The sanctuary of the Flushing Free Synagogue, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
FROM THE CHIEF LONG COVID OFFICER ON THE 1,668TH DAY OF THE PANDEMIC
Long Covid Art Project, Evacuation of the Disabled, Happy New Year
This week’s issue is being released on Sunday, marking the 1,670th day of the pandemic. Thursday evening heralded the beginning of Rosh Hashanah, or Rosch ha-Schana as it’s called in my native language. During significant holidays, I find myself becoming more observant, especially because these days mark a time when it is believed that the Almighty determines who will thrive and who will face challenges in the coming year. This Rosh Hashanah on the Jewish calendar marks the start of the year 5785.
Therefore, I wish all readers, regardless of their faith, a joyful and healthy New Year. Since the world’s three main religions are Abrahamic, this message resonates universally. We can collectively celebrate the arrival of a new Jewish New Year and reflect on the creation of the world—regardless of whether one subscribes to the biblical creation narrative.
We received significant feedback regarding our article “The Lessons of Grenfell,” which discussed the evacuation of individuals with disabilities. In light of climate change, it’s increasingly uncertain where disasters might strike, making it complicated to advise someone with evacuation challenges to relocate—but, as we face an unpredictable future, such recommendations may not be feasible at all.
Moreover, through various discussions, we have learned that many individuals suffering from Long Covid have turned to expressive arts to convey their experiences. If you resonate with this, or wish to create and share a work of art—be it a drawing, poem, photograph, or piece of music—your creativity can help illuminate the struggles and victories of those impacted by Long Covid. For more information, please visit www.longcovidartproject.com.
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In today’s news coverage, a study indicates that small doses of lithium aspartate might benefit Long Covid patients. Another study found similarities between individuals with Long Covid-related lung problems and those with pulmonary fibrosis. Additionally, a report from the state of Utah suggests that one in twelve residents is experiencing Long Covid.
LONG COVID
Recent research suggests that small doses of lithium may assist Long Covid patients. The study, titled “Lithium Aspartate for Long Covid Fatigue and Cognitive Dysfunction: A Randomized Clinical Trial,” was conducted at the University at Buffalo. It discovered that low doses of lithium aspartate did not effectively alleviate symptoms like fatigue and brain fog. However, follow-up studies suggested that higher doses might be beneficial.
Dr. Thomas J. Guttuso, Jr., a professor of neurology at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at UB and a physician with UBMD Neurology, noted, “It’s a negative study with a positive twist.” He reported that nine out of ten Long Covid patients given lithium aspartate in doses of 5 to 15 mg daily experienced significant improvements in fatigue and brain fog. Despite this, the randomized clinical study did not yield the same results. When Dr. Guttuso continued treatment with three participants at doses of 40 to 45 mg, those patients did report improvements in their symptoms.
“This is a very small number of patients, so these outcomes can only be viewed as preliminary,” he added. “It might be possible that achieving higher blood levels of lithium could help mitigate fatigue and brain fog in Long Covid.”
Researchers at Northwestern University focusing on Long Covid have made a significant discovery that may lead to potential treatments for thousands grappling with pulmonary symptoms, such as persistent coughs, after contracting SARS-CoV-2.
Dr. Marc Sala, a pulmonologist and co-director of the Comprehensive Covid Center at Northwestern, shared that he and his team identified a persistent infiltration of white blood cells, including neutrophils and monocytes, into the lungs of patients showing radiographic abnormalities. This observation suggests that the same biological mechanisms causing lung injuries related to pulmonary fibrosis are present in the study participants.
“This common understanding could aid in developing treatments for Long Covid as it continues to evolve and inform our understanding of pulmonary fibrosis stemming from various conditions,” Dr. Sala stated during the study’s announcement.
A new report indicates that 1 in 12 Utah residents is currently affected by Long Covid, according to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services.
The report accurately states, “It can significantly impact a person’s quality of life and well-being. Diagnosing Long Covid is challenging as there is no straightforward test or validated screening tool. Treatment options are limited and do not guarantee recovery.”
The report also included artistic expressions created by Long Covid patients that capture their experiences with the condition.
Blake Bockholt, a former educator and long-distance runner who is now wheelchair-bound, attended the press conference announcing the findings. He explained to the Utah News Dispatch, “It’s one thing to have an injury, knowing that recovery is possible. It’s entirely different to lack the energy to participate in life while others engage in activities you long to do. You find yourself trapped in your body and mind, leading to mental health crises.”
UNITED STATES
A preclinical study suggests that a drug-free nasal spray known as a Pathogen Capture and Neutralizing Spray (PCANS) could shield users from various airborne viruses. By using a multi-modal approach, the spray coats the nasal cavity, capturing large respiratory droplets and forming a physical barrier against multiple viruses and bacteria while effectively neutralizing them with over 99.99% efficiency.
The developers of PCANS, Akita Biosciences, have branded the nasal spray as Profi. This peer-reviewed study, “Toward a Radically Simple Multi-Modal Nasal Spray for Preventing Respiratory Infections,” was published in the journal Advanced Materials.
As the respiratory virus season is upon us, individuals are encouraged to get their vaccinations for coronavirus and influenza. Given that this season typically peaks between December and March, receiving vaccinations in October can offer protection throughout.
The owner of a Chicago-based laboratory company that facilitated coronavirus testing from February 2021 to February 2022 submitted claims to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for tests that were never conducted. Zishan Alvi, owner of LabElite and who has now pleaded guilty to multiple charges, reportedly expedited PCR test results for an additional fee, even releasing negative results without actually testing the specimens or yielding inconclusive outcomes.
Alvi, whose first name translates to “princely” in Arabic, also funneled the illegally obtained funds from LabElite to his personal account, using them to buy cars and invest in stocks and cryptocurrency. He faces a potential 20-year prison sentence.
GLOBAL
The border closures between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland in the early years of the pandemic significantly impacted hospital staff and patients at Altnagelvin Hospital near the Londonderry border. Dr. Catherine McDonnell, the former medical director of the Western Health Trust, shared this testimony with the UK Covid Inquiry. She remarked that the hospital’s location, straddling two jurisdictions with differing regulations and lockdown timelines, contributed to a surge in Covid-19 cases in the northwest.
The Inquiry Board is currently investigating the pandemic’s effects on the healthcare systems across the four nations of the United Kingdom.
OTHER HEALTHCARE NEWS
California dairy farms are reporting increasing deaths as the H5N1 avian flu spreads at a more alarming rate than expected. Initially, dairy operators were informed to anticipate a mortality rate below 2%, but recent data suggests death rates between 10% and 15% among infected cattle, according to veterinarians and farmers, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. Additionally, state health officials have confirmed two suspected cases of H5N1 infections among dairy workers in Tulare County, the largest dairy-producing area in the U.S.
Hurricane Helene has resulted in significant flooding at a Baxter International factory in Marion, North Carolina, which is a major supplier of intravenous fluids in the United States. Consequently, many hospitals may receive only 40% of their usual orders and will have to ration these fluids, leading to cutbacks in elective surgeries in some cases. Baxter has committed to restoring operations at the facility but has not provided a specific timeline for recovery.
The World Health Organization has authorized Abbott Laboratories’ monkeypox diagnostic test for emergency use, marking the first such approval in its efforts to enhance testing capabilities in regions confronting outbreaks of the disease.
PANDEMIC STATISTICS
GLOBAL FIGURES AT A GLANCE
As of September 15, 2024, the total number of coronavirus cases worldwide since the pandemic began has reached 776,281,230, with an increase of 76,090 cases over the past week, according to data from KFF, a non-partisan health research organization.
The cumulative death toll now stands at 7,065,880, reflecting an increase of 1,500 deaths during the same period, and a week-over-week rise of 386 deaths.
CURRENT U.S. COVID STATISTICS AT A GLANCE
In the United States, for the week ending September 21, 2024, the test positivity rate, as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on September 23, was 11.6%, a decline of 2.3 percentage points from the previous week. Furthermore, data as of September 28, 2024, indicated that 1.1% of emergency room visits were classified as SARS-CoV-2 diagnoses, down from 1.7% the week before.
As of September 14, 2024, the rate of hospital admissions in the U.S. due to SARS-CoV-2 stood at 3.7 per 100,000 residents, a decrease from 4 in the prior week. Additionally, as of September 24, the mortality rate associated with SARS-CoV-2 was recorded at 1.9%, slightly down from the previous figure of 2.0%.
VACCINATION SPOTLIGHT
At present, approximately 70.6% of the global population has received at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine, according to Our World in Data. To date, 13.58 billion vaccine doses have been administered worldwide, with a seven-day average of less than 0.01 doses per million individuals as of August 12, 2024. Please note that this data has not yet been updated.
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Anna Breuer contributed reporting to this issue.
The Long Covid Monitor is a publication of the Center for Long Covid Research. www.longcov.org
If you are experiencing Long Covid and need someone to talk to, please reach out to the Long Covid Patient Peer Counseling Phone Line, known as HOPELINE. This is a free, confidential support service.
☏ 844 LONGCOV (844 566-4268)
(Photo: Accura Media Group)
