Nasal swab tests predict COVID-19 disease severity, Emory study finds | Emory University | Atlanta GA New research from Emory University is providing a more precise prediction of COVID-19 severity that can be found by looking at autoantibodies in the nasal cavity, leading to more personalized treatment plans.

... For high-risk individuals, this could provide critical information to inform immediate treatment options, including quickly taking medications like Paxlovid within one week of symptoms to mitigate a severe response.

COVID cases update: Map reveals return of "very high" water virus levels "High" levels of viral activity in wastewater are also on the rise and are concentrated in one specific area. Newsweek

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High" levels of viral activity are also on the rise with detections now in five U.S. states, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

"Very high" levels of viral activity have been detected in Montana, with "high" levels in Arkansas, Maine, Minnesota, Nebraska and Wyoming.

Year in Review: COVID-19 A look back at newsworthy stories of 2024 Katherine Kahn Medpage Today

This year's headlines on COVID-19 featured new research on COVID-related mortality, post-acute sequelae of infection, vaccine safety, and potential therapeutics.

COVID Deaths Are Down, but...

Risk of post-COVID symptoms linked to body mass index in children A study by the University of Pennsylvania and researchers from 26 U.S. children's hospitals has linked elevated body mass index (BMI) to a significantly higher risk of developing post-acute sequelae of ... Justin Jackson Medical Xpress

A study by the University of Pennsylvania and researchers from 26 U.S. children's hospitals has linked elevated body mass index (BMI) to a significantly higher risk of developing post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC) among children and young adults.