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Is the flu poised to make a big comeback? Experts say the potential is there
Read full article: Is the flu poised to make a big comeback? Experts say the potential is thereAfter two years of influenza cases being kept largely at bay by the pandemic precautions, experts say several signs suggest we wonโt be as lucky this year.
COVID cases falling in US, but experts keeping close eye on new variant in Denmark
Read full article: COVID cases falling in US, but experts keeping close eye on new variant in DenmarkNew COVID-19 cases continue to fall in the United States, and more states and communities are rolling back precautions. But experts are carefully monitoring a variant of omicron known as BA.2.
Michigan health officials concerned about omicron COVID variant: Hereโs the latest
Read full article: Michigan health officials concerned about omicron COVID variant: Hereโs the latestDoctors and nurses fear the new omicron variant of the coronavirus could make things even worse at Michiganโs hospitals.
Understanding the omicron variant: How it impacts the COVID pandemic
Read full article: Understanding the omicron variant: How it impacts the COVID pandemicThere is global concern about what impact the omicron variant could have on the COVID pandemic. Experts agree that itโs only a matter of time until omicron is detected in the United States.
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Live stream: FDA advisory panel meets over Moderna, Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine booster shots
Read full article: Live stream: FDA advisory panel meets over Moderna, Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine booster shotsThe Food and Drug Administrationโs (FDA) vaccine advisory panel is set to meet Thursday and Friday, Oct. 14-15, over Moderna and Johnson & Johnson booster shots.
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Health experts believe this yearโs flu season could be severe
Read full article: Health experts believe this yearโs flu season could be severeBecause of restrictions put in place to protect people from coronavirus, last yearโs flu season never arrived. However, there is growing concern that this yearโs flu season could be severe.
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Flashpoint recap: A discussion on reaching herd immunity from COVID-19 in Michigan as cases rise and variants spread
Read full article: Flashpoint recap: A discussion on reaching herd immunity from COVID-19 in Michigan as cases rise and variants spreadWatch Flashpoint every Sunday at 10 a.m. on Local 4 News.
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University of Michigan infectious disease experts to host virtual discussion on COVID-19 vaccines
Read full article: University of Michigan infectious disease experts to host virtual discussion on COVID-19 vaccinesANN ARBOR โ Now that the vaccination effort against COVID-19 is ramping up, what will the weeks and months ahead look like? This is what infectious disease experts from the University of Michigan School of Public Health and Michigan Medicine will be discussing on a virtual panel on COVID-19 vaccines on April 8 from 9:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. The event is free and open to the public, but registration is required. The event will be moderated by Dr. Emily Martin, Associate Professor of Epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Panelists include:Dr. Arnold Monto, Professor of Epidemiology, University of Michigan School of Public HealthDr. Sandro Cinti, Clinical Professor of Infectious Diseases, Michigan Medicine and Ann Arbor VA Health SystemDr. Laraine Washer, Clinical Associate Professor of Infectious Diseases, Michigan MedicineRelated reading:
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University of Michigan study suggests COVID-19 won't completely disappear
Read full article: University of Michigan study suggests COVID-19 won't completely disappearANN ARBOR โ New research from the University of Michigan shows that reinfections of seasonal coronaviruses are common, suggesting that the virus behind COVID-19 could be endemic. โThe frequency of reinfections with the different seasonal coronaviruses suggests that SARS-COV-2 is not going to completely disappear.โAdThe researchers used data on 3,418 individuals from the Household Influenza Vaccine Evaluation from the years 2010-2018. Upon evaluating the data, the team found 1,004 seasonal coronavirus infections. Additionally, 27 percent of the reinfections occurred within one year of the initial infection, which researchers say is a relatively short period of time given the virusโ seasonal nature. โIn our study, participants had high levels of anti-spike protein binding antibody to seasonal coronaviruses, but these antibodies did not correlate with protection from infection,โ Petrie said in a release.
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What happened to flu season amid COVID pandemic?
Read full article: What happened to flu season amid COVID pandemic?After fears about a twindemic -- with the coronavirus pandemic taking place during flu season -- the flu has virtually disappeared altogether this year. In 2020, the coronavirus pandemic began during flu season, which created an added challenge for doctors and hospitals. But this year, he says that the University Hospital hasnโt seen any cases of the flu this entire winter season. Related: Nearly 2.4 million Michigan residents have received flu vaccine this season (Nov. 2020)AdThe Michigan Health Department labs have reported only five positive flu tests this entire flu season. More: Amid COVID-19 pandemic, flu has disappeared in the US
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U-M epidemiologist who led COVID-19 committee reflects on success of vaccines
Read full article: U-M epidemiologist who led COVID-19 committee reflects on success of vaccinesLocal 4 asked Monto to reflect on the vaccinesโ success and asked whatโs next. READ: 1 year into COVID: What we wish weโd knownAdThe original goal of the COVID-19 vaccines was to be at least 50 to 60 percent effective. He said the biggest challenge facing the FDAโs Vaccine Advisory Committee has not been evaluating the actual vaccines, but rather, not being able to gather in-person to do it. Monto said there will be more vaccines coming before the advisory committee for their consideration. He said they may also be called to examine the data on how the vaccines perform in children, once those trials are finished.
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The key factors that determine how year 2 of COVID will go
Read full article: The key factors that determine how year 2 of COVID will goREAD: Michigan residents 50+ with chronic conditions now eligible to receive COVID vaccineHowever, there are several key factors that could determine the path the next year could take. More U.S. residents are getting vaccinated at the rate of about 2 million doses daily. If this continues, 70% of the U.S. population could be fully vaccinated by the end of July and 85% by mid-September. โYou want to do it gradually and see what the effects are.โREAD: 1 year into COVID: What we wish weโd knownOther factors include how long the vaccineโs protection will last and if there are variants that current vaccines wonโt be effective against. Vaccine trials are underway in older children, but a vaccine likely wonโt be authorized until the fall at the earliest for those 12+.
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1 year into COVID: What we wish weโd known
Read full article: 1 year into COVID: What we wish weโd knownThe first confirmed coronavirus cases in Michigan were announced March 10, 2020. READ: First 2 cases of coronavirus confirmed in Michigan: What we know, donโt knowIn the last 365 days, Michigan has seen nearly 600,000 confirmed cases and 16,000 COVID-related deaths. READ: 1 year into COVID, what would you go back and tell yourself? Experts estimate that about half of all COVID cases are spread by people who are asymptomatic or presymptomatic. Most expects expected COVID to subside as the we entered warmer weather, but instead there were summer surges in many parts of the country.
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Amid COVID-19 pandemic, flu has disappeared in the US
Read full article: Amid COVID-19 pandemic, flu has disappeared in the USFebruary is usually the peak of flu season, with doctors' offices and hospitals packed with suffering patients. (AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes)NEW YORK โ February is usually the peak of flu season, with doctors' offices and hospitals packed with suffering patients. One pediatric flu death has been reported so far this season, compared with 92 reported at the same point in last yearโs flu season. Nevertheless, many labs are using a CDC-developed โmultiplex testโ that checks specimens for both the coronavirus and flu, Brammer said. That also is challenging the planning of next season's flu vaccine.
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Flashpoint 2/7/21: SOS puts forth her prescription for strengthening Michiganโs elections
Read full article: Flashpoint 2/7/21: SOS puts forth her prescription for strengthening Michiganโs electionsDETROIT โ A million vaccines have been distributed in Michigan, which sounds like a lot, until you realize it isnโt nearly enough. On Sundayโs episode we turned to one of the leading authorities on vaccines. Dr. Arnold Monto, a professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Public Health spoke about where we stand on vaccine distribution. And Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson puts forth her prescription for strengthening Michiganโs elections. The state leader spoke about the issue more on Sunday.
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States lift restrictions gradually amid fears of new variant
Read full article: States lift restrictions gradually amid fears of new variantSeveral states are loosening their coronavirus restrictions on restaurants and other businesses because of improved infection and hospitalization numbers but are moving cautiously. Gretchen Whitmer said bars and restaurants can welcome indoor customers next week for the first time in 2 1/2 months. Chicago and surrounding suburbs allowed indoor dining over the weekend for the first time since October. "But we wonโt be hemorrhaging money like we have the last three months.โWashington, D.C., also recently ended its monthlong ban on indoor dining, but one in New York City remains in effect. Indoor dining is still banned in the hardest-hit counties.
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FDA Vaccine Advisory chair answers questions about COVID vaccine
Read full article: FDA Vaccine Advisory chair answers questions about COVID vaccineUniversity of Michiganโs Dr. Arnold Monto, a world-renowned expert in infectious disease prevention and vaccine effectiveness, held a Q&A on the Pfizer vaccine and emergency use authorization. Monto, chair of the FDA Vaccine Advisory Committee, hosted an online chat Wednesday to reassure people that the speed in Operation Warp Speed is due to advances in science and large monetary contributions, not shortcuts in safety. Those large studies have given the FDA a lot of data on the vaccines. โThis is one of the major success stories of the response to the pandemic,โ Monto said. โThere may need to be further studies in children.โWill Monto get a vaccine if heโs authorized?
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Key questions to ask about COVID vaccine
Read full article: Key questions to ask about COVID vaccineโFor total transparency, itโs going to be on YouTube,โ said Dr. Arnold Monto, acting chair of the FDA Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee. Thatโs important to know, said the University of Michiganโs chief health officer Dr. Preeti Malani. Review: CDCโs frequently asked questions about COVID-19 vaccinationAre the experts you trust getting the vaccine? The bottom line: I hope everyone will listen, learn and ask the questions you need to ask to make an educated decision about the vaccine. Related: Will Michiganders be willing to get COVID-19 vaccine?
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Details on when COVID-19 vaccine could be made public for use
Read full article: Details on when COVID-19 vaccine could be made public for useNew TodayBefore any COVID-19 vaccines can be rolled out to the public they have to be granted an emergency use authorization by the US Food and Drug Administration. Doctor Arnold Monto, a world class epidemiologist from the University of Michigan School of Public Health will lead the vaccine advisory committee. In terms of where the vaccine will go first in Michigan, those details are still being finalized. The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan has risen to 320,506 as of Tuesday, including 8,688 deaths, state officials report. READ: 97 takeaways from epidemiologistโs deep-dive into Michigan COVID-19 spread, deaths, future outlookNew COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to rise in Michigan.
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University of Michigan epidemiologist leads FDA COVID vaccine advisory committee
Read full article: University of Michigan epidemiologist leads FDA COVID vaccine advisory committeeANN ARBOR, Mich. โ Pfizer and BioNTech submitted their COVID-19 vaccine to the FDA to be considered for an emergency-use authorization Friday. In 2018, he showed Local 4 his โFlu Labโ at the University of Michigan School of Public Health. Monto will lead the committee that will advise the FDA on whether or not to grant an emergency-use authorization for any coronavirus vaccines. RELATED: Local 4 assignment editor shares experience with COVID-19 vaccine trialThe FDA is not required to follow the recommendation of its advisory committee, but it typically does. โItโs an intellectual pressure, not a political pressure,โ Monto said.
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Why Michigans 100,000+ COVID-19 cases isnt as scary as it sounds
Read full article: Why Michigans 100,000+ COVID-19 cases isnt as scary as it soundsDETROIT The state of Michigans COVID-19 confirmed case numbers hit a major milestone Friday, breaking 100,000 confirmed cases across the state. As of Aug. 28, 2020, Michigan has 100,699 confirmed cases. The state also lists probably cases at 10,385, bringing Michigans total to just over 111,000 cases. The confirmed COVID-19 deaths in the state is 6,446 with 266 probable deaths, being about 6% of all cases. 100,000 cases is an important benchmark because it does show how real and broad the pandemic is, but beyond being a sad statistic, it doesnt mean as much to me as cases per million population, McGeorge said.
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A 'second wave' of coronavirus cases? Not yet, experts say
Read full article: A 'second wave' of coronavirus cases? Not yet, experts sayWhat's all this talk about a second wave of U.S. coronavirus cases? In The Wall Street Journal last week, Vice President Mike Pence wrote in a piece headlined There Isnt a Coronavirus Second Wave'" that the nation is winning the fight against the virus. But there is at least one point of agreement: Second wave is probably the wrong term to describe what's happening. When you have 20,000-plus infections per day, how can you talk about a second wave?" But in those cases, the second wave is a distinct new surge in cases from a strain of flu that is different than the strain that caused earlier illnesses.
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This Swiss cheese analogy can help protect you from the coronavirus (COVID-19)
Read full article: This Swiss cheese analogy can help protect you from the coronavirus (COVID-19)DETROIT Can a stack of Swiss cheese help protect you from the coronavirus (COVID-19)? Public health officials said the Swiss cheese approach to reducing the risk of being infected can help keep people safe. Thats where Swiss cheese comes in. Each intervention that we currently have for COVID-19 prevention is kind of like a slice of Swiss cheese, Malosh said. The more layers of Swiss cheese you have, the less likely a hole shows all the way through.