Cairo, 20 July 2022 Countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region have been reporting a continuous increase in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths over the last 6 consecutive weeks, with a daily average reaching 18 000 cases and 31 deaths. Easing or lifting the proven public health measures such as mask wearing and social distancing has been associated with increased transmission of the Omicron variant and sub-variants in 17 countries across the Region, contributing to an increase in cases, hospitalizations and deaths.
This current trend shows that the COVID-19 pandemic is far from over, said Dr Ahmed Al Mandhari, the WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean. We try to forget COVID-19, but the virus has not forgotten us. In fact, it is taking advantage of our complacency to spread and mutate. I call on all countries to maintain compliance to effective public health and social measures and to increase vaccination coverage.
Booster doses must be taken when offered as these will help to protect lives, particularly among those most vulnerable, especially the elderly, those with co-morbidities and health workers. Although countries with high vaccination coverage are still seeing increasing cases, the severity of the disease is generally milder, resulting in fewer hospitalizations and deaths.
Complete vaccine coverage in the Region is still lagging the global target of 70% of the total population by mid-2022. As of 18 July 2022, 45% of the Regions population was fully vaccinated. Low-risk perception due to the decline in cases during the previous 2 months leads to hesitancy to take the vaccine. Lack of convenient access to the vaccine also contributes to the limited progress in coverage.
When a surge of COVID-19 cases and deaths occurs, we become extremely concerned that our health systems are put on further pressure. Vaccines gave us the upper hand over the virus now. Lets use them and protect the most vulnerable in our communities and alleviate the stress on health workers and intensive care units, Dr Al Mandhari added.
On 8 July 2022, WHOs Emergency Committee on COVID-19 concluded that the virus remains a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The rapid circulation of Omicron sub-variants, reduced levels of testing and sequencing, and persisting vaccine injustice are sources of concern.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the Region has reported more than 22 195 674 confirmed COVID-19 cases and nearly 343 876 deaths. WHOs Regional Office is working with countries to maintain surveillance, testing, and genome sequencing capacities, accelerate COVID-19 vaccination to reach coverage targets and strengthen health systems resilience.
COVID-19 cases are continuing to surge in New York City and unvaccinated residents are bearing the brunt.
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that, as of Wednesday, the Big Apple has a seven-day case rate of 369.8 per 100,000, the second-highest rate in the United States, only behind California.
On July 17, New York City recorded a seven-day average of 4,380 cases, 14% higher than the average of 3,828 cases recorded two weeks ago, according to the city's Department of Health & Mental Hygiene.
Additionally, the test positivity rate hit 14.46%, the highest seen since January 2022, during the omicron surge.
Doctors say that more than a year-and-a-half into the vaccine rollout, the majority of those getting sick, hospitalized and dying are unvaccinated people.
NYC COVID-19 rates in vaccinated vs. unvaccinated residents
New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene
DOHMH data shows that the average weekly rate of cases among the unvaccinated sits at 764.29 per 100,000.
This is nearly three times higher than the rate among those vaccinated and boosted at 278.93 per 100,000 and 3.5 times higher than the rate among those vaccinated and not boosted at 216.89 per 100,000.
COVID-19-related-hospitalizations are more than five times higher at 36.84 per 100,000 compared to 6.93 per 100,000 and 6.82 per 100,000 for the vaccinated without a booster and the vaccinated with a booster groups, respectively.
Deaths are also more than six times higher for the unvaccinated at 5.27 per 100,000 compared to 0.96 per 100,000 for the vaccinated but not boosted group and 0.77 per 100,000 for those vaccinated and boosted.
Dr. Roy Gulick, chief of the division of infectious diseases at NewYork-Presbyterian and Weill Cornell Medicine, told ABC News that even though the case rate is lower among those vaccinated without a booster compared to those vaccinated with a booster, the real measure of protection is the rate of hospitalizations and deaths, which is lower among the boosted group.
"What's becoming apparent is that what we really want is to avoid severe disease and we define severe disease as requiring hospitalization or intensive care unit," he said. "Even if the vaccines don't prevent infection, if they protect against severe infection, then that's a big positive."
Gulick said that rising cases appear to be fueled by the highly infectious BA.5 variant.
BA.5, an offshoot of the original omicron variant, has become the dominant strain in New York City, making up more than 57% of cases as of July 2, according to the DOHMH.
"The BA. 5 variant is accounting for a significant number of infections," Gulick said. "This almost all certainly due to BA.5."
Evidence has shown that BA.5 is better at evading protection from both vaccines and previous infection including antibodies from BA.1 -- the original omicron variant -- and BA.2, the first subvariant.
The COVID situation in the city appears to be reflective of what's going on in New York State. BA.5 currently accounts for an estimated two-thirds of COVID cases in the New York region as defined by the CDC.
Gov. Kathy Hochul held a press conference Wednesday as the state hit 15% test positivity rate for the first time since January.
"We've seen the past and the past can become the present if we don't take the steps now," she said of the rising number of cases.
A medical technician administers a COVID-19 test to a man in Time Square in New York City, July 15, 2022.
Anthony Behar/Sipa USA via AP
Hochul said the mask mandate on public transit will remain in place until cases are "consistently lower" and issued several preparedness plans.
Among them include sending more than three million tests to schools ahead of the start of the fall semester and distributing at-home kits from the stockpile of 20 million.
Hochul said, at the moment, schools don't have mask mandates, but she kept open the possibility "if things change."
"I'm going to reserve the right to change this policy," she said.
Oregon health officials on Wednesday urged Oregonians in the 21 counties with high COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations to mask up, warning that the states hospital system is again under extreme strain.
COVID-19 hospitalizations are significantly lower than at the peaks of past surges. But a combination of staff shortages due to burnout and summer vacations; a high volume of patients who delayed care for other conditions earlier in the pandemic, and elevated coronavirus infections likely due to the highly transmissible BA.5 subvariant has substantially reduced hospital systems capacity to care for current patients.
No area of the state is spared, Oregon Health Authority epidemiologist Dr. Dean Sidelinger said during a news briefing Wednesday.
The state reported 424 people hospitalized with COVID-19 Wednesday, down from 458 one week ago. The peak of the current surge was expected to arrive last Tuesday, at 479 occupied beds, according to an Oregon Health & Sciences University forecast.
In light of the strain on Oregons hospital system, Sidelinger asked Oregonians to wear masks in indoor public spaces, particularly those in counties with high levels of spread, those at high risk of severe disease or those living with others at high risk.
Using some of the strongest language during this surge, Sidelinger also suggested people reconsider summer plans to protect themselves and others during what he called this extremely challenging time.
Central Oregon hospitals have been particularly hard-hit, Sidelinger said, citing the St. Charles Health System in Bend, in particular.
Of Oregons 36 counties, 21 have high levels of community spread, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention. That designation is based on hospitalizations, hospital admissions and new case numbers. They include the three Portland-area counties.
Everyone in those counties should be wearing a mask when in an indoor public space, Sidelinger said.
Despite the warnings, Sidelinger said he expects hospitalizations to plateau over the coming days or week before declining. And mask mandates will remain a local, not a state-level, decision.
Fedor Zarkhin
The return of big events is bringing back a sense of normalcy this summer.
Were going to see the Journey concert, said David Eckstrom, who attended the California Mid-State Fair in Paso Robles on Wednesday with his partner of 20 years. Ive been a fan of Journey since high school.
He added, We want to have fun, and you can take precautions, and you can stay safe.
Despite all the excitement, health experts say it's not the time to forget about COVID-19.
We remain in an unstable time with COVID-19 right now, explained Tom Cuddy, San Luis Obispo County Public Health Public Information Officer. Our numbers remain higher than wed like to see.
SLO County saw a slight decrease in cases Wednesday compared to last week. The public health department reported 422 new COVID-19 infections, bringing the 14-day average to 93 cases, down from 98 last week. However, that is not counting rapid or at-home tests.
With cases climbing, they're underreported to a degree since the community who are now being treated are self-testing and not reporting all cases, so most likely, it is much more extensive in the community, said Dr. Stephen Sigmund, Twin Cities Community Hospital Hospitalist.
Partly to blame is the new variant which is finding a way to spread despite vaccinations and disease immunity.
This new variant, that is the BA.5, which is probably the majority of the cases in our area currently, is at this point much more spreadable, said Dr. Sigmund. It is highly more contagious than the last variant; however, the severity of illness has decreased. Wed like to continue with controlling the amount of people that become severely ill.
One way to help is practicing COVID-19 safety measures.
Masking up in large crowds, masking up when youre indoors, washing your hands. If youre sick, not going out, suggested Dr. Sigmund.
Especially not going to the fair, if you are feeling sick.
Wear a mask, ideally a KN95 mask in crowded, indoor spaces such as exhibit halls or restrooms, regularly wash your hands throughout your visit to the Mid-State Fair, always wash your hands after petting animals or touching areas where animals are housed, recommended Cuddy.
It is not just COVID-19 you want to be cautious of since temperatures are expected in the triple digits.
Check the weather ahead of your visit and dress for conditions such as wearing light weight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothing, added Cuddy. Lastly, stay hydrated with water.
Health experts recommend those who test positive for COVID-19 check in with their doctor to see if they are eligible for treatment.
Just a reminder, both the San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara County public health departments have Test to Treat sites available for the community to use. They do ask that you make an appointment ahead of time.
For information on COVID-19 resources in San Luis Obispo County, click here.
For information on COVID-19 resources in Santa Barbara County, click here.
"As the pandemic progresses and continues to change, we must remain vigilant and be prepared for new strains as they emerge," said Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado. "With students returning to school classrooms in the fall, we need to have a plan in place to address future variants."
Background on Fall Action Planning
The State is actively preparing a Fall Action Plan to address potential pandemic surges later this year. Planning is being conducted in consultation with health policy experts and will also be informed by the voices of New Yorkers through a public opinion survey conducted by the State in mid-June that surveyed residents on issues related to the pandemic.
Fall planning will focus on addressing the below, but not limited to:
Governor Hochul's presentation on the Fall Action Plan is available here.
Background on Pandemic After-Action Review
Governor Hochul also announced a request for proposals to develop a pandemic After-Action Review, as part of New York State's ongoing pandemic preparedness efforts. The purpose of the After-Action Review is to review the State's COVID-19 response, identify what worked and what did not, and examine how the State could have improved its response. The Review will also serve as a guide for New York State and for other governments to use in order to respond quickly and effectively to significant emergencies, whether they are pandemics, natural disasters or other emergency conditions that create major disruptions to normal life.
COVID-19 patients are six times more likely than uninfected people to develop cardiovascular disease (CVD) and nearly twice as likely to receive a new diabetes diagnosis, but the risk begins to recede at 5 weeks and 12 weeks, respectively, concludes a UK study published yesterday in PLOS Medicine.
King's College London researchers analyzed the electronic medical records of 428,650 previously healthy COVID-19 patients and an equal number of matched controls seen at UK family practices from 2020 to 2021. Patients were followed from diagnosis to 4 weeks, 5 to 12 weeks, and 13 to 52 weeks. The median age was 35 years.
COVID-19 patients had 81% (adjusted rate ratio [aRR], 1.81; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.51 to 2.19) more new diabetes diagnoses in the first 4 weeks after infection, and their risk stayed elevated by 27% (aRR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.11 to 1.46) for up to 12 weeks.
Infection was also tied to a 6-fold increase in new CVD diagnoses, including an 11-fold jump in pulmonary embolism (blood clots in the lungs; aRR, 11.51; 95% CI, 7.07 to 18.73), a 6-fold increase in abnormal heart rhythms (aRR, 6.44; 95% CI, 4.17 to 9.96), and a 5-fold rise in venous thromboses (clots in blood vessels; aRR, 5.43; 95% CI, 3.27 to 9.01). Rates of heart attack (aRR, 2.01; 95% CI, 1.34 to 3.00), heart failure (aRR, 5.23; 95% CI, 2.04 to 13.44), and stroke (aRR, 3.31; 95% CI, 2.05 to 5.35) also increased.
The risk of CVD, however, started to normalize after 5 weeks (aRR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.28 to 1.73) and returned to baseline or lower within 12 to 52 weeks (aRR, 1.07; 95% CI, 0.99 to 1.16).
The authors noted that SARS-CoV-2 can lead to an outsized immune response and hyperinflammation, platelet activation, a damage to the membrane lining the inside of the heart and blood vessels, and blood clots affecting multiple organs.
Yet they said that the long-term outlook for COVID-19 patients with new CVD or diabetes diagnoses is good. "People without preexisting CVD or [diabetes] who suffer from COVID-19 do not appear to have a long-term increase in incidence of these conditions," they wrote.
Physicians should advise patients recovering from COVID-19 to lower their odds of developing diabetes through a healthy diet and regular physical activity, the researchers said.
"Whilst it is in the first four weeks that COVID-19 patients are most at risk of these outcomes, the risk of diabetes mellitus remains increased for at least 12 weeks," first author Emma Rezel-Potts, PhD, of King's College London, said in a PLOS news release, "Clinical and public health interventions focusing on reducing diabetes risk among those recovering from Covid-19 over the longer-term may be very beneficial."
Arlington County officials will now limit interactions with federal immigration officials and end the county's COVID-19 pandemic emergency.
One year after releasing details on its framework for interacting with immigrants living in the country without legal permission, Arlington County, Virginia, board members and County Manager Mark Schwartz passed a trust policy meant to limit interactions with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The Arlington County Trust Policy was passed unanimously Tuesday, following community feedback and public comment sessions dating back to September 2021.
Our vision is to be a welcoming and inclusive community where every person is important, and every person thrives, the policy says.
Under the new policy, county officials would consider the use of resources for the purposes of enforcing immigration policies inappropriate; restrict the ability of county police officers to share any personally identifiable information that could be used to further immigration enforcement efforts; and keep law enforcement from arresting, interviewing or investigating people just to determine if their immigration status.
Board Vice Chair Christian Dorsey described the policy as progress for the community, and said conversations would be ongoing.
This does not transform Arlington overnight, but I have come to appreciate and understand, based on the advocacy of many in our community, some of whom are in this room, that its a necessary step. A vital prerequisite, Dorsey said.
The policy was taken up with the goal of increasing the engagement of community members with county employees, county resources and government services as well.
This trust policy also requires reporting of violations to the Community Oversight Board with oversight from the county executive.
I am particularly pleased to see the compliance and accountability part of the policy. For me, reporting on the policy reporting on how we do, reporting on how we comply and asking our community to provide us with a continuous stream of feedback on that is absolutely critical, Board Member Takis P. Karantonis said.
Arlington officials, during their board meeting on Tuesday, also said the countys coronavirus pandemic emergency declaration will end on Aug. 15.
While Schwartz noted high levels of transmission across PCR tests and increased opportunities for vaccines among those age 5 and older, the need for those emergency authorities has dwindled.
The declaration has been an important tool offering the flexibility needed to better serve our residents, businesses and visitors, Schwartz said. The declaration will end 885 days after it was implemented, Schwartz noted.
The declaration allowed for virtual and online work, appointments and inspections, along with virtual county meetings for the board and commission. It was put in place on March 13, 2020, as the region entered its first COVID-19 spike.
The decision does not immediately end the countys temporary outdoor seating policies, which will stay in place through Feb. 2023.
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If the midway point of the boxing calendar in 2022 has taught us anything, it's that the overall health of the sport appears strong for the second straight year as a seemingly equal number of exciting fights have played out just as new must-see matchups continue to be rumored or booked.
If this is what prosperity is supposed to feel like for a boxing fan, it's a relatively new one. Or, at the very least, a feeling that hasn't been seen or felt for any length of consistency in a handful of decades.
For most of the past 15 years, hardcore fans have typically been forced to deal with the unofficial "every other year" phenomenon, where every strong 12-month stretch for the sport was typically followed by a barren one. This wasn't just big-name fights not living up to expectations but often them not even taking place at all.
Such is often the reality when a disorganized sport is so reliant upon those in power on opposite side's of boxing's network and promotional divide to actually work together for the future health of everyone else. Everything from exclusive network contracts to curmudgeon ignorance can be to blame.
But something has happened in response to the partial shutdown that took place in boxing over the first half of 2020. And whether it's directly tied to the fallout of the coronavirus pandemic or not, boxing continues to build a stupid amount of momentum heading into what could be a spectacular stretch of fights to close out 2022. Again, some of this optimism remains, at least partially, a very big if. But why kill such an optimistic buzz with what ifs when things are looking this good?
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The financial reality of the pandemic and how that has affected boxing in its 18-month aftermath seems to make sense. Very few sports or leagues matched the aggressiveness of Dana White and the UFC during the darkest days of the shutdown and most of 2020 saw boxing struggle to get things going in a timely manner amid travel shutdowns and the expensive need to insulate and test within a bubble.
Although Top Rank made some early in-roads with its bubble series from the MGM Grand Conference Center in Las Vegas and Matchroom Sport created quite a memorable backdrop with its backyard series outside of London, most of boxing was slow to get back in gear. Because of that, and the revenue lost due to the restrictions of having a live crowd, 2020 will be looked back on as more of a "lost weekend" than anything else.
That was then, of course. But this now and boxing isn't just kind of hot at the moment, it has become a consistent viral hit of late, even going as far as becoming a new kind of catnip for casual and uninitiated fans. Some of that could be traced to the celebrity boxing movement that broke out over the exact same time period, led by everyone from Jake and Logan Paul to a returning Mike Tyson and a new legion of pro sports crossovers from the NFL and NBA.
But some of that is just the reality as to what happens when promoters and networks have more of a focused need to make money now as opposed to slow building toward something much later. Better fights start to get made and better results start to become the norm. Some of that initial urgency post-pandemic to get the show back on the road and make the big fights available right now seems to still be leftover as fuel.
While it's still not cheap to be a committed boxing fan with pay-per-view proving as viable as ever during this new era of streaming (with even DAZN pulling a 180 to get on board), most of the supportive elements for the sport to be successful remain in place.
Boxing is still considered bargain live programming in this era, which is why each major promoter is linked exclusively with elite terrestrial networks (Fox), cable giants (ESPN), premium cable outlets (Showtime) or upstart streaming apps (DAZN). That means high visibility in spaces already occupied by other non-niche sports.
Yet even with this kind of foundational dysfunction due to the broadcast splintering of major powers, fruit continues to be born in a handful of seemingly unrelated upswings. Sworn enemies have seemingly been more willing to work together for the right events and even the much-maligned sanctioning bodies, when not caught up in another firestorm questioning their integrity, have made it easier of late for star fighters to unify titles as one undisputed champion continues to get crowned after another.
Everything from the legitimacy of world-class women's boxing of late (think Katie Taylor-Amanda Serrano) to the health of the U.S. amateur system on the Olympic level has only helped fuel this growing feeling that maybe this timeless, broken and unforgiving sport can have nice things, too.
A look ahead to the calendar of what's next only confirms these positive feelings as Oleksandr Usyk and Anthony Joshua are set to rematch on Aug. 20 for a trio of heavyweight titles while bitter rivals Canelo Alvarez and Gennadiy Golovkin prepare for a Sept. 17 trilogy bout for Alvarez's undisputed 168-pound title. Jake Paul returns Aug. 6 inside New York's Madison Square Garden for his toughest test to date as a professional against Hasim Rahman Jr. and former amateur rivals Claressa Shields and Savannah Marshall do battle on Sept. 10 for all four middleweight titles.
Then there's the can't-miss matchups rumored to be soon that could go a long way in taking boxing to the next level to close this calendar year. Such a discussion begins and ends with the welterweight undisputed bout between unbeatens Errol Spence Jr. and Terence Crawford, which has most recently been rumored for November. Not to mention a Jermell Charlo-Tim Tszyu showdown, targeted for January, for all four 154-pound titles.
But what about a fantasy pairing between young, unbeaten lightweight stars Gervonta "Tank" Davis and Ryan Garcia? Although, admittedly, not an easy fight to make, both have publicly pitched their collective interest. The same could be said for Dmitry Bivol's interest, fresh off an upset win over Canelo Alvarez, to unify all four belts against fellow unbeaten champion Artur Beterbiev. And don't sleep on Stephen Fulton Jr.'s hope of luring fellow unbeaten unified champion Murodjon Akhmadaliev into an undisputed summit at 122 pounds.
Then there's Teofimo Lopez Jr.'s path to redemption at 140 pounds, Vasiliy Lomachenko's return from the frontlines in Ukraine and what might be next for undisputed lightweight king Devin Haney. And did I mention that unbeaten Jaron "Boots" Ennis looks ready to ruin everyone else's plans at 147 pounds?
Some of life's greatest moments can come after one is forced to step backwards and take stock of a situation from a distance. The pandemic became that catalyst for boxing in 2020 and whether it's directly related or not, the fallout continues to be gold for boxing fans.
If you build great fights that can't help but deliver, the general public will come. And they will keep coming back to look for more.
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