COVID-19 pandemic led to stark rise in depressive and anxiety disorders globally in 2020, with women and younger people most affected.

First global estimates of impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in 2020 suggests additional 53 million cases of major depressive disorder and 76 million cases of anxiety disorders were due to the pandemic. Women and younger people were the most affected by major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders in 2020. Countries hit hardest…

Treatment of COVID-19 with fluvoxamine reduces risk of prolonged hospitalisation, finds largest trial to date

The fluvoxamine arm of the TOGETHER trial, a randomised adaptive platform trial investigating the efficacy of repurposed treatments for COVID-19 among high-risk Brazilian adult outpatients, is the largest trial of the SSRI fluvoxamine as a COVID-19 treatment to date. Of the 741 participants who were treated in an emergency setting for COVID-19 after receiving fluvoxamine,…

COVID-19 vaccines lower risk of infection with delta variant, but infection can still be passed on in household settings

Study of 621 people in the UK with mild COVID-19 infections found that people who received two vaccine doses could still pass the infection on to vaccinated and unvaccinated household members. The analysis found that 25% of vaccinated household contacts tested positive for COVID-19 compared with 38% of unvaccinated household contacts. The infectiousness of vaccinated…

Over 3000 Teenage Girls Impregnanted in Agago in one year

At least 3,925 teenage girls in Agago district have been impregnated in the last one year, statistics from the District Health Department has revealed.  A report released Monday shows that 3,925 out of 19,503 expectant mothers who visited various health facilities for antennal care services-ANC between 2020 to August 2021 were girls of 18 years and below.  The…

Astrazeneca is More Effective at Preventing Covid-19 Symptoms Months After the Jab

AstraZeneca vaccine seems to provide better protection compared to the other COVID-19 vaccines four months after inoculation.  Prof. Walter Jaoko, a Medical Microbiologist at the University of Nairobi told journalists attending a virtual East Africa Regional Science Café that scientists established this in an analysis to determine efficacy estimates of various COVID-19.    He says…

Canada donates nearly 2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to Uganda

Uganda on 13 November received 1,904,140 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, donated by the Canadian Government and shipped via the COVAX facility, —the world’s facility for universal access to COVID-19 vaccines. The arrival marks an important step towards the goal to ensure equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines globally. Uganda is targeting the vaccination of…

Africa’s death rates from COVID-19 infections are significantly higher in patients with diabetes

Africa’s sharp increase in diabetes is clashing with the COVID-19 pandemic and poor access to vaccines says the World Health Organsiation. Africa’s death rates from COVID-19 infections are significantly higher in patients with diabetes, according to a preliminary analysis which the World Health Organization (WHO) presented in advance of the World Diabetes Day on 14…