Coronavirus COVID-19 Update for January 5, 2022

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Clinical Reports

COVID-19: State-Level Data Report
State level reports are the best publicly available and timely data on COVID-19 cases in the United States. The New York State Health Department collects and shares all publicity available data from the state’s COVID-19 cases. Hospitalization are rising rapidly, especially in cities like Long Island. The total number of COVID19 patients hospitalized per 100k in Long Island is 59.59. The total of COVID19 patients hospitalized per 100k in New York State is 49.50. Since the onset of the omicron wave, the 7-day average of new cases in New York state has increased to nearly 71,000.
Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes of Children and Adolescents Aged <18 Years Hospitalized with COVID-19 – Six Hospitals, United States, July-August 2021
Among children and adolescents with SARS-CoV-2 infection admitted to six hospitals during July-August 2021, 77.9% were hospitalized for acute COVID19. Among these patients, approximately one-third aged <5 years had a viral coinfection. Nearly two-thirds of those were respiratory syncytial virus. Only 0.4% of age-eligible patients were fully vaccinated. One-third had no comorbidities and were healthy children prior to their hospital admission.
Characteristics and Outcomes of Hospitalized Patients in South Africa During the COVID-19 Omicron Wave Compared with Previous Waves
This study was conducted to understand the outcomes of patients with omicron in comparison to previous COVID19 waves. During this wave, healthcare workers reported seeing younger patients with fewer comorbidities. They also reported that a significant percentage of their population had some degree of preexisting immunity for either vaccination or recent infection. 44.3% of South African adults were vaccinated as of December 2021, while nearly more than 50% reported previous exposure to SARS-CoV-2. While conducting the study, researchers saw the number of patients treated in the hospitals during the same early period of each wave differed. 68% to 69% of patients presenting to the emergency department with a positive COVID-19 result were admitted to the hospital in the first 3 waves vs 41.3% in wave 4. Patients hospitalized during wave 4 were younger, with a higher proportion of females.

Antiviral Therapeutics and Vaccines

CDC Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices panel endorsed Pfizer and BioNTech’s Covid booster shots for 12 to 15-years olds
Following the FDA’s authorization for booster shots for 12 to 15 years old, The Centers of Disease Control and Disease Committee’s Immunization Practices endorsed the booster shots as well. Basis for authorization came from real-world evidence obtained from the Israeli Ministry of Health that includes data from 6,300 individuals aged 12-15 who received a third dose of Pfizer’s COVID19 vaccine. Safety-wise, there were no cases of myocarditis reported to data, and based on further scientific evidence, the FDA concluded that a booster would be effective and pose more benefits then risks.
Risk Factors for Severe COVID-19 Outcomes Among Persons Aged >18 years who completed a primary COVID19 vaccination series
Authors looked at 1,228,664 people who completed primary vaccination for COVID-19, They reported that severe COVID-19 associated outcomes were rare at only 0.015% and death at 0.0033%. Risk factors for severe outcomes included age > 65 years, immunosuppression, and six other underlying conditions. All people with severe outcomes had at least one risk factor, while 78% of people who died had at least four. Prior to vaccines, 10-20% of people who tested positive ended up in the hospital, and there was a case fatality rate of 2%. With the onset of vaccinations, chance of hospitalizations went from 1 in 5 to 1 in 10,00, and chance of death went from 1 in 50 to 1 in 30,000.

Diagnostics

Fatigue and Cognitive Impairment in Post-COVID-19 Syndrome: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
This systematic review looked at the proportion of individuals experiencing clinical significant symptoms despite resolution of acute infection of COVID19. Fatigue and cognitive impairment are the most common and debilitating symptoms of post-COVID-19 syndromes. The meta-analysis revealed that the proportion of individuals exhibiting fatigue 12 or more weeks following COVID-19 diagnosis was 0.32 while the proportion of individuals exhibiting cognitive impairment was 0.22 which is about 1 in 5. The ultimate goal with this systematic review was to determine incidence of those symptoms so treatment can be developed.