COVID update for Dec. 22-28: Here’s what you need to know this week

COVID update for Dec. 22-28: Here’s what you need to know this week

Here’s your weekly update with everything you need to know on the COVID situation in B.C. and around the world.

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Here’s your update with everything you need to know about the COVID situation in B.C. and around the world for the week of Dec. 22-28. This page will be updated with the latest COVID news and related research developments daily throughout the week, so be sure to check back often.

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You can also get the latest COVID-19 news delivered to your inbox weeknights at 7 p.m. by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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Here are the latest weekly B.C. figures given on Dec. 22:

• Hospitalized cases: 349 (down 25)
• Intensive care: 35 (up four)
• New cases: 609 over seven days ending Dec. 17 (down 50)
• Total number of confirmed cases: 391,897
• Total deaths over seven days ending Dec. 17: 22 (total 4,806)

Read the full report here | Next update: Dec. 29


LATEST NEWS

Number of deaths decreases slightly

A weekly COVID update from the B.C. Centre for Disease Control revealed 22 deaths of people who died within 30 days of a positive COVID test as of Dec. 17, a drop of five from the previous week.

That number is preliminary, however, and will be updated in later reports as more data comes in.

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There were 349 people in hospital who tested positive for the virus, with 35 of those in intensive care, as of Thursday.

Three out of 10 Canadians say they wear masks in public: Study

Three out of 10 Canadians say they mask-up in public, according to a new Angus Reid Institute study.

It says a large group of unmasked Canadians say they wouldn’t like the government to force them to take a more cautionary approach.

Half of Canadians are in favour of re-implementing mask mandates if cases of COVID-19 go up this winter.

Thirty-one per cent of people in the study say they wear a mask more than half of the time in public.

Read the full story here.

Health Canada monitoring massive outbreak ‘starting to rip through’ China

Health Canada says it’s monitoring the growing wave of COVID-19 cases in China, which experts are warning could kill a million people in the next few months, as the country allows the virus free rein.

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China has done a dramatic U-turn in recent weeks, ending its zero-COVID policy that required regular COVID tests, mandatory quarantine and sweeping, restrictive lockdowns to control the virus.

Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease physician at Toronto’s University Health Network, said ending the zero-COVID policy, especially in a population with lower vaccine rates, will mean a wave of new infections.

“They don’t have the same degree of community-level protection that other parts of the world have, either through vaccination, through recovery from infection or from both,” he said. “What we’re seeing obviously, very sadly, is that, you know, the virus is starting to rip through populations.”

Read the full story here.

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— The Canadian Press

China hospital data absent from WHO’s latest COVID reports, raising concern

The World Health Organization has received no data from China on new COVID-19 hospitalisations since Beijing lifted its zero-COVID policy, prompting some health experts to question whether it might be hiding information on the extent of its outbreak.

However, the WHO has said gaps in data might be due to Chinese authorities simply struggling to tally cases.

WHO weekly reports showed rising hospitalisations for COVID-19 in China running up to Beijing’s Dec. 7 decision to ease restrictions on movement that were meant to stamp out any transmission of the virus but which prompted extraordinary public protests and hobbled the world’s second largest economy.

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They peaked at 28,859 through to Dec. 4, according to a WHO graph, the highest reported figure in China since the virus first emerged three years ago, but figures have been absent in the last two reports.

Read the full story here.

— Reuters

Regular exercise protects against fatal COVID, study shows

Men and women who worked out at least 30 minutes most days were about four times more likely to survive COVID-19 than inactive people, according to an eye-opening study of exercise and coronavirus outcomes among almost 200,000 adults in Southern California.

The study found that exercise, in almost any amount, reduced people’s risks for a severe coronavirus infection. Even people who worked out for as little as 11 minutes a week — yes, a week — experienced lower risks of hospitalization or death from covid than those who moved about less.

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“It turns out exercise is even more powerful than we thought” at protecting people from severe covid, said Robert Sallis, a clinical professor at Kaiser Permanente Bernard J. Tyson School of Medicine in Los Angeles and senior author of the new study.

The findings add to mounting evidence that any amount of exercise helps lower the ferocity of coronavirus infections, a message with particular relevance now, as holiday travel and gatherings ramp up and COVID cases continue to rise.

Read the full story here.

— The Washington Post

Immunity debt is not a myth: Why it seems like everybody is sick right now

Although Canada has never maintained a running tally of seasonal illnesses, it’s clear that the country is being absolutely hammered by a tidal wave of flu and respiratory viruses right now.

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Children’s hospitals have been overwhelmed since Halloween with what one Montreal physician has described as an “explosive” flu season. The country’s critical shortage of childhood cold medication also continues apace, with Health Canada now saying the backlog won’t fully clear until sometime in 2023.

There is compelling evidence that much of this sickness is a side effect of COVID restrictions — although there remain members of the medical community who are resolutely claiming otherwise.

The basic idea is that social distancing, masking and school closures not only slowed the circulation of COVID-19, but also curbed the usual spread of illnesses such as the flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and common cold. And now, with civil society reopened, all these seasonal viruses are playing a vicious game of catchup.

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Read the full story here.

— Tristin Hopper

China’s COVID wave spurs fears that dangerous new variant could emerge

The tsunami of COVID-19 that’s taking hold across China is spurring concern that a dangerous new variant could emerge for the first time in more than a year, just as genetic sequencing to catch such a threat is dwindling.

The situation in China is unique because of the path it’s followed throughout the pandemic. While almost every other part of the world has battled infections and embraced vaccinations with potent mRNA shots to varying degrees, China largely sidestepped both. The result is a population with low levels of immunity facing a wave of disease caused by the most contagious strain of the virus yet to circulate.

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The expected surge of infections and deaths are taking hold in China within a black box since the government is no longer releasing detailed COVID data. The rise has medical experts and political leaders in the U.S. and elsewhere worried about another round of disease caused by the mutating virus. Meanwhile, the number of cases sequenced globally each month to find those changes has plunged.

“There will certainly be more Omicron subvariants developing in China in the coming days, weeks and months, but what the world must anticipate in order to recognize it early and take rapid action is a completely new variant of concern,” said Daniel Lucey, a fellow at the Infectious Diseases Society of America and professor at Dartmouth University’s Geisel School of Medicine. “It could be more contagious, more deadly, or evade drugs, vaccines and detection from existing diagnostics.”

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Read the full story here.

— Bloomberg News


What are B.C.’s current public health measures?

MASKS: Masks are not required in public indoor settings though individual businesses and event organizers can choose to require them.

Masks are also encouraged but not required on board public transit and B.C. Ferries, though they are still required in federally regulated travel spaces such as trains, airports and airplanes, and in health care settings.

GATHERINGS AND EVENTS: There are currently no restrictions on gatherings and events such as personal gatherings, weddings, funerals, worship services, exercise and fitness activities, and swimming pools.

There are also no restrictions or capacity limits on restaurants, pubs, bars and nightclubs; and no restrictions on sport activities.

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CARE HOMES: There are no capacity restrictions on visitors to long-term care and seniors’ assisted living facilities, however, visitors must show proof of vaccination before visiting. Exemptions are available for children under the age of 12, those with a medical exemption, and visitors attending for compassionate visits related to end-of-life.

Visitors to seniors’ homes are also required to take a rapid antigen test before visiting the facility or be tested on arrival. Exemptions to testing are available for those attending for compassionate visits or end-of-life care.


How do I get vaccinated in B.C.?

Everyone who is living in B.C. and eligible for a vaccine can receive one by following these steps:

• Get registered online at gov.bc.ca/getvaccinated to book an appointment in your community.
• Or, if you prefer, you can get registered and then visit a drop-in clinic in your health authority.
• The system will alert you when it is time to go for your second dose.
• The same system will also alert you when it is time for your booster dose.

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Where can I get a COVID-19 test?

TESTING CENTRES: B.C.’s COVID-19 test collection centres are currently only testing those with symptoms who are hospitalized, pregnant, considered high risk or live/work with those who are high risk. You can find a testing centre using the B.C. Centre for Disease Control’s testing centre map.

If you have mild symptoms, you do not need a test and should stay home until your fever is gone. Those without symptoms do not need a test.

TAKE-HOME RAPID ANTIGEN TESTS: Eligible British Columbians over the age of 18 with a personal health number can visit a pharmacy to receive a free take-home test kit containing five COVID-19 rapid antigen tests.

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Genentech: Press Releases | Saturday, Dec 10, 2022

Genentech: Press Releases | Saturday, Dec 10, 2022

Saturday, Dec 10, 2022

Interim Data From Stage III Analyze Introduced at ASH 2022 Present Hemlibra (emicizumab-kxwh) Attained Significant Bleed Regulate in Infants From Birth

The HAVEN 7 examine was intended to even further affirm the gain of preventative therapy (prophylaxis) with Hemlibra from start in beforehand untreated or minimally treated infants with significant hemophilia A without having inhibitors

 

77.8{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} of contributors experienced no bleeding episodes that necessary treatment method

 

In addition, authentic-environment efficacy and protection information from the EUHASS databases and ATHN 7 analyze were also offered

South San Francisco, CA — December 10, 2022 —

Genentech, a member of the Roche Team (6: RO, ROG OTCQX: RHHBY), these days introduced interim final results from the Period III HAVEN 7 study. The examine shows Hemlibra® (emicizumab-kxwh) realized meaningful bleed manage with a favorable protection profile in infants (up to 12 months) with serious hemophilia A with out factor VIII inhibitors: 77.8{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} of members did not have any bleeds that demanded treatment and 42.6{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} did not have any handled or untreated bleeds at all. These outcomes aid aid the use of Hemlibra in this inhabitants, in which it is already accredited in lots of countries close to the world. The new data were being offered at the 64th American Modern society of Hematology (ASH) Yearly Meeting and Exposition having spot in New Orleans from December 10-13, 2022. 

 

The stress of significant hemophilia A in infants and on their mothers and fathers and caregivers is substantial. The Earth Federation of Hemophilia remedy rules think about the conventional of care in hemophilia to be normal prophylaxis initiated at a young age, as studies have shown that early prophylaxis increases prolonged-phrase results, although minimizing the threat of intracranial hemorrhage. However, for quite a few infants with hemophilia A, prophylaxis is not started out until after the first calendar year of life because of the significant cure stress. Hemlibra provides a flexible remedy choice that can be administered subcutaneously from delivery at distinctive dosing frequencies.    

 

“These preliminary final results support the profit of starting Hemlibra from start specified that early preventative procedure is essential in infants,” reported Levi Garraway, M.D., Ph.D., chief healthcare officer and head of Worldwide Item Progress. “Hemophilia can substantially decrease quality of lifestyle for these affected, beginning at infancy, which is especially distressing for parents and caregivers. We continue to take a look at Hemlibra’s opportunity gains to a wide assortment of people with hemophilia A.”

 

HAVEN 7 is a Period III, multi-center, open-label analyze analyzing the efficacy, protection, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of Hemlibra in infants with significant hemophilia A devoid of aspect VIII inhibitors. The results of this interim investigation, which provided information from 54 contributors, showed that 77.8{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} of individuals (n=42) did not have any bleeds which essential remedy, though 42.6{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} (n=23) did not have any taken care of or untreated bleeds at all. There were being no dealt with spontaneous bleeds in any contributors, and all dealt with bleeds were traumatic. A whole of 77 bleeds transpired in 31 participants (57.4{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc}) 88.3{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} were being traumatic. Indicate model-dependent annualized bleeding charge (ABR) at the time of interim examination was .4 (95{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} CI: .23–0.65) for handled bleeds.

 

Hemlibra’s protection profile was steady with prior studies, with no new protection signals observed. 9 men and women (16.7{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc}) noted a Hemlibra-similar adverse occasion (AE), all of which ended up area injection website reactions. Eight contributors (14.8{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc}) noted 12 significant AEs, unrelated to Hemlibra. There were no fatalities, thromboembolic situations or conditions of thrombotic microangiopathy, reinforcing Hemlibra’s favorable safety profile. No intracranial hemorrhages occurred.

 

Primary analysis will be conducted at 52 weeks. The examine also has an additional seven-calendar year stick to-up interval to gather long-phrase data this sort of as safety and joint well being outcomes, more constructing on our knowledge of the benefit of Hemlibra in this populace.

 

EUHASS Database and ATHN 7 Review

Genentech also offered data from the European Haemophilia Security Surveillance (EUHASS) databases and the prospective observational ATHN 7 review at ASH 2022. Info from EUHASS, which collects real-entire world basic safety data on treatment plans for inherited conditions, confirmed the basic safety profile of Hemlibra in folks with hemophilia A was favorable and steady with medical demo info. Details from ATHN 7, exploring the efficacy of Hemlibra in women of all ages with hemophilia A, showed two of the three female individuals experienced no bleeds the 3rd experienced a person treated bleed affiliated with a dental procedure and one untreated bleed connected with menses. Ongoing analysis is vital to additional have an understanding of the security and efficacy profile of Hemlibra in this scarce and underneath-represented inhabitants.

 

Hemlibra is accepted as a treatment method for folks with hemophilia A with variable VIII inhibitors in much more than 110 nations around the world all over the world, and for people today with no variable VIII inhibitors in extra than 100 nations around the world globally. It has been analyzed in a person of the major clinical demo systems in folks with hemophilia A with and without issue VIII inhibitors, together with 8 Section III research.

About Hemlibra

Hemlibra is a bispecific component IXa- and factor X-directed antibody. It is designed to provide with each other element IXa and factor X, proteins required to activate the normal coagulation cascade and restore the blood clotting process for hemophilia A patients. Hemlibra is a prophylactic (preventative) cure that can be administered by an injection of a all set-to-use remedy under the pores and skin (subcutaneously) after weekly, every single two months or just about every four weeks. Hemlibra was produced by Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. and is staying co-made globally by Chugai, Roche and Genentech.

 

Hemlibra U.S. Sign

Hemlibra is a prescription medicine utilized for routine prophylaxis to protect against or lessen the frequency of bleeding episodes in older people and youngsters, ages newborn and older, with hemophilia A with or without the need of factor VIII inhibitors.

 

Important Basic safety Info

What is the most important data to know about Hemlibra?

Hemlibra improves the opportunity for blood to clot. People who use activated prothrombin sophisticated focus (aPCC Feiba®) to take care of breakthrough bleeds whilst getting Hemlibra might be at danger of really serious aspect outcomes related to blood clots. 

 

These really serious side effects incorporate:

  • Thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA), a condition involving blood clots and injury to tiny blood vessels that might trigger damage to one’s kidneys, brain, and other organs
  • Blood clots (thrombotic events), which could form in blood vessels in the arm, leg, lung, or head

 

Clients need to speak to their physician about the indications and signs and symptoms of these serious facet outcomes, which can involve

  • Confusion
  • Abdomen, chest, or back soreness
  • Weakness
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Inflammation, soreness, or redness
  • Emotion sick or faint
  • Lessened urination
  • Inflammation of arms and legs
  • Yellowing of skin and eyes
  • Eye suffering, swelling, or issues looking at
  • Rapidly coronary heart charge
  • Numbness in your encounter
  • Headache
  • Shortness of breath
  • Coughing up blood

 

If sufferers encounter any of these signs or symptoms for the duration of or immediately after treatment method with Hemlibra, they should really get medical aid right absent.

 

Clients ought to very carefully observe their health care provider’s guidance pertaining to when to use an on desire bypassing agent or variable VIII, and the dose and schedule to use for breakthrough bleed treatment method. If aPCC (Feiba®) is essential, patients ought to communicate to their health care company in situation they feel they need to have a lot more than 100 U/kg of aPCC (Feiba®) complete.

 

Patients’ bodies may well make antibodies against Hemlibra, which may cease Hemlibra from doing work adequately. Clients must contact their healthcare supplier promptly if they notice that Hemlibra has stopped doing the job for them (e.g., maximize in bleeds).

 

The most common facet effects of Hemlibra contain: injection web page reactions (redness, tenderness, warmth, or itching at the web page of injection), headache, and joint suffering. These are not all of the possible side effects of Hemlibra. Clients can converse with their healthcare supplier for a lot more facts.

 

What else really should individuals know about Hemlibra?

 

Patients need to see the specific “Instructions for Use” that arrives with Hemlibra for details on how to prepare and inject a dose of Hemlibra, and how to adequately throw away (dispose of) made use of needles and syringes.

 

  • Patients should really halt taking their prophylactic bypassing treatment the day ahead of they begin Hemlibra 
  • People may perhaps proceed taking their prophylactic factor VIII for the to start with 7 days of Hemlibra

 

Hemlibra may well interfere with laboratory tests that measure how well blood is clotting and build an inaccurate end result. Individuals really should discuss with their healthcare service provider about how this may perhaps affect their treatment.

 

Medications are at times recommended for uses other than those mentioned in a Medication Guide. People ought to only use Hemlibra for the situation it was prescribed. Clients must not give Hemlibra to other men and women, even if they have the very same signs and symptoms that they have. It could damage them.

 

People really should convey to their healthcare provider about all the medications they just take, such as prescription medications, about-the-counter medications, nutritional vitamins, or herbal supplements. Individuals really should continue to keep a checklist of them to display their healthcare service provider and pharmacist.

 

Right before working with Hemlibra, people really should convey to their healthcare provider about all of their health-related ailments, including if they are pregnant, prepare to come to be expecting, are breastfeeding, or strategy to breastfeed.

 

Considering the fact that Hemlibra was examined in males, there is no facts on whether Hemlibra may impact an unborn newborn or breast milk. Girls who are capable to turn into pregnant must use birth control all through therapy.

 

Aspect consequences may perhaps be described to the Fda at (800) Fda-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch. Aspect consequences may perhaps also be described to Genentech at (888) 835-2555.

 

Be sure to see Critical Basic safety Details, including Really serious Facet Effects, as well as the Hemlibra full Prescribing Information and Medication Guidebook.

 

About hemophilia A

Hemophilia A is an inherited, major problem in which a person’s blood does not clot adequately, primary to uncontrolled and often spontaneous bleeding. Hemophilia impacts around 20,000 persons in the United States, with hemophilia A currently being the most frequent sort and around 50-60{35112b74ca1a6bc4decb6697edde3f9edcc1b44915f2ccb9995df8df6b4364bc} of folks residing with a extreme kind of the ailment.

 

People with hemophilia A possibly deficiency or do not have enough of a clotting protein identified as issue VIII. In a balanced particular person, when a bleed takes place, factor VIII delivers alongside one another the clotting aspects IXa and X, which is a crucial move in the formation of a blood clot to enable cease bleeding. Depending on the severity of their problem, individuals with hemophilia A can bleed commonly, in particular into their joints or muscle tissues. These bleeds can current a considerable health worry as they normally induce pain and can lead to persistent swelling, deformity, decreased mobility and very long-phrase joint damage.

 

A really serious complication of cure is the enhancement of inhibitors to element VIII substitute therapies. Inhibitors are antibodies developed by the body’s immune system that bind to and block the efficacy of substitute element VIII, producing it difficult, if not difficult, to obtain a stage of component VIII ample to manage bleeding.

 

About Genentech in hemophilia

In 1984, Genentech researchers were the very first to clone recombinant factor VIII in response to the contaminated hemophilia blood offer disaster of the early 1980s. For much more than 20 decades, Genentech has been developing medications to convey innovative cure alternatives to folks with health conditions of the blood in just oncology, and in hemophilia A. Genentech is fully commited to improving upon remedy and treatment in the hemophilia neighborhood by delivering significant science and clinical expertise. For additional info visit http://www.gene.com/hemophilia.

 

About Genentech

Started additional than 40 several years ago, Genentech is a major biotechnology enterprise that discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes medicines to deal with individuals with significant and lifestyle-threatening medical problems. The firm, a member of the Roche Group, has headquarters in South San Francisco, California. For additional information and facts about the firm, you should visit http://www.gene.com.

 

 

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