The Infection Control Today® COVID-19 page brings readers the latest information and clinical updates on the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, from case counts and hospitalization rates to data on effective treatments for severe disease and the circulating viral variants.
November 18th 2024
The CDC HICPAC discussed updates to airborne pathogen guidelines, emphasizing the need for masks in health care. Despite risks, the committee resisted universal masking, highlighting other mitigation strategies
Advancing Viral Disease Treatment of Recurrent Genital Herpes, Hepatitis B and D Viruses
May 2nd 2024Health care has an unmet need for the treatment of herpesviruses, hepatitis B, and hepatitis D, which would enhance patient outcomes. What should be done, and what challenges do companies that are trying to develop treatments face?
Healing With Algorithms: AI's Impact on Epidemiology and Infection Control
April 2nd 2024Media in the US presents AI as both beneficial and risky. Positive coverage shows AI's potential through virtual assistants like Siri, while cautionary tales warn of misuse like misinformation and deepfakes. How does all this work in health care?
Four Years After COVID-19: What Has the Infection Prevention Community Learned?
March 15th 2024Four years ago today, March 15, 2020, the COVID-19 lockdown began, and since then, the world has undergone significant changes. It has been a terrifying experience for everyone, especially for the infection prevention community, both within and outside of the health care sector. However, a crucial question remains unanswered: What has the infection prevention community learned from this pandemic, and where does it go from here?
COVID-19 Harmonization: Balancing Risks and Benefits of CDC's Latest Move
March 11th 2024The CDC's recent decision to align recommendations for respiratory viruses, particularly COVID-19, has garnered support from the public and infectious disease societies. However, as the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) lends its backing to the CDC's harmonization efforts, concerns persist regarding the implications of this shift, especially considering the Omicron variant's unique characteristics and the ongoing challenges posed by COVID-19's multi-system impacts.
Meet Infection Control Today's Editorial Board Member: Tabrikah Mohammed, MSc, BSN, CIC, CPHQ, FAPIC
Published: March 5th 2024 | Updated: August 6th 2024Meet the experts shaping infection prevention: Infection Control Today's Editorial Board members share insights, experiences, and cutting-edge strategies to enhance health care safety and quality. Meet Tabrikah Mohammed, MSc, BSN, CIC, CPHQ, FAPIC.
Voices of Resilience: Q&A With the Editor of "Corona City: Voices From an Epicenter"
March 1st 2024Step into the diverse and poignant world of "Corona City: Voices From an Epicenter" with editor Lorraine Ash, MA. In this insightful Q&A, learn about the origins of this remarkable anthology, the challenges faced in capturing raw, unfiltered narratives of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the lasting impact of these stories on readers and communities alike.
COVID-19 Realities: Beyond a Respiratory Virus, Addressing Optimism in Pandemic Management
February 28th 2024A recent commentary by Dr. Amesh Adalja in MedPage Today challenges the perception of COVID-19 as solely a respiratory virus, highlighting its broader impact on the body. This analysis questions the notion that COVID-19 should be managed like common respiratory infections, urging a closer look at vaccine effectiveness, the rise of long COVID, and the need for enhanced measures to curb the virus's spread. Let's explore the complexities of COVID-19 management and the pressing realities faced by the US and the world.
CSL's ARCT-154: The World’s First Self-Amplifying mRNA Vaccine Approved for COVID-19 in Adults
February 1st 2024CSL achieves a global milestone as Japan approves ARCT-154, the first sa-mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, showcasing CSL's commitment to innovation, efficacy, and prolonged protection against variants. Jonathan Edelman, MD, senior VP of CSL Vaccine’s Innovation Unit, speaks with ICT.
Nurturing the Spirit: A Look Into the Well-Being of Infection Preventionists
January 19th 2024In the dynamic realm of infection prevention, professionals face both the potential for impactful contributions and the risk of burnout. The delicate balance between the highs and lows prompts an exploration into factors influencing the well-being of infection preventionists.
Differences in Attitudes Toward COVID-19 and Influenza Vaccines Revealed by Hesitancy Trends
January 3rd 2024Survey shows people think the influenza vaccine is safer than the COVID-19 vaccine. This is concerning as COVID-19 is more prevalent and hospitalizes more people. This could result in low vaccine uptake.
COVID-19 vs Seasonal Influenza: A Comparative Analysis Reveals Alarming Trends
January 2nd 2024Results of a study by Yan Xie and colleagues highlight the severe impact of COVID-19, with higher death rates, increased risks of long-term complications, and greater infectivity compared to seasonal influenza.
Ensuring Safe Journeys: Infection Prevention in Public Transportation
December 27th 2023While public transportation offers convenience and accessibility, it is crucial to remain mindful of the potential presence of germs, emphasizing the importance of adopting infection prevention measures during travel times.