Globally, on July 7, the death toll from the new coronavirus infection (COVID-19) exceeded 4 million. World Health Organization (WHO) Secretary Tedros Adhanom Gebreyess called the day a "tragic milestone" and added that the actual death toll would be higher.
The Delta strain, which was first confirmed in India and spread all over the world, has been reported to have a "breakthrough infection" that also infects people who have completed vaccination due to its strong infectivity. WHO announced on July 25 that Delta strains were confirmed in 124 countries, as countries such as India, Indonesia, the United States and the Netherlands were again forced to regulate the prevention of the new coronavirus infection. It predicts that more than 200 million people will be infected in a week. South Korea also announced that it will borrow 700,000 doses of Pfizer vaccine from Israel in order to expedite vaccination in response to the rapid increase in infected people around the capital Seoul (South Korea has borrowed the same number of vaccines 9). It will be returned to Israel in March and October).
Issuance of "vaccine passports" to prove vaccination has also begun in some countries. In Europe, 16 European Union (EU) countries have begun issuing "Digital COVID Certificates" (EUDCCs), making it easier for people who have been vaccinated twice to move within the EU. In Japan as well, local governments have begun accepting applications for vaccine passports.
In France, when you go to cafes, bars, shopping centers, etc. from August, you will get a "health pass" (vaccinated certificate, negative certificate within 48 hours, certificate showing that you have been infected with the new coronavirus within 6 months. It has been decided that it will be necessary to present (any). As a result, as many as 926,000 people booked the first vaccination online all at once on July 13. In France, vaccination of health care workers has also become mandatory. Concerned about the rapid spread of Delta strains, the French government's decision has prompted record reservations for several days of vaccination.
In the United States, there are moves to require civil servants to be vaccinated in California and New York. In New York City, city officials, including police officers and teachers, are also eligible, and unvaccinated people need a weekly negative certificate. The US Department of Veterans Affairs is also the first federal agency to require healthcare workers to vaccinate. Major companies such as Wal-Mart, Walt Disney, Uber, Google, and Facebook have also begun mandating employees to vaccinate.
The Summer Olympics will open on July 23 in Japan as the world struggles with the epidemic of Delta stocks. On the other hand, the number of newly infected people in Tokyo exceeded 4,000 on July 31st. What is the breakthrough infection of Delta strains in vaccinated people? What is the cognitive decline that people with the aftereffects of COVID-19 complain about? Looking back on the news related to the new coronavirus that occurred in the world in July.
INFORMATION INFORMATION
Special feature: The battle between the new coronavirus and the "world"
How will the global spread of the new coronavirus change the world? We will deliver the latest information from the unique perspective of "WIRED", such as what you need to know now, the current state of research and development, and the impact on society and the economy.
Infection of pets is "common"
The BBC reports on the findings of a pet's coronavirus infection. A study by the University of Utrecht in the Netherlands found that 310 pets in 196 households infected with the new coronavirus tested positive in 6 cats and 7 dogs. In addition, antibodies to viruses indicating past infections were detected in 54 dogs and cats. Most infected pets are asymptomatic or mild.
In another study by the University of Guelph, Canada, antibodies were tested in 48 cats and 54 dogs in 77 households infected with the new coronavirus, with antibodies detected in about 67% of domestic cats and 43% of domestic dogs. Was done. On the other hand, only 9% of dogs and cats in animal shelters had antibodies, and only 3% of stray cats in the same area. Cats sleeping in their owner's bed were at particularly high risk of infection. Cats sleep closer to their owners' faces than dogs, increasing the risk of infection. A quarter of the pets showed symptoms peculiar to COVID-19 such as loss of appetite and dyspnea. Most were mild, but three were severe.
Researchers have warned that pet health is rarely an issue, but that pets can become a "reservoir" of the virus and the virus can infect humans. He warns that if you become infected, you should avoid contact with cats and dogs.
Delta strains and breakthrough infections
Studies suggest that individuals infected with the Delta strain carry 1,000 times more virus than those infected with the conventional strain first found in Wuhan, China. Experts report that the Delta strain is one of the most infectious viruses known to date, at the same level as chickenpox. Although the current vaccine developed based on the Wuhan strain has been shown to be highly effective against all variants of the new coronavirus, the Delta strain is a breakthrough among those who have completed vaccination. Infections have begun to be reported (most of them are asymptomatic or mild).
For example, an Israeli study reports epidemiological studies of patients who have been vaccinated but have breakthrough infections. In this survey of 1,497 vaccinated health workers, 2.6% (39) of breakthrough infections were confirmed within the period (14 weeks from January 2009). The 39 patients were found to have lower neutralizing antibody titers compared to uninfected health workers. Most of the breakthrough cases were mild or asymptomatic, but 19% of patients said that the symptoms persisted for more than 6 weeks.
Israel also reported that the vaccine's infection control effect against the new coronavirus may have declined significantly from winter to early spring of 2009. Analysis of the country's national health insurance statistics showed that Pfizer's vaccine was 95% effective from January to early April, while it was only 39% from late June to early July. I understood. However, in both periods, the effect of preventing aggravation was more than 90%.
In the United States, of the 159 million people who completed vaccination by July 19, there were 5,914 COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths known to the CDC. 75% of them are said to be over 65 years old. It is not clear how many of these breakthrough infections were caused by the delta type, but the delta type is by far the predominant variant of the current epidemic.
Vaccinations tend to be more severe in people with certain health conditions that affect the immune system. Only a small number of vaccinated patients who are hospitalized have significant health risks such as cancer and organ transplants, and their immune system responds to the vaccine compared to healthy people. There is a possibility that it will not be done.
The worst scenario for a super-spreader event with Delta stocks was a cluster in Cape Cod, Massachusetts in mid-July. The CDC reported that 74% (364) of the 469 infected people had been vaccinated, of which 79% (274) had symptomatic infections. Furthermore, in this case, it was reported that the viral load of 127 vaccinated and 84 unvaccinated was about the same. The CDC recommended wearing a mask indoors again, with or without vaccination, as even vaccinated people can infect others.
Is a third booster required?
Given the declining antibody titers from vaccination and breakthrough infections with the Delta strain, Pfizer is seeking urgent approval in the United States for a third booster shot of the new coronavirus vaccine. The purpose is to prevent infection and aggravation of the mutant strains of concern by inoculating another dose within 6 to 12 months after the completion of vaccination.
Antibodies produced by vaccines decrease over time, so research is underway on when and when re-administration is necessary. Initial data from studies on booster shots suggest that antibody levels increase 5 to 10-fold after the third dose compared to the second dose.
Side effects of myocarditis reported with mRNA vaccine
Pfizer and Moderna mRNA vaccines can cause "very rare" heart inflammation. The main symptoms are chest pain, suffocation, and palpitations, with a consistent pattern of this side reaction occurring shortly after the second vaccination. Symptoms are generally mild and recover quickly with standard treatment and rest, especially in young men. Therefore, the benefits of vaccines are said to far outweigh all risks.
According to a survey by the European Pharmaceutical Agency, 145 of the 177 million Pfizer vaccines have had myocarditis and 138 have had peritonitis. Of the 20 million doses of the Moderna vaccine, 19 have myocarditis and 19 have pericarditis. Five of them have died, but all have been reported to be old or have some underlying illness.
A study on the safety of the second vaccination was also published for patients who reported an anaphylactic response after the first mRNA vaccination. The anaphylactic reaction is a severe allergic reaction reported to occur in up to 2.5 people per 10,000 people when using the mRNA vaccine. The study reported mild symptoms in 20% of patients who received the second dose among those who reported allergic symptoms immediately after the first dose. However, all patients who received the second dose were able to safely complete the series of vaccinations, indicating that it is possible to use the mRNA vaccine twice for these patients as well. ..
Sequelae of COVID-19 "Long Covid"
Survival and recovery rates are often confused because the risk of COVID-19 is often estimated by the number of deaths and the number of hospitalized patients. However, it was found that even in mild cases, one-third of the patients continued to have some symptoms 12 weeks after the onset. The experience of many symptoms in the early stages of the disease appears to be associated with subsequent long-term sequelae, the so-called "long COVID".
The most common symptom is "fatigue," which is not something that can be resolved by rest. Symptoms of cognitive dysfunction, such as poor memory and concentration, confusion, and blurring of the head, are also common. Symptoms such as chest pain, suffocation, headache, muscle aches, dizziness, and palpitation are also common. In addition, a wide range of symptoms such as cardiopulmonary system, neurocognitive system, digestive system, skin and eye effects, and general pain have been reported, suggesting that "long covid" is a multi-organ disease. ..
Even in the absence of subjective symptoms of sequelae, there are concerns about cognitive effects among people who have recovered from COVID-19. A study conducted by Imperial College London found that cognitive decline due to the sequelae of COVID-19 significantly affected not only inpatients (192) but also mild (326) patients. Became. As a result of investigating cognitive function data, the presence or absence of COVID-19 infection, and respiratory symptoms, those who recovered from COVID-19 had significant cognitive function compared to the control group, including those who did not complain of sequelae. Was seen to decrease.
Unlike conventional colds and flu, COVID-19 causes various symptoms even after the symptoms have subsided, and cases of being unable to return to normal life have been reported. As the full picture of "Long Covid" is revealed, we will have to anticipate and prepare for the impact of this new cause of disability, including the impact on workers' accident compensation insurance, disability insurance programs and support services. right.
The currently approved vaccines have a very high protective effect against hospitalization and death even if the Delta strain is infected, but the protection against the infection itself is as strong as that of the conventional strain. It may not be. Research into the sequelae of breakthrough infections in vaccinated people has just begun.
In countries where vaccines are widespread, the more people vaccinated, the higher the proportion of inpatients in the number of inpatients. If there is salvation, it will be that the "total" of inpatients remains low. In any case, the current situation is that vaccines are the only way to prevent the aggravation and sequelae of COVID-19 as much as possible.
INFORMATION INFORMATION
Special feature: The battle between the new coronavirus and the "world"
How will the global spread of the new coronavirus change the world? We will deliver the latest information from the unique perspective of "WIRED", such as what you need to know now, the current state of research and development, and the impact on society and the economy.
INFORMATION INFORMATION
Under recruitment of WIRED Japanese version "membership" members who can also participate in limited events!
"WIRED SZ Membership" is a member service that delivers a selection of long leads (feature articles) packed with insights for the next 10 years according to weekly themes. The exciting service, which can participate in the weekly members-only event, is running a one-week free trial!Click here for details
