- A study suggests that children have stronger antibody responses to COVID-19 than adults. This contributes to developing understanding of why kids tend to have less severe cases of the disease.
- According to the WHO, the BA.2 variant is becoming increasingly prevalent globally.
- A study found that individuals who had SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy were approximately twice as likely to experience severe complications, including morbidity, preterm birth, and respiratory conditions.
Congress
- Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he is working with Republican Senators on new pandemic response funding.
White House and Federal Agencies
- The White House reiterated its concerns about dwindling funding for its COVID-19 response. It has already reduced supply of monoclonal antibodies to states and warns that it will not be able to broadly fund second booster shots without additional money from Congress.
Economy, Vaccines, Testing and Treatment
- Moderna will submit data to the FDA as part of an application for the approval of its vaccine in kids aged 6 months to 6 years.
- The FDA has not yet ruled on the authorization of Moderna’s vaccine for 12- to 17-year-olds due to concern about rare occurrences of heart inflammation as a side effect.
- The Biden administration may authorize a second booster shot for adults older than 65. This course is already authorized for people with compromised immune systems.
- According to the WHO, the BA.2 variant is becoming increasingly prevalent globally.
- Doctors and governments noted and are monitoring practical barriers to using Pfizer’s Paxlovid and Merck’s molnupiravir antiviral pills. They are most effective if taken within five days of symptom appearance. However, patients frequently attribute symptoms to a common cold and may wait several days to get tested or face additional delays because of concerns over interactions with other drugs.
- The U.S. Census Bureau published new data on how COVID-19 impacted the U.S. mortality rate.
- A new study found that deaths related to overconsumption of alcohol increased by 25% in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. Researchers noted that the causal relationship is unclear, but said that, whether drinking increased to cope with pandemic-related stressors or treatment was disrupted, this figure reflects “hidden tolls” of the pandemic.
- A study found that individuals who had SARS-CoV-2 during pregnancy were approximately twice as likely to experience severe complications, including morbidity, preterm birth, and respiratory conditions.
- A study suggests that organ transplants involving COVID-positive donors did not transmit the virus to recipients and had outcomes consistent with normal transplant outcomes.
- A study suggests that children have stronger antibody responses to COVID-19 than adults. This contributes to developing understanding of why kids tend to have less severe cases of the disease.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Updates
The CDC published the following reports and website updates:
- Cases in the U.S.
- Overall U.S. COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution and Administration Update as of Wed, 23 Mar 2022 06:00:00 EST
- COVID-19–Associated Hospitalizations Among Adults During SARS-CoV-2 Delta and Omicron Variant Predominance, by Race/Ethnicity and Vaccination Status — COVID-NET, 14 States, July 2021–January 2022
- Effectiveness of mRNA Vaccination in Preventing COVID-19–Associated Invasive Mechanical Ventilation and Death — United States, March 2021–January 2022
- Quarantine and Isolation
- Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)-Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network (COVID-NET)
- Toolkit for Pregnant People and New Parents
- Information about the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine
- What To Do if You Are Sick
- Symptoms of Coronavirus
