Global COVID markers show few hot spots as XBB.1.16 overtakes XBB.1.5 CIDRAP

Some countries continue to report high COVID-19 burdens, reflected mainly in hospitalization and death data, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its latest weekly update. ..

US CDC OKs use of new Pfizer, GSK vaccines for RSV in older adults The director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday signed off on the use of new vaccines from Pfizer and GSK to prevent severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in older adults. Reuters Reuters

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Home delivery of alcohol expanded during pandemic, with permanent effects on health During the COVID-19 pandemic home liquor delivery soared in the United States, as did binge drinking along with it, a new study finds. Steven Reinberg

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"Although the number of states that allowed home delivery was already trending upwards during the last two decades, the COVID-19 pandemic dramatically increased these numbers."

Warming causes more extreme rain, not snow, over mountains. Scientists say that’s a problem A new study says climate change is turning major snowfalls into more extreme rain over mountains, somehow worsening both dangerous flooding like the type that devastated Pakistan last year and long-term water shortages. AP News

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It’s past time to address the problem of indoor air quality. A new technology can help Indoor air quality is a public health issue. Torie Bosch STAT

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Early studies from China in 2020 suggested people with certain blood types—specifically blood type A—might be at greater risk for getting infected—while those with type O may be protected against infection. Some small studies confirmed the connections, while others did not, leaving public health experts agnostic about how important blood type might be as a potential risk factor for COVID-19.