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The World Health Organization (WHO) has designated the COVID variant
JN.1 as a "variant of interest." Previously classified under its parent strain
BA.2.86, JN.1 joins other Omicron subvariants on the list.
Current
evidence suggests existing tests, vaccines, and treatments remain
effective against JN.1, and the public health risk is considered low, though
caution is urged during holiday gatherings.
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Respiratory virus activity is surging in the United States, with increasing
COVID-19 hospitalizations, multisystem inflammatory syndrome in
children (MIS-C) cases, and growing influenza and respiratory syncytial
virus (RSV) activity, warns the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC). The CDC emphasizes the urgency of boosting
vaccination coverage to mitigate the impact of respiratory diseases,
especially as hospitalizations for flu and RSV are rising faster than COVID-19,
and some regions already experience nearly full hospital beds for
children compared to the same time last year.
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Dengue is spreading at unprecedented levels in the Western
Hemisphere, with more than 4 million reported cases so far this year,
surpassing records set in 2019. Rising temperatures and urbanization are
identified as key factors accelerating the spread of the virus, with experts
warning of the consequences for public health, healthcare systems, and
the potential for more severe dengue cases due to repeated infections.
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A patient from New York was billed $660 for a telehealth visit for sinus
congestion through Mount Sinai's personal record app. Despite having
insurance coverage through Empire BlueCross BlueShield, the visit was
deemed an out-of-network service, resulting in the insurer paying nothing.
The billing puzzle highlights the complexities and potential surprises
associated with telehealth billing, urging patients to be vigilant and ask
about network status before virtual visits.
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An estimated 50,000 students are still missing from any kind of U.S.
school, according to an Associated Press analysis of fall 2022 enrollment
data and U.S. Census data in 22 states, plus Washington, D.C. The
reasons for students leaving during the pandemic are diverse, including
homelessness, loss of interest, mental health struggles, work
responsibilities, and challenges with online learning.
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