The director of U-M’s Michigan Center for Infectious Disease Threats analyzes the current monkeypox outbreak.

Since the pandemic’s start, the MDHHS lab has sequenced 26,300 COVID samples. Tracking and identifying them has become a crucial tool to protect the public.

Nearly two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the origin of the virus tormenting the world remains shrouded in mystery.

In the very beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic there were sporadic reports of a dog or cat testing positive for the coronavirus -- SARS-CoV-2. However, there was very little focus on how often it happened, which pets were at risk or if animals could spread the virus to humans.

A city in northern China has killed three housecats after they tested positive for COVID-19.

On Monday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration expanded the emergency use authorization (EUA) for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 Vaccine for the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to include adolescents 12 through 15 years of age. The FDA amended the EUA originally issued on Dec. 11, 2020 for administration in individuals 16 years of age and older.

The first confirmed coronavirus cases in Michigan were announced March 10, 2020. READ: First 2 cases of coronavirus confirmed in Michigan: What we know, don’t 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.

The specialists at the Heart & Vascular Institute say they want you to remain safe and protect your heart. The following information describes what you need to know about cardiology and COVID-19. But you should also know that if you become infected, you don’t automatically face the worst possible outcome, the team at Heart & Vascular Institute said. With each breath, we release respiratory droplets, and when we talk, sing, laugh, yell, or breathe harder than usual, we release many more respiratory droplets. When everyone covers their mouths and noses, there’s much less chance of transmission, according to Heart & Vascular Institute.

Early results from a Michigan project to monitor the levels of COVID-19 in wastewater show promising results. “These initial results show promise for the field of COVID-19 wastewater monitoring in Michigan,” said Sarah Lyon-Callo, director of the Bureau of Epidemiology and Population Health at MDHHS. “This project has demonstrated the feasibility of this laboratory method and local partnerships for a longer-term wastewater surveillance system. Nineteen laboratories across the state of Michigan are participating in a standardized and coordinated network of COVID-19 wastewater monitoring systems. View the EGLE COVID-19 Wastewater Surveillance map here.

Kroger pharmacies offer rapid COVID-19 antibody tests for $25. There are also instances of the antibody test coming up with a false positive or false negative result. People who wear personal protective equipment (PPE) at work should continue to wear PPE, even if they test positive for antibodies to the virus. Don’t Antibody test results should not be used to determine if someone can return to work. READ: Here’s where you can get a free COVID-19 test in MichiganQuestions about coronavirus?

Questions about the vaccine scienceMany people have questions about the two vaccines closest to approval. Will the benefit outweigh the risk in this case?”Both the Pfizer and the Moderna vaccines are mRNA vaccines, meaning they are not live virus vaccines. it’s estimated that over a period of weeks the mRNA is naturally destroyed after it has been used to produce spike proteins. Should you get an antibody test to determine your ranking for the vaccine? Another related question is if you should get an antibody test to help determine your ranking for receiving the vaccine?

Previously, if you were exposed to a person infected with SARS-CoV-2, the recommendation was that you quarantine for 14 days. That’s based on good evidence that most people will have developed symptoms by day 14 and, even if they don’t have symptoms, the risk of being infectious past day 14 is also low. It’s not that 14 days is bad, it’s just that’s how does society wants to balance it.”And balance is the important point. Based on what we know, the CDC didn’t say that 14 days is wrong and they are still recommending it when possible. Related: Will Michiganders be willing to get COVID-19 vaccine?

China has stirred controversy with claims it has detected the coronavirus on packages of imported frozen food. (AP Photo/Andy Wong)BEIJING – China says it has detected the coronavirus on packages of imported frozen food, but how valid are its claims and how serious is the threat to public health? Frozen shrimp imported from an Ecuadorian company was banned for one week on Tuesday in a continuing series of such temporary bans. Experts say they generally don’t consider the presence of the virus on packaging to be a significant health risk. “I’ve seen no convincing data that SARS-CoV-2 on food packaging poses a significant risk for infection,” he said.

How important are super-spreader events in the explosion of cases across the world? Plus, the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention updated a report on the risk that COVID-19 poses for pregnant women. Risk for pregnant womenPreviously, the CDC said pregnant women might be at an increased risk for severe illness associated with COVID-19. Super-spreader eventsResearchers at MIT looked at more than 50 well-documented super-spreader events across the world. Super-spreader events are defined as one person spreading COVID-19 to more than six people at a single event.

Toward the beginning of the pandemic, a study showed that the SARS-Cov-2 virus can survive on cardboard for as long as 24 hours and on stainless steel for about 72 hours. Figuring out how long a contagious virus can survive on human skin isn’t an easy challenge as not many people are willing to have live SARS-CoV-2 smeared on them just for science. That’s why Japanese researchers used an unusual alternative -- human skin collected at autopsy about 24 hours after death. What they found was significant -- the SARS-CoV-2 virus could survive on human skin for nine hours -- significantly longer than the roughly two hours that the flu virus could remain a threat. More: More than just hand washing -- Teaching your children how to be clean, organizedMore: Coronavirus outbreak: How to wash your hands correctly

DETROIT – Since being diagnosed, President Donald Trump has received a number of different therapies aimed at his COVID-19 infection. The three most notable treatments that the president has received are Regeneron’s Monoclonal Antibody cocktail, Gilead’s Remdesivir, and the steroid Dexmethasone. READ: Trump, moving to show strength, aims for Monday releaseOn Friday, Trump received an infusion of the Regeneron’s mix of two antibodies. Remdesivir works by blocking the ability of SARS-CoV-2 to make copies of itself once it’s infected a human cell. READ: Trump court nomination hangs over Senate shuttered by virusThe third medication Trump was given is the steroid Dexamethasone.

Children can still become infected and spread the illness to other children and adults. But compared to older adults, children develop severe illness much less often. A new study published in the Science Translational Medicine journal looked at the immune response to COVID-19 in 65 children and 65 adults. READ: CDC says new guidance on airborne coronavirus transmission was ‘posted in error’Some children still do develop severe disease. Children infected with SARS-CoV-2 do not develop as severe illness as adults -- even among children who develop multi-system inflammatory syndrome, death is rare.

DETROIT – Researchers are still seeking ways to screen for coronavirus (COVID-19). The testing of wastewater for evidence of COVID-19 is showing promise. READ: CDC says new guidance on airborne coronavirus transmission was ‘posted in error’The main way epidemiologists have followed the growth of the pandemic is through testing individuals. Wastewater testing will detect a problem much sooner. Yale University researchers have found wastewater can effectively be used to give an early warning of an increase in COVID-19.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan officials want to remind schools and businesses to only use EPA-approved disinfectants. Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) said that the products that meet the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) criteria for use against the virus that cause coronavirus (COVID-19) are listed here. “Disinfecting is a critical step in preventing and reducing the spread of viruses, bacteria, including SARS-CoV-2, the novel coronavirus causing COVID-19,” said Brian Verhougstraete, MDARD’s Pesticide Section Manager. “Always remember that you are required by state and federal law to follow the label when using disinfectants. This includes safe use of the disinfectant, the types of approved surfaces an adhering to the contact time, which is the amount of time the surface should be visibly wet.”MDARD reminds school districts to:Use EPA-registered disinfectants and follow all label directionsDo not use disinfectant as hand wipes or in place of sanitizersKeep out of reach of students, children should not use disinfectantsAvoid touching wet surfaces and always wash hands after useKeep the surface wet for the required contact timeKeep lids tightly closed and out of reach from children when not in useREAD: More COVID-19 coverage

On Friday, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) posted an update to guidance on COVID-19 that said the virus could be spread through the air through aerosolized droplets. On Monday, the CDC walked back the update, claiming it was posted erroneously. “A draft version of proposed changes to these recommendations was posted in error to the agency’s official website. CDC is currently updating its recommendations regarding airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19). The WHO says those most at risk from airborne spread are doctors and nurses who perform specialized procedures such as inserting a breathing tube or putting patients on a ventilator.