COVID-19 tally as compiled by Johns Hopkins University. (Previous numbers in parentheses.)
Total U.S. confirmed cases: 80,995,048 (80,971,930)
Total U.S. deaths: 991,360 (991,211)
Total global cases: 509,805,166 (509,222,272)
Total global deaths: 6,218,898 (6,217,289)
Hospitalized patients have trouble overcoming COVID-19
If a COVID-19 infection requires hospital treatment, a new study shows that the patient has a long road to complete recovery. Researchers in the U.K. report that only 29% of hospitalized COVID-19 patients are completely free of symptoms a year later.
The study tracked 2,300 recovered COVID-19 patients who spent time in a hospital. It found that women were 33% less likely than men to fully recover from their illness.
The study also found that if a hospitalized patient was on a ventilator, they were 58% less likely to fully recover. If the hospitalized patient was obese, they were 50% less likely to fully recover.
New drug shown to effectively clear the virus
A Japanese drug company, Shionogi & Co Ltd, has produced an experimental drug that researchers say rapidly clears the virus that causes COVID-19. The drug, called S-217622, is a pill that has just completed a clinical trial.
The report, released Sunday, said the drug was most effective against five COVID-19 symptoms that are associated with fever and respiratory issues.
The company said it is planning a worldwide clinical trial and has received developmental support from the U.S. government.
White House reportedly will seek more COVID-19 funds
Congress returns this week, and one Biden administration official tells NBC News that the White House will seek additional money to combat the pandemic. Just before the Congressional recess, the Senate rejected a request for another $10 billion in funds.
Some Republicans and Democrats in the Senate had reached an outline of the funding bill before the recess. Under the agreement, half of the money would be used to pay for vaccinations and the other half to purchase drugs to treat the virus.
Around the nation
New York: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its COVID-19 threat assessment for New York and is recommending that masks be worn in indoor public spaces in 23 counties due to a rising number of cases. All of the counties are located in upstate New York.
Wisconsin: After slowing for months, cases of COVID-19 are increasing once again across the state. Last week’s seven-day average of new cases was around 830. That’s more than double the number from a month earlier.
California: State health officials report that the COVID-19 positivity rate has spiked by more than 47%, mainly because of the spread of a subvariant of the Omicron variant. The subvariant of BA.2, called BA.2.12.2, is causing most of the new infections, which are described as less severe.
Ohio: State lawmakers have introduced legislation that would protect and expand access to drugs and treatments for COVID-19 patients, some of which are not approved by federal health authorities for treatment of the virus. The measure allows a patient and health care provider to make the decision.
Hawaii: Police have charged a 28-year-old woman with wire fraud, accusing her of selling fake COVID-19 test results to people traveling to Hawaii. The state requires anyone traveling to the island to test negative for the virus before arriving.