Notices by Denis - The COVID info guy - (deniscovidinfoguy@aus.social)

USA: The NB.1.8.1 "Nimbus" subvariant is now dominant in the US, causing about 43% of COVID cases as of late June 2026.

At the same time, multiple states in the South and West are experiencing an uptick in transmission, reporting "high" or "very high" viral levels in community wastewater.

Source: https://www.medicaldaily.com/covid-wastewater-high-states-nb181-nimbus-variant-summer-2026-high-risk-groups-476000

A new study links COVID-19 infection to an increased risk of Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) up to 4.5 years post-infection.

Those who developed long-COVID OSA also face higher risks of severe cardiovascular issues, specifically heart failure and pulmonary hypertension.

Source: https://archive.md/4mBRw

Study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-026-56469-7

A blocked CDC study on COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness has been published in JAMA Network Open, a well-established medical journal. The study found the COVID-19 vaccination cut winter emergency department visits and hospitalisations by around 50%.

Source: https://www.phillyvoice.com/cdc-covid-19-vaccine-study-jama/

Study: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2850668?resultClick=3

"Dementia drug shows promise for long COVID symptoms, Japan-led study finds."

A new study finds the dementia drug Donepezil helps treat Long COVID fatigue and depression. The virus triggers a protein that drops brain acetylcholine; donepezil restores it to clear brain inflammation and symptoms.

Source: https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20260623/p2a/00m/0li/018000c

Study: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pharmacology/articles/10.3389/fphar.2026.1807203/full

A study of 349 children and adolescents in Mexico found a 11.8% long COVID prevalence rate.

The research highlighted two distinct categories of lingering symptoms:

🔹 Persistence Symptoms: The most frequent issues were a lingering cough (50%) and rhinorrhea/runny nose (15.4%).

🔹 Post-COVID Conditions: The most common complaints were myalgia/muscle pain (33.3%), asthenia/weakness (26.7%), irritability (26.7%), and constipation (20%)

Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/pediatrics/articles/10.3389/fped.2026.1691052/full?utm_source=F-NTF&utm_medium=EMLX&utm_campaign=PRD_FEOPS_20170000_ARTICLE

Diphtheria in Australia – Epidemiological update – 1 June 2026

Published: 5 June 2026

🔹In 2026, Australia has recorded 288 diphtheria cases

🔹Over the past fortnight 53 total cases were notified

🔹NT: 168 cases, WA: 111 cases, SA: 6 cases, QLD: 3 cases

Source: https://www.cdc.gov.au/resources/publications/diphtheria-australia-epidemiological-update-1-june-2026

New Immune System Enhancer Extends COVID-19 Vaccine Protection In Animal Models.

"Pairing COVID-19 mRNA vaccines with an immune system enhancer, known as an adjuvant, could make the vaccines more effective and longer-lasting, according to new research led by Harvard Medical School researchers at Boston Children’s Hospital."

Source: https://hms.harvard.edu/news/new-immune-system-enhancer-extends-covid-19-vaccine-protection-animal-models

Study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41590-026-02517-3

🇦🇺Australia’s winter illness season is back – what viruses are prevalent this year and when should you get vaccinated?

As of 4 June:

🔹33,559 influenza cases
🔹40,054 COVID-19 cases
🔹50,572 cases of RSV

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jun/07/australia-flu-season-winter-illnesses-influenza-rsv-covid-cases-which-viruses-are-around-vaccination-when-should-you-get-vaccinated

An 11-year-old named Sebb is raising money to thank the medical team who saved his life. Back in 2024, he ended up in an induced coma due to a rare post-COVID complication called PIMS-TS. The condition triggered severe, widespread inflammation that enlarged his organs and affected his heart.

Source: https://archive.md/9c2na

@hellomiakoda

By taking a SARS-CoV-2 antibody (serology) blood test.

Meet the ‘superdodgers’: The few who never had COVID

Researchers say there’s a big difference between people who think they’ve never had COVID and those who truly haven’t. Data suggest only 2–3% of people worldwide may have avoided infection, with many unnoticed cases likely due to mild or asymptomatic illness.

Source: https://archive.md/nn9Eq

Canada: "The long shadow of long COVID"

"Years after infection, thousands — possibly millions — of Canadians remain unable to return to the lives they once knew"

Government data from June 2023 estimates that 2.1 million Canadians experience long COVID symptoms. No data has been collected since that period.

Source: https://archive.md/LfFH3

"Could COVID Increase Your Risk for HPV-Related Cancers?"

A study of 4.8 million women found that contracting COVID-19 in 2020 was linked to a higher risk of developing HPV-driven cancers 3 years later.

Across all age groups, SARS-CoV-2 was associated with elevated rates of cervical, anal, and vulvar cancers.

131% increased risk for vaginal cancer
67% increased risk for cervical cancer
98% increased risk for vulvar
92% increased risk for anal
78% increased risk for oropharyngeal carcinoma in situ(the earliest form of cancer)

Source: https://www.theflowspace.com/physical-health/prevention-longevity/covid-hpv-related-cancer-risk-3034007/

Study: https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12672-025-03403-4

USA: The FDA has approved Ensitrelvir (Xocova), a new oral antiviral medicine designed to prevent COVID-19 infection. It is cleared for use in adults and children 12 years of age and older who have recently been exposed to the virus.

Source: https://archive.md/i1J8n

USA: "Highly Contagious Vomiting Bug Spreading Across the U.S."

"Multiple regions of the U.S. have encountered outbreaks of Norovirus, according to a new report by NBC News"

🔹According to the CDC, 1,194 Norovirus outbreaks were reported from August 1, 2025 to May 7, 2026.

Source: https://archive.md/fxVtd

By The Vertlartnic:

"Scientists Baffled Why More Kids Are Off Sick During Pandemic That Makes Kids More Likely To Be Off Sick"

Source: https://bsky.app/profile/thev.bsky.social/post/3mmqwibh46s2j

South Australian Health Minister Blair Boyer faced intense backlash and criticism from anti-vaxxers on social media after posting a photo of himself receiving a COVID-19 booster shot on Facebook.

“It’s a quick, easy, painless and free way to keep you and your loved ones safe, especially as we are heading into winter.”

Source: https://archive.md/JJF2I

"54 Viruses Found In Building Dust: It Could Change How We Track Outbreaks"

Researchers at The Ohio State University found indoor dust from building vacuum systems can detect dozens of viruses at once, including SARS-CoV-2, flu and norovirus, helping monitor outbreaks indoors.

Source: https://studyfinds.com/viruses-in-building-dust/

Study: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0360132326003367

"LeAnn Rimes was diagnosed with COVID-19 and subsequently laryngitis while on tour, which caused damage to her throat and vocal cords."

"Lately, I've been moving a bit slower due to this lingering illness... My energy is returning, even though my throat is still an inflamed, swollen fireball"

She said of long covid, "This whole illness has been incredibly humbling. One minute you're moving through your routines, checking boxes, handling what's next…and the next, your body simply says, 'No more.' No powering through...no performing…no pretending you're fine…just rawness."

Source: https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/music/articles/leann-rimes-reveals-her-struggles-030344243.html?soc_src=social-sh&soc_trk=tw&tsrc=twtr

"A dad who lost his sense of taste and smell for years after catching Covid says both have been restored thanks to a specially developed chewing gum trial at the University of Nottingham in the UK."

"A 12-week study found that using super-strength flavoured chewing gums (spicy, minty, sour, and sweet) helps rebuild brain connections linked to taste and smell. Following the trial, 67% of participants reported improved smell and 83% saw improvements in taste."

Source: https://discover.swns.com/2026/05/chewing-gum-restores-dads-taste-and-smell-years-after-covid/