This Week In COVID

This week we hit a COVID-19 milestone in the U.S. . Here is where we are currently: 

1 Million Deaths from COVID-19 since the SARS-CoV-2 virus was detected in the U.S. 

Cases

• Cases in the U.S. are on the rise. The bulk of the rise is in the Northeast U.S. where many counties are listed as having “High” community transmission levels by the CDC.

• The high community transmission levels are primarily based on an increase in cases and hospitalizations. However, total hospital bed utilization due to COVID-19 remains low in these areas. More details for your county on the CDC website. 
• Indoor masking is once again being recommended in NYC. 
• Globally, the WHO tracker shows an increase in cases in the Americas, Western Pacific, and African regions. 

Vaccinations

• On Tuesday, the FDA authorized the use of a single booster dose for children age 5-11 at least five months after completion of a primary series with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine.
• The CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) meets today to review the data and make a recommendation on boosters for the 5-11 age group.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) issued an emergency use listing (EUL) for CONVIDECIA, a vaccine manufactured by CanSino Biologics, China. This is the 11th vaccine receiving authorization by the WHO. View the list here.

Treatment

• All available treatments can be found locally by using the U.S. locator map.
• The FDA added Paxlovid renal dosing in April. The renal dosing packs are separately packaged and stocked only by certain pharmacies. Use the locator map to find then in your area. 
  • 300 mg nirmatrelivir + 100 mg ritonavir q12hr x 5 days (standard)
  • eGFR ≥30 to <60 mL/min 150 mg nirmatrelivir + 100 mg ritonavir q12hr x 5 days
  • eGFR <30 mL/min, not recommended
• There is only one authorized monoclonal antibody therapy available for treatment in the U.S., Bebtelovimab. All others were suspended for lack of efficacy against Omicorn. 
• There is one monoclonal antibody combination authorized for prophylaxis in the U.S. , Evusheld.  
• A rapid reference for COVID-19 therapeutics is available here. 

Testing

• The U.S. government has authorized a third round of free rapid, “at home” COVID-19 test kits. They can be ordered here. 

Be safe,

Sam