New global action pledge to end TB by 2030 Applause rang out in one of the main conference rooms at UN headquarters on Friday as world leaders, civil society representatives and other stakeholders approved a declaration to advance efforts to end tuberculosis (TB) by 2030. UN News

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The document lays out ambitious new targets for the next five years that include reaching 90 per cent of people with TB prevention and care services, providing social benefit packages to those who have the disease, and licensing at least one new vaccine.

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Mosquito populations surge in parts of California after tropical storms and triple-digit heat Winter storms, summer heat and tropical storm Hilary have bred a surge of mosquitoes in some parts of California. Officials now warn caution. Yahoo News

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The Culex mosquitoes carry the virus and are found across California, according to the state's public health department. In June, officials confirmed three dead birds were infected with West Nile in Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, and Ventura.

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Anti-vaxxers are now a modern political force The once-fringe movement is now seeing an influx in cash after the Covid pandemic. POLITICO

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As Covid-19 hospitalizations climb, rates among seniors and children raise concern | CNN Covid-19 hospitalizations have been on the rise in the United States for months, with weekly admissions now more than triple what they were two months ago. Seniors have the highest rates of Covid hospitalizations by far, but hospitalizations among children — especially among those younger than 5 — are rising fast. Jamie Gumbrecht, Deidre McPhillips, Betsy Klein CNN

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Main US COVID markers continue slow rise However, two early indicators--emergency department visits and test positivity--declined compared to a week ago. CIDRAP

US COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths continued their slow rise over the past week, but two early indicators showed declines, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said in its latest data update.

Both Paxlovid, molnupiravir lower COVID Omicron deaths, hospitalizations, studies conclude AsiaVision / iStock CIDRAP

Two new studies describe the benefits of the antiviral drugs nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid) and molnupiravir in reducing SARS-CoV-2 Omicron hospitalizations and death, with one finding that the former is more effective than the latter at lowering death rates.

COVID concerns tick up in new Gallup poll Three in 10 Americans believe the COVID-19 pandemic is worsening, while more than 1 in 4 worry about being infected, according to a new Gallup poll. The new poll, published Thursday, found that 30 … ooshin The Hill

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The new poll, published Thursday, found that 30 percent of respondents said the ongoing pandemic is worsening, while 41 percent think it’s getting better and 30 percent said it has stayed the same...

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Half a million children and families regain Medicaid coverage | CNN Politics Some 500,000 children and families have had their Medicaid coverage reinstated after many states improperly terminated their enrollment because of a systems issue, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said Thursday. Tami Luhby CNN

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US makes 30 states pause Medicaid disenrollments after glitch The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Thursday said 30 states must pause disenrollments from their Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) programs and reinstate coverage for people who lost it due to a glitch uncovered in August. Reuters Reuters

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White House launches American Climate Corps The move comes as Democratic lawmakers and activists call on President Joe Biden to take bigger steps to fight climate change. NBC News

The White House on Wednesday announced the launch of the American Climate Corps, which the administration said will mobilize more than 20,000 Americans in the clean energy and climate resilience sectors.

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