Tag: omicron variant

Omicron boosters: Do I need one, and if so, when?

WASHINGTON — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending updated COVID boosters, for people ages 12 and older. These newly authorized shots are reformulated versions of the Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccines and they’re available at pharmacies, clinics and doctors’ offices around the country. Listen to this story here. The boosters target both

Why scientists are looking for clues about coronavirus variants in wastewater

COLUMBIA – Mo. — Offshoots of the omicron coronavirus variant have driven a spike in cases in the U.S. Some scientists believe clues to how these subvariants emerge lie in wastewater, and tracking them down could help prevent the next dangerous strain of the virus. https://cpa.ds.npr.org/s4780019/audio/2022/05/covidvariants-web-edit.mp3 Listen to this story here. Marc Johnson, a professor

You asked: What are monoclonal antibodies, and how are they used to treat COVID-19?

INDIANAPOLIS — As the omicron variant pushes COVID case counts to new highs, Side Effects has received audience questions about coronavirus treatments, including monoclonal antibodies. To get answers to your questions, Side Effects Public Media’s Jake Harper spoke with Dr. Myron Cohen, a professor of medicine, microbiology and epidemiology at the University of North Carolina

Public health officials warn of coming ‘tsunami’ of COVID infections

CHAMPAIGN — Public health officials in Champaign County are sounding the alarm as the omicron variant of COVID-19 spreads across the country.  Hospital officials say they already have more COVID patients than at any time this past year.   Champaign-Urbana Public Health District administrator Julie Pryde says we’re already in a wave of infections from

University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

U of I delays start of in-person spring classes by one week

URBANA — The University of Illinois announced Monday that it will delay the start of in-person spring classes on its Urbana campus by one week. Chancellor Robert Jones said in a mass email to faculty, staff and graduate students that the first week of classes next semester will be online starting Tuesday, Jan. 18. U