COVID-19
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Living with Long-COVID
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve, many individuals are experiencing lingering and prolonged symptoms long after their initial infection has cleared. This phenomenon, known as “long-COVID,” or “post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection” (PASC), has been garnering increased attention from researchers and healthcare professionals alike. Long-COVID is a condition where individuals experience a wide range of symptoms that last for weeks or even months after recovering from the acute phase of COVID-19. While the exact causes of long-COVID are not yet fully understood, it is believed to be the result of the body’s immune response to the virus, persistent inflammation, or the virus itself causing ongoing damage to the body.…
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Unanimous Vote for XBB-Centric COVID-19 Vaccine
Moderna, Pfizer-BioNTech, and Novavax, key vaccine manufacturers, have presented evidence before the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) vaccine committee, illustrating that their experimental vaccines induce similarly potent antibody responses against the XBB.1.5 and XBB.1.16 variants of the virus. Furthermore, they have demonstrated that these vaccines also show efficacy against other emerging variants like XBB.2.3. The genetic differences among these XBB strains, according to these manufacturers, are negligible — limited to just two or three modifications. This implies that, from the perspective of the immune system, these variants are nearly identical. Given this data, the FDA’s 21-member vaccine committee unanimously proposed an overhaul of the existing COVID-19 vaccine, moving from…
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COVID-19 Bivalent Vaccines
Since the start of the global pandemic, a lot of headway has been made – including what we know about the COVID-19 virus, how it transmits, how it affects people, and the types of treatment methods that are available – specifically with the use of vaccines. While vaccines are not 100% foolproof, they remain the best course of action when it comes to protecting yourself as well as others around you, and can prevent serious illness or death from occurring should you happen to contract COVID-19. Because vaccine immunity can wane over time, booster vaccines are an important part of staying protected against COVID-19 – especially as we begin to…
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Easing of COVID-19 Restrictions
Earlier this week, the B.C. Government announced that COVID-19 restrictions would be easing – beginning with the mask mandate, which has now been lifted. While you will still be required to wear a mask in certain settings, such as healthcare facilities (i.e., doctors’ offices), it is now up to British Columbians to decide, based on their own comfort level, whether they want to continue wearing a mask in other settings. For those who are not ready to stop wearing a face mask, or for individuals who are at high-risk of contracting COVID-19 (for example, if you are clinically extremely vulnerable/immunocompromised), the recommendation is that you continue to wear a mask…
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New Restrictions to Help Curb Omicron Spread
With the Omicron variant now accounting for the recent rise in COVID-19 numbers (with British Columbia seeing its highest case count ever at 1,528 new cases announced Wednesday – those numbers expected to go even higher in the days to come), the Provincial government, on Tuesday, announced several new restrictions that went into effect at midnight which will be in place until at least January 18th in effort to help curb the spread of the virus. These latest measures announced include the cancellation of all indoor events regardless of size – as well as the closure of gyms, dance studios, night clubs, and capacity reduction in places like restaurants and…
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Omicron Variant
As we’ve seen with COVID-19, there have been several variants of the virus that have emerged since the start of the pandemic. It is not uncommon for viruses (such as influenza, for example), to change over time – while some viruses will remain the same. When viruses like COVID-19 do change and mutate, they are closely monitored by public health officials. Among the most talked about variants of COVID-19 are the Alpha (B.1.1.7), Beta (B.1.351), Gamma (P.1) and Delta (B.1.617.2) variants – with the Delta variant currently accounting for the majority of COVID-19 cases in British Columbia and around the world. A variant of COVID-19 is deemed a VOC (Variant…
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COVID-19 Booster Vaccines
Along with other layers of protection such as physical distancing, good hand hygiene, staying home when sick, and mask-wearing, getting vaccinated against COVID-19 is one of the best measures in fighting this pandemic. If you’ve received two doses of an mRNA vaccine, it is highly recommended that you get a booster vaccine. Getting a COVID-19 booster vaccine can help maintain and lengthen your protection against the virus. “Why do I need a booster vaccine?” While vaccines are highly protective against the development of serious illness (or even death) as a result of COVID-19, studies have shown some waning of vaccine effectiveness over time – with an increase in susceptibility in…
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COVID-19 Q&A: Part 14
“What makes the Delta variant of COVID-19 more transmissible?” The viral load is roughly 1,000 times higher in those who contract this particular variant of COVID-19, making it twice as contagious as other variants. According to a study published in this summer, it was found that the Delta variant grows much more rapidly – and at higher levels – in people’s respiratory tracts, resulting in higher rates of illness and hospitalization. Furthermore, individuals who contract the Delta variant are infectious much sooner compared to the original strain of the virus. “Who’s most at risk of contracting the Delta variant?” Individuals who are not vaccinated or only partially vaccinated are most…
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British Columbia’s Vaccine Card
For almost two years, British Columbians have had to take certain measures to keep themselves, their families, and their communities safe from COVID-19 – including testing, physical distancing, limiting or avoiding non-essential services and travel, mask-wearing, and most recently, vaccines. Now, another layer of protection will soon be coming into effect. Starting September 13th, and by order of Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, British Columbians aged 12 and older will be required to show proof of at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccination (two doses by October 24th) if they want to access certain services, businesses, and events. “Where will I be required to show proof of vaccination?” You…
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COVID-19: Assessing Your Personal Risk, Setting Boundaries
When it comes to COVID-19, it is a virus that can affect individuals of all walks of life – regardless of age, gender, or where they live in the world. However, what we’ve also learned since living with this virus for the past 18 months is that there are certain individuals who may be at increased susceptibility for COVID-19 than others. While age is something that certainly plays a role (with those over the age of 60 being the most impacted by this virus with severe illness, hospitalization and death), we also know that individuals with certain pre-existing medical conditions are also more likely to contract COVID-19 and develop severe…