Tag: covid variant

  • Sustaining the Next Normal

    Key Points: In today’s Recommendations for Industry, we discuss combatting infectious diseases in the world’s “next normal.” Read more below. The pandemic global death rate has now exceeded 6 million (NYT). 24 U.S. experts have co-authored a new roadmap as the U.S. enters its third year of the COVID-19 pandemic. We discuss this further into…

  • Is COVID Shifting from a Pandemic to an Endemic Disease?

    Key Points: In today’s Recommendations for Industry, we discuss TAG’s weekly COVID matrix and its indicators for endemic vs. pandemic and related masking requirements. Read more below. A new, two-dose COVID vaccine showed 100% efficacy against severe disease. Two doses of a new COVID vaccine, made by the Europe-based Sanofi and GSK, achieved 100 percent…

  • Assessing Risk for Lifting Mask Requirements in Your Business

    Key Points: In today’s Recommendations for Industry, we discuss how businesses can assess risk when considering lifting of COVID protections, including masking.  Read more below. US COVID cases, hospitalizations continue steady decline. Average daily COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are continuing to fall in the U.S., an indicator that the Omicron variant’s hold is weakening across…

  • As COVID Recedes, New Challenges Arise

    Key Points: In today’s Recommendations for Industry, we discuss how COVID-19 has impacted other areas of public health. Read more below. In the U.S., new COVID-19 cases have dropped by 42%; although death rates and hospitalizations remain high (CIDRAP). However, around the world, COVID-19 still persists. In fact, in Hong Kong, daily cases have now…

  • COVID Declining; Continuing to Impart Lessons for Infectious Disease Control

    Key Points: In today’s Recommendations for Industry, we discuss the continued decline of COVID and the lessons it continues to impart for infectious disease (and “next pandemic”) control. Read more below. The future of the pandemic is looking clearer as we learn more about infection (NPR). New studies are providing an optimistic picture about immunity…

  • COVID Transitional Period Increases Masking Debate

    Key Points: In today’s Recommendations for Industry, we discuss the current “transition” status of COVID-19, mask mandates, and recommendations. Read more below. Is the Coronavirus in Your Backyard?. A study of white-tailed deer killed by hunters or car crashes found more than 60 percent to be infected with COVID-19, showing that deer could become a…

  • TAG COVID Matrix Showing Encouraging Trends

    Key Points: In today’s Recommendations for Industry, we discuss TAG’s matrix and the current trends of COVID and its variants. Read more below. As countries have begun accepting the endemicity of COVID-19 in society and many countries are loosening pandemic protocols, the WHO warns that it is not the time to completely let go of…

  • Cliché but True: Keep Calm and Carry On

    Key Points: In today’s Recommendations for Industry, we discuss the current progression of COVID and the flu and why keeping calm is the phrase of the day. Read more below. Happy Lunar New Year to all our readers! The U.S. FDA has given full approval to Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine, henceforth known as Spikevax (VOA News,…

  • TAG Holds Guarded Optimism for the Ebbing of Omicron

    Key Points: In today’s Recommendations for Industry, we discuss our guarded optimism for the ebbing of Omicron. Read more below. OSHA Withdraws Its Workplace Vaccine Rule. On Tuesday, OSHA announced its withdrawal of the November 5, 2021, ETS issued to “protect unvaccinated employees of large employers (100 or more employees) from the risk of contracting…

  • What Does an Endemic COVID Really Mean?

    Key Points: In today’s Recommendations for Industry, we discuss the ebbing of Omicron and what a shift to an endemic COVID would really mean. Read more below. The FDA is limiting the use of the following two monoclonal antibodies – (a) bamlanivimad and etesevimab and (b) REGEN-COV – to treat COVID-19 as they are “highly…