World Recognizes Nobel Winners, Continues Fighting COVID-19

The battle against COVID-19 continues with scientists working tirelessly to defeat this threating virus that has caused numerous losses. While the world grappled with the pandemic, institutions recognized other achievements that have contributed to people’s health and well-being.

Here is the Week in Health!

NATIONAL

-On Monday, Mexico saw the sharpest increase in daily COVID-19 cases and deaths since the pandemic began, with a total of 28,115 new cases and 2,879 deaths.

-According to the Ministry of Health, between March and August, about 94,000 COVID-19 tests failed due to logistic problems in temperature, transportation or packing, giving no results.

-A study published by Environmental Research found abundant air pollution nanoparticles in the brainstems of 186 children and youth from Mexico City who died suddenly between the ages of 11 months and 27 years. These particles are associated with abnormal proteins characteristic of diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's.

-The temporary hospital built in Centro Citibanamex in response to the COVID-19 overload might extend its stay until January. Built in April, the hospital was planned for a three-month period but it has been continuously treating Mexico City patients over the past six months. The initial budget assigned to this project has been spent but many companies and foundations have shown interest in backing it until December 2020, at least. 

INTERNATIONAL

-US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania Trump tested positive for COVID-19 last Friday. After the announcement, Trump entered Hospital Water Reed to receive treatment. Days later, the President said via Twitter: “Don’t be afraid of Covid. Don’t let it dominate your life.” He later shared a video where he stated that contracting the SARS-CoV-2 virus was “a blessing from God” and that he was feeling better than 20 years ago.

Current figures put the US’ COVID-19 death toll at 212,000, while the world has lost 1.06 million people to the disease.

-Scientists Harvey Alter, Charles Rice and Michael Houghton received the Nobel Medicine Prize in 2020 for discovering the Hepatitis C virus. This discovery has contributed to saving the lives of millions.

-Scientists Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer Doudna were awarded the Nobel Chemistry Prize in 2020 for their “genetic scissors,” a gene-editing tool that opens the door to potential treatments of hereditary diseases.

-The FDA announced a two-month follow up period for the volunteers that took a COVID-19 vaccine during Phase 3 trials to evaluate risks and benefits. According to Trump, there will be a vaccine before the Nov. 3 election but the FDA’s statement is in the way of that promise.

-Poland’s Minister of Health said the country faces a shortage of Remdesivir, a treatment that has been used on COVID-19 patients thanks to its positive effects on treating some of the symptoms. Over the last couple weeks, Europe has faced an increase in positive COVID-19 cases and the EU has been distributing Remdesivir among member countries. However, countries facing an increase of cases, such as Spain, are also experiencing treatment shortages.