What's That Rash?

It was a massive question at the start of the pandemic: is Sweden's strategy of keeping things open a better way forward?Zoom ahead a few years, and it's still on the minds of Coronacast listeners.This week, we're digging into what happened in Sweden and we also answer a question about the psychological impact of the pandemic on teenagers.Everything and more, on this week's Coronacast.Ask a question here: https://yourquestions.abc.net.au/hc/en-au/requests/new?ticket_form_id=360002468535

Our immune system does an amazing job keeping us healthy - but it works in mysterious ways, especially when it comes into contact with novel viruses like SARS-CoV-2.We've talked a bit before about imprinting - the concept where the first time your immune system sees a virus can determine how it'll react to that virus in the future.And a recent study in the prestigious journal Science has found the Omicron variant could be taking advantage of that - possibly showing why people seem to be getting repeat Omicron infections.So what could this mean for public vaccination strategy and our risk of reinfection?

We've all heard that COVID spreads in clusters and sometimes the cluster comes from a single person who can infect nearly everyone around them.They're superspreaders and it's been opaque how much virus a superspreader is actually responsible for spreading around.Now a study has found that in a group of deliberately infected people, just two of them were responsible for nearly 90 percent of all the virus emitted - even though they only had mild symptoms.

Sometimes a study comes along that shows some amazing results and one published in The Lancet does just that.The study - which looked at people aged between 30 and 85 who were overweight or had obesity - has found a "globally available, low-cost, and safe" diabetes drug called metformin could drastically reduce the instances of long COVID by 40 per cent.Sadly they didn't find the same results with ivermectin (and they looked).So what could be going on? How could this old drug be so good at what it's doing? And how could this drug be used to help bring down long COVID cases?That's on this week's Coronacast - along with a clarification of NSW hospital data and antiviral prescriptions.Or watch us on YouTube here

Tegan has been playing away, making another show.It's called Quick Smart, and because you're such a loyal Coronacast listener, we'll give you a preview here. If you like it, please find the Quick Smart feed and subscribe! This first ep is about something weird that's happened in the last 12 months or so - the fact that all your friends - and perhaps you as well - have ADHD now.So where did this ADHD spike come from? Just how big is the gap between people seeking treatment and those able to give it? And if people are being overdiagnosed, or underdiagnosed, or diagnosed with the wrong thing... what are the risks?Check it out here!

The public health measures we relied on in years past to control COVID have now largely gone.Social distancing is no more and there aren't nearly as many masks around as there once was and we're grossly under-immunised.So what about antivirals? Could making them more available to more people be a way to reduce the amount of severe disease and limit the waves of COVID?Watch us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gE7At1S7tho

Long COVID has nearly been around as long as COVID itself. It wasn't long after the pandemic began before we started hearing about long haulers - people who were suffering from the virus long after testing negative.But even today, we still don't know the precise definitions of what exactly long COVID is and how many people suffer from it.But we are getting closer to a clearer picture. So why is it important to know?

In 2021, Aussies were queueing round the block quite literally for COVID-19 vaccines one and two.

As respiratory disease goes, COVID got us good. But it's important we don't forget the old school ones like flu and RSV.There's quite a bit of flu around at the moment too. It could even be described as a surge. So what's going on? Why are we being attacked by COVID, flu and RSV all at once?Also on today's show:* Remember that time a stranger made Norman stick something up his nose in an abandoned dungeon? * What's going on in China now that they've dropped COVID restrictions?

With the World Health Organisation (WHO) announcing that COVID-19 is no longer a "global health emergency", you'd be forgiven for thinking the pandemic's over.But alas, it isn't.According to WHO, the "emergency" phase is over but COVID will remain a persistent threat for a lot longer, saying the disease is still killing someone every three minutes.So how can COVID no longer be an emergency, but also remain so deadly?

The Omicron variant has been spinning off all sorts of sub variants during its 17 month long reign.The latest is XBB.1.16 - known also as Arcturus - and like its sibling sub variants doesn't seem to be all that different.But while Arcturus is busy trying to become the most popular sub variant of the month, we are undergoing another wave of infections. There are hundreds of people in hospitals around the country and it's continuing to affect how the health system operates.Also on the show: Is COVID going to the dogs?

The coronavirus pandemic might not be a 'pandemic' for much longerSo, looking ahead, experts have come together to propose countermeasures for future epidemics and pandemics. It's all about transparency and equity at a global scale. References:It is time for ambitious, transformational change to the epidemic countermeasures ecosystem

A team has analysed data out of China, proving the presence of animals in the Wuhan market capable of hosting SARS-CoV-2.

Another wave of COVID infections seems to be underway in parts of Australia, and NSW is leading the pack. The variant soup is getting more complex by the day — but luckily the dominant mutations don't seem to be causing more severe disease. Regardless, as more people get infected and re-infected, researchers are fast at work trying to determine what might protect people from long-term consequences. References: Adherence to Healthy Lifestyle Prior to Infection and Risk of Post-COVID-19 ConditionSevere COVID-19 outcomes by cardiovascular risk profile in England in 2020: a population-based cohort study

In 2022, Australia saw an estimated 12% increase in the number of deaths compared to expert predictions. More than half of those were due to COVID-19. And there are signs that even the deaths that couldn't be directly linked to COVID-19 are a result of the pandemic. This pattern isn't just playing out in Australia, but around the globe. So what are the driving factors, and what can be done to address them?References: Almost 20,000 excess deaths for 2022 in AustraliaOne-Year Adverse Outcomes Among US Adults With Post-COVID-19 Condition vs Those Without COVID-19 in a Large Commercial Insurance DatabaseLife expectancy changes since COVID-19

Since ATAGI updated its booster advice there have been lots of questions about why kids aren't able to get another jab. We discuss the reasoning behind the age limit, as well as some other vaccine-related questions from listeners. Also, a few controversial COVID topics... from Ivermectin to the US Energy Department's theory on where the virus came from. References:COVID-19 vaccines for childrenEffect of Higher-Dose Ivermectin for 6 Days vs Placebo on Time to Sustained Recovery in Outpatients With COVID-19Lab Leak Most Likely Origin of Covid-19 Pandemic, Energy Department Now Says

Antivirals are an important measure to prevent severe disease in vulnerable people with COVID-19. But there have been concerns antivirals could lead to rebound infections — the resurgence of viral load following the completion of the medication. So what do the latest studies say?Also, we speak to an expert informing the parliamentary inquiry into long COVID about how to best care for patients. Guest: Professor Tania SorrellUniversity of SydneyReferences: SARS-CoV-2 rebound with and without antiviralsViral burden rebound in hospitalised patients with COVID-19 receiving oral antivirals in Hong Kong: a population-wide retrospective cohort studySubmission—Inquiry into long COVID and repeated COVID infections

An old debate has been reignited after a review declared the effects of masks is uncertain and in need of further investigation. Meanwhile Sydney scientists have found a receptor that sticks to the coronavirus and pulls it away from lung cells, opening up potential treatment avenues. But for now, vaccines remain the best protection against severe disease. So when should you get your next booster? We answer some common questions. References: Physical interventions to interrupt or reduce the spread of respiratory virusesYes, masks reduce the risk of spreading COVID, despite a review saying they don'tFibroblast-expressed LRRC15 is a receptor for SARS-CoV-2 spike and controls antiviral and antifibrotic transcriptional programs

Australian adults will be able to get a fifth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine within a fortnight.People aged 18 and over who've not had a COVID vaccine or a positive case in the last six months will also be eligible for another shot.

The majority of Australians have received at least two doses of a COVID vaccine — and they've most likely caught the virus as well. New research suggests this hybrid immunity offers good protection against severe disease, although the risk of long COVID persists with even mild bouts of infection. There could soon be a simple model to predict how likely you are to recover well from COVID, or whether you'll go on to develop post-viral symptoms. Guest: Professor Jeremy NicholsonDirector, Australian National Phenome Centre, Health Futures InstituteReferences:Protective effectiveness of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection and hybrid immunity against the omicron variant and severe disease: a systematic review and meta-regressionA patient-centric modeling framework captures recovery from SARS-CoV-2 infection

It has been three years since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a global health emergency. The WHO isn't ready to downgrade the status of the pandemic, but the committee has agreed we're at a 'transition' point. Meanwhile an outbreak of influenza in mink has highlighted the need for greater animal-human disease surveillance.

Although we didn't begin this year with any lockdowns or border closures, the pandemic hasn't abated.In fact we're off to a worse start than we had in 2022. Australia surpassed 1,000 deaths a whole week earlier than it did last year. New subvariants are circulating fast. So what's changed? What's the best protection? And could sluggish surveillance be leaving us vulnerable?

What a year 2022 has been for COVID. We started with a new variant sweeping the world, heavy restrictions and border closures and we end with very few restrictions remaining.We also sadly end with millions not fully vaccinated, and an aged care system that is still battling the virus.So on the last Coronacast of the year, we go down the 2022 rabbit hole and try to make some predictions for 2023.

The number of new weekly COVID cases seems to be slowing, but sadly doesn't seem to be slowing fast enough to be free of the current wave by Christmas.Last year was a strong COVID Christmas, as the Omicron variant took over from Delta bringing thousands and thousands of new cases.This time, the wave will be smaller - but still noticeable.And we break down the big announcements from National Cabinet: PCR testing and the country's COVID strategy in 2023.

There's been a lot of discussion about the origins of COVID, especially on the question of did it come from a lab, did it form naturally - or maybe a mix of both.Well a new book called Dark Winter has tackled this question and has come to the conclusion that we better get better at identifying outbreaks - because sometimes they're intentional.While there's no direct evidence that COVID came from a lab leak, author and Professor Raina MacIntyre argues it is possible and some have been too quick to wave away the possibility.

Protests are breaking out across parts of China in response to the Chinese government zero COVID restrictions.The number of COVID cases has soared in China in recent weeks, rising at a similar rate to what happened in March this year.The outbreak was quickly brought under control, by the use of the Government's severe measures such as forced external quarantine and city wide lockdowns.But with widespread discontent and protests, it may prove harder to keep this outbreak under control. So is this the end of China's COVID zero?References:China Covid: Shocking protests are huge challenge for China's leaders - Stephen McDonellAssociations between COVID‐19 and hospitalisation with respiratory and non‐respiratory conditions: a record linkage study

There's hope that the current Omicron sub variant wave will be in decline again just in time for Christmas - but like everything COVID, it's hard to know for sure.Both case loads and hospitalisations due to COVID have continued to increase in the last week.The latest advice from state health authorities say that overseas experience suggests the current wave might pass relatively quickly, though they warn local conditions may mean it's different here.So what do we know about the latest wave? And is it better to have a quick one, or one that lasts for a longer time?

Another week, another big jump in COVID case numbers and rising admissions to hospitals.The next wave is well and truly underway, with the BA4 and BA5 sub variants rapidly being replaced by versions that are even more immune evasive.However, when Omicron turned up last year there were a variety of public health measures in place to try and slow infection rates. This time though, we've only got vaccination and an optional sense of public duty.So can we slow down the next wave, or is it coming in hard and fast?

Rapid-antigen tests promised so much: a quick, cheap and easy way to tell if you were COVID positive so you could make a decision to help protect yourself, family and community.But in reality, it's far more complicated. The tests were initially hard to come by, expensive for some and the rollout was patchy.And now, add to that the fact that the coronavirus has continued to evolve - making it hard to tell if RATs can even detect COVID.So on this week's Coronacast, should we give a rat about RATs anymore? And why is it important that the tests do as they say?

New sub-variants of Coronavirus are increasingly appearing in Government statistics and clinical breakdowns of the virus' spread.The BQ1 and XBB sub-variants of Omicron have surged overseas, and are also starting to pick up in Australia.It's likely that they'll take over the BA5 subvariant that's been dominant for the past several months.So what could these new variants bring and given they're likely to evade our immune systems, what could it mean for spread and severe disease?

For those keeping count, 2022 hasn't been a great year for animal virus outbreaks into human populations.A new study has suggested that the Omicron variant may have had a reservoir in mice.Also, there are warnings that the East Coast floods may see a rise in people infected with the Japanese encephalitis virus, and parts of Uganda are locked down to prevent an Ebola outbreak from spreading into cities and across borders.So what's going on and how can we make sense of it all?

After all big events, it's important to look back and think about what worked and what didn't.And one of the biggest events lately is COVID, and especially how Australia handled it.A group of researchers and experts have done just that, analyzing everything from the vaccine rollout to virus control measures to looking at what could be improved for the next pandemic.So what did we do well, and what could we have done better?

The first COVID booster that targets the Omicron variant has finally been introduced to Australia's vaccine rollout.The vaccine from Moderna targets the BA.1 Omicron subvariant, but that's no longer the dominant strain.Omicron has continued to evolve since the vaccine was updated, and the dominant strain is now BA5.So how well will the new vaccine work with BA5? And if you've already had 4 doses, why can't you get this one as your 5th?

The decision by National Cabinet to remove mandatory isolation for people testing positive to COVID-19 is seen by many as an "official" end to the pandemic.The period had already been reduced from two weeks to one week to 5 days, but soon it'll be gone entirely.It's one of the final public health controls that remained to try and slow the spread of the virus, and some experts say it'll lead to problems down the road.So for how long should we treat COVID differently?

Russia has been in the news for all the wrong reasons, and here's another concern to add to the list.Scientists are on the alert about the risk of another virus spilling over from animals to humans. This time it's Russian horseshoe bats and a coronavirus from the SARS family.It's known as Khosta 2 and while there has been no known human transmission so far, unlike Khosta 1 scientists say there is the possibility that it could occur.And it's not affected by vaccines for COVID-19.That's on this week's Cororonacast.Also on today's show:* Tracking new COVID variants: we look at 2.75.2

One of the mainstays over the past few years has been daily reporting of COVID cases, hospitalisations, ICUs and deaths.

When COVID hit, there were a whole lot of predictions about how many people would die.Not just of the virus itself, but the knock on effects from reduced care and other diseases.One of the latest attempts at working out the number of excess deaths is recently published and has taken a wide view of the population looking for trends.And while the group found that excess deaths from undiagnosed COVID is likely low in Australia, increased deaths from COVID-caused complications is beginning to show up.

It may not be long before Omicron specific vaccines are available in Australia, like they are elsewhere in the world.Last week the Therapeutic Goods Administration provisionally approved an Omicron variant specific vaccine, but we’re still waiting on ATAGI to recommend its use.So with it likely to be available soon, is it worth waiting for if you’re due for your booster or should you just get what’s available now?Also on today’s show:* Snot and the inner parts of your nose - could this be the key to finally ending the pandemic?

Back at the start of the pandemic, if you tested positive for COVID - or even if you were a contact - you were looking at two weeks of isolation. These days, that's been downgraded to a week, and contacts are generally free to go about their normal life. But while COVID is still undeniably a health risk, having masses of people undergoing mandatory isolation takes its own toll. So should compulsory isolation be shortened or even scrapped altogether?Also on today's show:* Are vaccination requirements still useful? * Moderna sues Pfizer/BioNTech* Didn't I see Norman out and about without a mask on the other day?

It seems that COVID cases in the latest wave have indeed peaked, and all things across the usual pandemic metrics are improving.It's the best COVID caseload we've had since Omicron came into our lives late last year.So has BA5 burnt itself out or is this just a small respite? And are we due for another variant?Also on today's show:* How is COVID associated with increased risks of neurological and psychiatric conditions?* Is monkeypox getting away from us?

Pretty much ever since the pandemic began, we've been told to socially distance by at least 1.5 meters if possible to reduce the chances of infection.But as the science is gathered on how much viral load flows from an infected person, how relevant is that recommendation? Was it even correct in the first place?Well a new - yet to be peer reviewed - study has attempted to explain just how much virus is in one's exhaled breath aerosols.And what does this mean for how the virus is spread?

Is it finally time to say a big see ya later to the latest B5 COVID wave?The Omicron family has already brought us several waves - the first at the start of the year when it muscled out Delta and the most recent big one via B5.But there are signs that it is finally slowing down. Cases are dropping and there are small, but positive, signs that deaths are also falling.So while it may be the end of the worst of B5, what could be next?

As more and more people become infected with COVID-19, more and more people are also going to be reinfected.But there's another type of reinfection known as a rebound infection, which can happen in the days after you've recovered.The US President Joe Biden tested positive again this week for COVID-19 only a few days after he was cleared following his treatment with antiviral medication Paxlovid.So what could be going on? How common are rebound infections and could it extend to people who don't take the drugs also being reinfected?

When the pandemic started we were so worried about surfaces. But it turned out that wasn't so much of a concern.The big thing was the very air we breathe.But as Governments largely scale back on mandates and restrictions, experts are urging more be done on things that can prevent spread of the virusAnd the big target is better ventilation.On today's special Coronacast, Tegan Taylor takes a look around to see how bad the air is in everyday life.

BA5 sure is making itself well known, and is responsible for soaring infection and reinfection rates right across the country.So how does it compare in infectiousness to other diseases? Well working that out is a difficult question.It's partly down to changing variables like vaccination and controls, but also changes to the virus itself.So on this week's Coronacast, why it doesn't really matter if BA5 is as infectious as measles - it's still doing a lot of damage.Also on today's show:* Enough about BA5 - what about BA2.75? Bring on the 'Centaurus' talk!* An update on pregnancy and COVID-19* And BA5 in schools - will a booster help?cvp_20220727_episode477_ba5_infectious.mp313286016830000

It's been a month since Coronacast took a break, and since then a lot has changed.The BA4 and 5 variants have become dominant, and immunologists are starting to worry about the state of play.Firstly, BA4 and 5 are acting a bit like new variants. They're evading vaccines and prior infections even more than original Omicron and there's no sign they're slowing down.And secondly, COVID case loads are surging and hospitals are feeling the pressure.So what else has changed over the last month, and what's the rest of winter looking like?Also on today's show:* I'm suddenly eligible for a fourth dose. Do I bother getting it? * Can you get the 2nd booster shot 28 days after having COVID (in line with information that re-infection can occur after 28 days), or is it still best to wait the 3 months, and if so, why is it best to wait?* I've had two AstraZeneca and one Moderna shots. What should I have as my fourth dose?

There's been a bunch of good news this week about kids and COVID, including kids under 5 moving a touch closer to become eligible for vaccinationA Scandanavian study has shown that before babies are born, they get an immune benefit from their vaccinated mother. Another study has looked at a rare condition that can happen in kids after COVID, called MIS-C, and found vaccinated kids are way more protected from it And also both Pfizer and Moderna have moved slightly closer to being registered for kids under 5 in the USA.Also on today's show:* Are there rapid tests available to test for influenza?* I've noticed that cases seem to be falling. Is it just that it's being under reported? I haven't heard any mention of it in the media but it's the opposite of what I expected as we head into winter.AND WE'LL BE TAKING A BREAK FOR THE NEXT MONTH BECAUSE NORMAN IS ON HOLIDAYS. SO KEEP AN EYE ON THE FEED AND WE'LL BE BACK SOON.

This time last year, Australia's vaccination program was getting underway and many were coming forward for their first or second shots.But Australia's haven't embraced the third dose as quickly or in as large numbers.The third dose is vital for the best protection against disease, and is recommended for the majority of Australians.So why aren't people coming forward as quickly?Also on today's show:* Is it possible that we may have caught COVID without realising it?* Are there instances of assumed second COVID infections that are actually just relapses?

Since the variant we now know as Omicron burst onto the scene late last year, it's proved to be a shapeshifter, spawning no fewer than five subvariants so far. Each have their own characteristics, but which is the most likely to become the dominant strain?There's finally enough data around to start making a comparison - so which subvariant will rule them all, what features give it the advantage, and what possible tools we might use to fight it?Also on today's show:* If I'm triple vaccinated and COVID is everywhere, could I have encountered it and fought it off, making me even more immune now?* What's the latest on the scary, mysterious hepatitis that's been reported in kids?

While COVID continues to ravage the world, it's far from the only virus that's affecting humans at the moment.Cases of flu are soaring in Australia, and the Queensland Government is worried enough about it that it's offering all Queenslanders a free flu vaccination.And to add to that is a new outbreak of monkeypox in Europe and North America with 100 suspected and confirmed cases so far, though cases have not been severe.So what is Monkeypox, could it end up like COVID and how worried should we be?