COVID & Health news, 2/10/25

Feb 10, 2025

Please check out a special issue of my newsletter that I posted on Saturday summarizing most of the actions from the Trump administration last week, including important changes at the NIH, the Treasury, USAID, Medicare and Medicaid, and other US government agencies. TLDR: Trump is distracting people with talk of the US taking over Gaza and writing Executive Orders to divert attention from Musk and his young hackers who have access to US payment systems.

Today, attorneys general from 22 states filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration asking a federal judge to temporarily stop a significant National Institutes of Health (NIH) policy change posted on Friday evening that would drastically reduce indirect costs funding for research overhead at universities and medical centers.

Important thread from David Putrino:

Respiratory Illnesses

As of February 7, 2025, the amount of acute respiratory illness causing people to seek healthcare is at a very high level. Seasonal Flu cases are VERY HIGH and are continuing to increase. The CDC estimates at least 24 million have gotten Influenza, resulting in 310,000 hospitalizations and 13,000 deaths from the flu so far this season. This is the worst flu season in 15 years according to the CDC. You can now buy a home rapid antigen test for COVID, Flu A and Flu B. If you are at higher risk from the flu because of pregnancy, asthma, chronic lung disease, diabetes or heart disease, the CDC recommends taking the antiviral Tamiflu to reduce risks, and shorten the time that one is sick.

From: https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/data/index.html

COVID

Emergency department visits for COVID have stopped decreasing and have plateaued. SARS-CoV-2 is HIGH in all places except the West where it is MODERATE. Wastewater levels of SARS-CoV-2 appear to be increasing in the Northeast and in the South, but are plateauing in the Midwest this week. According to JP Weiland, there are 540,000 new COVID infections each day in America and every 1 in 62 people is currently infected with SARS-CoV-2.

As of February 1st, Arizona, Nebraska, South Carolina and Connecticut are VERY HIGH for SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater per the CDC. Iowa COVID levels are also VERY HIGH according to Sara Anne Willette. In California, most places have low to medium levels of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater with the exception of SF Oceanside and San Rafael which are HIGH for SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater now.

COVID Emergency Room visits https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#ed-visits_all_ages_combined

SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater per CDC

From: CDC wastewater reporting: https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/COVID19-nationaltrend.html

SARS-CoV-2 Variants

In the United States, data through February 1 shows that XEC is stable at about 40 to 43% of COVID cases, while LP.8.1 is increasing modestly and represents about 20% of US cases with about 30% frequency in New York and New Jersey. Worldwide, SARS-CoV-2 variants are similar with XEC and LP.8.1 representing most cases.

Seniors

A study from Bogota, Columbia shows that elderly patients who died from COVID-19 had more pathogenic bacteria in their airways including Klebsiella pneumoniae and periodontal bacteria. Pathogenic bacteria and those that cause gum disease may worsen immune responses in severe cases of COVID.

Pediatrics

A study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that Long COVID rates in U.S. children remained stable in 2022 and 2023, with 1.4% of kids ever experiencing Long COVID symptoms and 0.4% (300,000 children) currently having LC symptoms at the time of the survey. Older children (12–17 years) and those from lower-income families were more likely to report Long COVID symptoms. Among children currently experiencing Long COVID, 80% reported activity limitations, highlighting the need for further research on Long COVID’s impact on daily life and school attendance.

Vaccines

In 2022, Washington University licensed their nasal spray COVID vaccine to Bharat Biotech in India. The nasal COVID vaccine will now be tested in a Phase I clinical trial in the United States under a license from Ocugen. Nasal vaccines can block SARS-CoV-2 virus transmission.

A new study shows that the updated KP.2 mRNA COVID vaccines introduced in September are effective against the latest SARS-CoV-2 variants including KP.3.1.1 and XEC. The study showed a strong immune response, suggesting the updated booster helps address the immune imprinting issues seen with previous bivalent vaccines.

Antiviral treatments

Obeldesivir is an oral version of Remdesivir. A Phase I trial of Obeldesivir shows that it was well tolerated, had only mild to moderate adverse events, and has low potential for drug–drug interactions. Obeldesivir's broad antiviral activity and favorable safety profile make it a promising treatment option for several viruses including SARS-CoV-2.

COVID Heart Risks

A new study published in Radiology found that mild COVID infection accelerates plaque growth in coronary arteries, increasing the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular events. Using coronary CT angiography (CCTA), researchers analyzed 2,588 artery lesions and found that those who had had a mild COVID infection had a higher incidence of high-risk plaques and coronary inflammation compared to uninfected individuals up to 12 months after acute infection. The study suggests that lingering viral fragments or post-COVID inflammation may contribute to long-term heart risks, highlighting the need for ongoing cardiovascular monitoring and potential preventive treatments like anti-inflammatory drugs or statins.

From: https://pubs.rsna.org/doi/10.1148/radiol.240876

In another study, 343 people who had mild or asymptomatic COVID infections, subtle but significant heart function changes were seen on transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) at 3 months and 12 months after infection. Though not clinically obvious on the individual level, differences in heart function on ultrasound were linked to lingering cardiac symptoms. These findings suggest that even after mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 infections, individuals might experience changes in heart function that are not immediately noticeable. The study highlights the importance of monitoring heart health after mild or asymptomatic COVID infections.

Long COVID

A group from Belgium looked at blood markers in Long COVID patients including serum D-dimer, HbA1c, ALT, AST, Creatinine, eGFR, CRP, Troponin T HS, WBC, Platelets, a cytokine panel and PBMCs for Telomere length, mtDNAcn, LINE-1 DNA methylation. They included Long COVID patients who had prior severe COVID infections (hospitalization and ICU in some), 30 Long COVID patients who had mild acute COVID infections and recovered controls. Long COVID patients were stratified by symptom into 6 clusters: PEM-fatigue (post-exertional malaise (PEM), fatigue, unrefreshing sleep, muscle weakness, and pain), Cognitive dysfunction, Autonomic symptoms (unsteadiness when standing, cold hands and feet, and unexplainable hot–cold feelings), Visceral problems (GI bloating, stomach-ache, and irritable bowel symptoms), Neurological symptoms (headache and sensitivity to light, noise, and smells), Immune disturbances (sore throat and flu-like symptoms).

In the 21 patients in the PEM-fatigue Long COVID cluster, troponin T in serum was significantly increased, and telomere length, and mtDNAcn (mitochondrial DNA copy number) were significantly decreased in PBMCs months after COVID infection. The authors concluded that cardiac involvement (as measured by troponin T levels) and telomere shortening might be risk factors for developing PEM-fatigue symptoms.

Brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) is a hormone produced by the heart that helps regulate blood pressure and fluid balance. Researchers from Japan found that elevated plasma BNP levels were associated with fatigue, shortness of breath, palpitations, taste and/or olfactory disorders and memory impairment in some Long COVID patients.

A Stanford study of 526 Long COVID patients found that 72% experienced chronic autonomic dysfunction lasting over three years, with symptoms like dizziness, rapid heartbeat, and blood pressure fluctuations. About one-third were diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a condition characterized by an abnormal increase in heart rate upon standing, with a higher prevalence among women and individuals with joint hypermobility. Many struggled to work due to symptoms. These findings underscore the long-term impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the autonomic nervous system and the need for ongoing monitoring and management of autonomic dysfunction in Long COVID patients.

A group from Malaysia reviewed how gut microbiota imbalances and chronic inflammation can affect different Long COVID subtypes. Probiotics have the potential to mitigate some Long COVID symptoms by restoring gut microbiome balance and by modulating the immune response. The paper reviews six clinical studies on probiotics as a potential therapeutic intervention including a randomized, double-blinded clinical trial from Hong Kong that showed that a synbiotic containing prebiotics and 3 probiotic bacteria (B. adolescentis, B. bifidum, and B. longum) significantly reduced Long COVID symptoms.

From: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0753332225000496

A group from the UK tested 1064 people (39% had Long COVID) with an online memory test. They found that Long COVID significantly impairs working memory, especially in those with a clinical diagnosis, with cognitive deficits worsening with age, multiple COVID infections, and longer illness duration. Participants with severe brain fog and a greater impact on daily life had the lowest memory scores, and those infected with earlier COVID-19 variants (alpha and wild-type) showed the most prolonged memory decline.

H5N1

For the first time, the more dangerous D1.1 genotype of H5N1 bird flu was detected in four cattle herds in Nevada. This indicates a new spillover of the H5N1 avian flu virus from birds to cows. Before this, only the B3.13 genotype which causes mild disease in humans was found in cattle. The D1.1 genotype has caused severe illness in humans including a Canadian teen who was in the ICU on ECMO for weeks and the Louisiana patient who died of H5N1.

As mentioned in my newsletter from Saturday, the Trump administration has taken unprecedented steps to control the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) after stopping the publication for 2 weeks. Political appointees including acting CDC Director Susan Monarez removed 3 studies on the spread of H5N1 bird flu this week, instead reporting on California wildfires. The CDC MMWR post on bird flu transmission between cats and people was briefly posted and then removed on Wednesday according to the NY Times. Ironically, the MMWR article on wildfires “accidentally” included this chart showing transmission of H5N1 from humans to pet cats and vice versa.

Two cases of H5N1 in San Mateo County

San Mateo County confirmed its first case of H5N1 bird flu in a backyard poultry flock in San Mateo this week. On Thursday, officials confirmed another case of H5N1 avian flu in a stray cat in Half Moon Bay. No human infections have been linked to these cases. People who find sick or dead birds or other animals should report it to a vet or to the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Sick Bird Hotline at (866) 922-BIRD (2473).

Other news:

Please check out my special issue of the newsletter on Government Updates and Health from Saturday at https://drruth.substack.com/p/special-issue-government-updates.

There is a measles outbreak in West Texas in a county where 20% of kindergartners are not vaccinated. Measles is one of the most contagious diseases that exists. About 1 in 5 unvaccinated people in the United States who get measles will be hospitalized, according to the CDC.

Homestead Cottage in County Clare, Ireland is located in a “200-year-old cottage in the middle of nowhere”. This new restaurant in a remote village was given a Michelin star and some people say that it is one of the best restaurants in all of Ireland.

Photo: Anthony O’Connor/Five Element Photography

Jackie and Shadow are two bald eagles who are the stars of a nest cam in Big Bear, California. They recently welcomed their third egg of the year. I’ve had fun watching the pair take turns sitting on their eggs to incubate them in the snow and now the sunshine.

Have a good week,

Ruth Ann Crystal MD

NOTES:

RESPIRATORY ILLNESSES https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/data/index.html

As of February 7, 2025, the amount of acute respiratory illness causing people to seek healthcare is at a very high level.
Seasonal influenza activity remains elevated and continues to increase across the country.
COVID-19 activity is elevated in many areas of the country.
RSV activity is declining in most areas of the country.

https://www.cdc.gov/respiratory-viruses/data/activity-levels.html#cdc_data_surveillance_section_3-emergency-department-visits-for-viral-respiratory-illness

Acute Respiratory Illness (including Flu, RSV, COVID)

"Seasonal influenza activity remains elevated and continues to increase across the country" for the week ending Feb. 1, CDC officials said.

So far for the flu season, the CDC estimates at least 24 million have taken ill, resulting in 310,000 hospitalizations and 13,000 deaths from the flu.

WastewaterSCAN: Respiratory Viruses by Region

https://data.wastewaterscan.org/

2/8/25 UPI: U.S. influenza cases reach 15-year high despite declining COVID-19, CDC says - UPI.com https://buff.ly/4jSpTPg

CDC Respiratory viruses (COVID, Flu, RSV) Hospitalizations (for those states reporting): https://www.cdc.gov/resp-net/dashboard/index.html

COVID news notes:

US SARS-CoV-2 Variant tracker: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#variant-proportions

Through 2/1/25.

XEC has been stable at about 40 to 43% of COVID cases.
LP.8.1 is increasing, but somewhat slowly from 5% to 7% to15% to 20%.

CDC COVID data tracker: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/index.html#datatracker-home

Data through February 1st, except hospitalizations.

COVID Emergency Dept visits: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#ed-visits_all_ages_combined

ED visits for COVID have plateaued.

Walgreens positivity rate: https://www.walgreens.com/businesssolutions/covid-19-index.jsp

US Wastewater Monitoring:

CDC wastewater reporting: https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/COVID19-nationaltrend.html

SARS-CoV-2 is HIGH in all places except the West where it is Moderate.

CDC wastewater map: https://www.cdc.gov/nwss/rv/COVID19-currentlevels.html

Through February 1st.

Arizona, Nebraska, South Carolina and Connecticut are VERY HIGH for SARS-CoV-2.

National SARS-CoV-2 data from Sara Anne Willette: https://iowacovid19tracker.org/

Iowa was VERY HIGH on Feb.5.

Midwest counties

Wastewater SCAN:

https://data.wastewaterscan.org/

SARS-CoV-2

California statewide view https://buff.ly/3YObiul

SF Oceanside and San Rafael are HIGH for SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater now.

California SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater from CDPH: https://skylab.cdph.ca.gov/calwws/

Santa Clara County wastewater: https://publichealth.santaclaracounty.gov/health-information/health-data/disease-data/covid-19/covid-19-wastewater

Marin county: https://coronavirus.marinhhs.org/surveillance (Updated 3 weeks ago)

COVID deaths per week: https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_weeklydeaths_weeklypctdeaths_00

JP Weiland:

JP Weiland https://bsky.app/profile/jpweiland.bsky.social/post/3lhmuhmfo7s2x

COVID Feb 7th update:

CDC data still available! A flattening or slight increase in transmission this week. WWScan and ED data have a slightly different trend (follow-up). Current estimates:

🔸540,000 new infections/day

🔸~1 in 62 currently infected

COVID Emergency department and WWScan data showed a more significant decline and a flattening compared to NWSS data, and are more similar to my forecast. What's the true story? Maybe somewhere in between.