Jill Biden, the First Lady of the United States, has tested positive for Covid-19 and is currently experiencing mild symptoms, according to a statement from the White House on 4 September. The news comes as Covid-19 case counts continue to rise across the country, prompting concerns about the spread of the virus.
Moderna, a pharmaceutical company, announced on Wednesday that its updated boosters are expected to be effective against the BA.2.86 variant, also known as “Pirola”. This variant has caused alarm among public health authorities due to its high mutation rate and potential to trigger a surge in cases.
Experts are urging Americans to wear masks when necessary to slow the spread of the virus. The new variant, Pirola, has more than 30 mutations to its spike protein, which helps the virus enter and infect human cells. The significant number of mutations is a cause for concern, as similar shifts were observed during the transition from the Delta variant to the Omicron variant.
In other Covid-related news, US school systems are already experiencing disruptions due to the virus. A Maryland elementary school has mandated that students wear masks for 10 days after multiple students tested positive for Covid-19. The school principal stated that at least three students had tested positive as of Tuesday.
In Thailand, a six-month-old baby’s eyes reportedly changed from brown to blue after receiving an unauthorized Covid antiviral treatment. The baby had developed a cough and fever, which led to a positive Covid-19 test. The case has drawn attention to the use of the drug favipiravir in treating Covid-19 in young patients.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated data on Covid-19 hospitalizations in the US. The numbers indicate a 15.7% increase in hospital admissions from 20 August to 26 August compared to the previous week. The agency also reported a 17.6% rise in Covid-related deaths during the same week.
Additionally, Moderna announced that its updated Covid-19 vaccines have shown effectiveness against the Pirola variant in clinical trials. The company stated that the updated vaccine generates a strong immune response against the highly mutated variant.
As the Covid variant continues to spread in the US, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre held a press briefing to address the situation. The briefing occurred as Covid case counts continued to rise, and new data from the CDC showed increased hospitalizations.
In sports news, NFL star Aaron Rogers showed support for tennis player Novak Djokovic’s decision not to receive the Covid-19 vaccine. Rogers posted a picture of Djokovic during the US Open on Instagram, expressing his admiration for the athlete.
In New Jersey, updated Covid vaccines will soon be available. The state has launched a vaccine appointment finder website to help residents locate pharmacies offering vaccinations near their homes.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced that some at-home Covid tests have extended expiration dates. The FDA has provided a list of tests with extended expiration dates to ensure people do not use expired tests.
President Joe Biden will be wearing a mask in certain settings after being exposed to Covid-19 through the First Lady, who tested positive for the virus. Although President Biden tested negative twice, he will follow CDC guidance and wear a mask indoors and around people.
New data from the CDC shows a significant jump in Covid-related deaths last week. The death count rose by 17.6% compared to the previous week. While the numbers are lower than in previous years, experts are advising the public to take the current wave seriously and follow safety precautions.