also referred to as Post-COVID Conditions, is critical for accurate public health surveillance.

U09.9 Post COVID-19 Condition, unspecified to establish a link with COVID-19; not to be used in cases that still are presenting with acute COVID-19. The code should be used for patients with a history of probable or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection and who are identified with a Post-COVID Condition.

Keep reading: Additional assign codes for specific conditions and symptoms can be found at2022 ICD-10-CM Guidelines.

Preventing severe outcomes of COVID-19 illness reduces peoples risk of developing Long COVID. These severe outcomes include hospitalization, admission to the intensive care unit, or intubation.

Healthcare providers can advise their patients on protecting themselves against severe COVID-19 by:

Clinicians may clinically evaluate and diagnose Long COVID based on patient history and findings from a physical examination, while others might require directed diagnostic testing. Currently, no laboratory test can be used to definitively diagnose Long COVID or to distinguish Long COVID from conditions with different etiologies.

For most patients, the goal of medical management of Long COVID is to optimize function and quality of life through established symptom management approaches, which may include:

Patients with Long COVID may experience some of the symptoms that occur in other disorders. These patients may benefit from symptom management approaches used to manage symptoms of:

Treatment of Long COVID should be tailored to a patients specific symptoms or conditions, includingFDA-approved or over-the-counter medications. Holistic support for the patient throughout their illness can also be beneficial. Healthcare providers play a significant role in supporting their patients and can further help patients with Long COVID by:

Original post:

Clinical Overview of Long COVID - CDC

Although Long COVID appears to be less common in children than in adults, children can develop Long COVID. Recognizing and identifying Long COVID symptoms can be difficult, especially for children. Young children may have even more trouble describing the symptoms or problems they are experiencing. The best way to prevent your child from developing Long COVID is to protect them from getting COVID-19.

If your child has Long COVID, it may impact their ability to attend school, complete schoolwork, or participate in other normal activities such as:

School administrators, counselors, teachers, and nurses can work with families and healthcare professionals to provide learning or other accommodations for children with Long COVID. Resources are available to you and your child.

Research shows adults are more likely than children to get Long COVID. Long COVID symptoms and conditions can affect adults ability to perform many of their normal daily activities and cause physical, emotional, and financial stress.

The unknown and long-term nature of Long COVID can worsen this stress. Taking steps to understand the patients unique experiences might make them feel less isolated.

Some estimates suggest that more than 1 million U.S. adults are out of work at any given time due to Long COVID. Additional impacts of Long COVID for adults in the workforce include:

Resources are available for employees and employers to better understand how Long COVID may affect them or their work.

View post:

Living with Long COVID - CDC

Overview

Long COVID is an infection-associated chronic condition that occurs after SARS-CoV-2 infection and is present for at least 3 months as a continuous, relapsing and remitting, or progressive disease state that affects one or more organ systems.Long COVID affects millions of people across the United States and increases healthcare needs. Health departments play a crucial role in surveillance, communication, and education to increase awareness, reduce stigma, and improve care.

CDC and its partners are conducting research on Long COVID in a variety of populations and settings and are actively working to:

Long COVID estimates vary due to different study criteria, symptoms investigated, patient populations, and timing of when symptoms are assessed. CDC collects and analyzes data through several public health surveys. In 2022, 6.9% of adultsand 1.3% of children(roughly 17 million and 1 million, respectively) in the United States ever reported experiencing Long COVID.(4-5)

While Long COVID can occur in anyone who gets a SARS-CoV-2 infection, some people or groups of people are at higher risk of developing Long COVID. These include women, people with underlying conditions, people who experienced more severe outcomes of COVID-19, and people of Hispanic ethnicity. (4,9,10) Approximately 1 in 4adults with Long COVID reported experiencing significant limitations in their daily activity.(6-8)

More than 200 Long COVID symptoms have been identified. However, fatigue, brain fog, and exhaustion (post-exertional malaise) are among the commonly reported symptoms of Long COVID. (11,12)

COVID-19 vaccination is the best available tool to reduce the risk of Long COVID. Research shows that COVID-19 vaccination prior to SARS-CoV-2 infection reduces the risk of developing Long COVID among both children and adults. (1-3)

Collaboration between federal agencies and public health partners is important to address the serious nature of Long COVID. CDC has identified key areas of support that clinicians and public health professionals need to empower their efforts to address Long COVID.(13)

Using a variety of data sources to better understand and estimate the:

Creating and increasing access to educational and communication resources to inform people about:

Supporting clinician efforts to effectively diagnose and manage Long COVID by:

CDC continues to collaborate with clinicians, public health partners, and other federal agencies to better understand and address the impacts of Long COVID. CDC supports these goals by:

CDCs research and data on Long COVID can be accessed through:

Prevalence data can be readily accessed from the National Center for Health Statistics rapid survey systems. Inclusion of data and analyses of Long COVID by race/ethnicity, age, sex, and other factors are a CDC priority.

Read the original post:

CDC Science and the public health approach to Long COVID - CDC

THURSDAY, June 13, 2024 (HealthDay News) -- For individuals with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, the risks for death and postacute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC) reduce over three years but persist, especially among hospitalized individuals, according to a study published online May 30 in Nature Medicine.

Miao Cai, Ph.D., from the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care System, and colleagues followed a cohort of 135,161 people with SARS-CoV-2 infection and 5,206,835 controls from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs who were followed for three years to estimate the risks for death and PASC.

The researchers found that the increased risk for death was no longer seen after the first year of infection among nonhospitalized individuals. The risk for incident PASC declined over three years, but in the third year, it still accounted for 9.6 disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) per 1,000 persons in year 3. The risk for death decreased among hospitalized individuals, but in the third year after infection, it remained significantly elevated (incidence rate ratio, 1.29). Over the three years, the risk for incident PASC decreased, but substantial residual risk persisted in the third year, resulting in 90.0 DALYs per 1,000 persons.

"That a mild SARS-CoV-2 infection can lead to new health problems three years down the road is a sobering finding," Ziyad Al-Aly, M.D., also from the Veterans Affairs St. Louis Health Care System, said in a statement. "The problem is even worse for people with severe SARS-CoV-2 infection. It is very concerning that the burden of disease among hospitalized individuals is astronomically higher."

Several authors disclosed ties to the pharmaceutical industry; one author reported ties to Guidepoint.

Abstract/Full Text

Go here to see the original:

Long-Term COVID-19 Risks: Death, Postacute Sequelae in Third Year - HealthDay

Bermudas Health Minister Kim Wilson, is appealing to Bermudians to continue taking precautions against the coronavirus (COVID-19) after health authorities recorded six deaths so far this year.

She said the virus has not gone away, we will probably always have cases in our community, and I urge everyone to continue taking precautions to avoid catching and spreading COVID-19.

The Ministry of Health confirmed that there have been 303 confirmed cases up to June 8 and that the six deaths have been classed as COVID-19-related, because fatalities had not yet undergone full certification, which includes the coding of death certificates by the Registry-General, followed by validation by the epidemiology and surveillance unit as well as the Trinidad-based Caribbean Public Health Agency.

Nonetheless, these deaths are reported as meeting the surveillance case definition, the ministry said in a statement, adding that it monitors trends based on reports from select healthcare providers and facilities, including the Bermuda Hospitals Board, and by tracking outbreaks in schools, long-term care facilities, and other identified locations.

While the ministry did not give specific figures, the health minister said residents should maintain good hygiene, social distancing, and respiratory etiquette.

Anyone with suspected symptoms of COVID-19 has been advised to take a home antigen test or consult with a healthcare provider. Positive cases should isolate for at least five days and close contacts should monitor their health and test accordingly.

A Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) spokeswoman said a long-term care unit at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and a unit at the Mid-Atlantic Wellness Institute were under quarantine, with visits on hold, after an unspecified number of patients tested positive for the illness.

Patients in these areas are being monitored and receiving appropriate care as needed. Some of our 1,800 staff members are also on leave due to COVID infections, the spokeswoman said, with the BHB adding we may feel like COVID is behind us, but it is important to remember that its still circulating in the community.

Respiratory infections like Covid and flu can be particularly dangerous for our vulnerable patients and residents, whose immune systems may already be compromised. Members of the public should postpone visiting their loved ones in hospital if they dont feel well.

Even if visitors feel well, we recommend they wear masks when in close contact with patients in case they are infectious but do not have symptoms. Our policy is that staff wear masks for all patient interactions to minimise any chance of infection between staff and patients, the spokeswoman added.

Read more from the original source:

Bermudians urged to guard against COVID-19 as cases increase | Loop Caribbean News - Loop News Caribbean