Journal of Urgent Care Medicine

Adults With COVID-19 Also Report Other New Health Conditions

A population-based Canadian study found SARS-CoV-2 infection was associated with subsequent new diagnoses of certain self-reported health conditions among adults. Compared with adults reporting no infections, those reporting 2 or more bouts of COVID-19 had 76% greater adjusted odds of receiving a new health diagnosis overall (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=1.76; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12–2.76), including newly diagnosed respiratory conditions (aOR=5.03) and back problems (aOR=3.79), as published in Canada Communicable Disease Report. The study grouped …

COVID Positivity Rates Increase Just As Seasonal Vaccines Receive Approval

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved 4 updated 2026–2027 COVID-19 vaccines for the upcoming respiratory virus season. All of the new formulations have been updated for XFG variant, according to FDA, and all follow the somewhat tighter age and risk restrictions that were introduced in 2025. Prior to the 2024–2025 season, vaccination was broadly recommended for everyone aged 6 months and older. Now, a healthy 50-year-old with no underlying risk factor, for example, …

Smart Ring With AI Model Predicts Viral Respiratory Infection

It seems that artificial intelligence (AI) models can detect early acute systemic inflammation in response to viral respiratory tract infections (VRTIs) through biometric data collected from wearable devices, according to a small study published in Lancet Digital Health. In the prospective study, 55 healthy adults aged 18–59 years were monitored before and after receiving a live attenuated influenza vaccine, which simulated real-world infection. Participants continuously wore a smart ring, smart watch, and smart shirt, which …

Active People Had Lower Odds of COVID-19 Infection

A study in JAMA Network Open found people who engaged in higher levels of physical activity before the pandemic experienced lower odds of developing COVID-19 and related hospitalizations from May 2020 through May 2022. In studying patients 45 years or older with 5,890 cases of COVID-19 and 626 hospitalizations, researchers found those who achieved at least 7.5 hours per week of physical activity pre pandemic had significantly reduced odds of COVID-19 diagnosis and hospitalization compared …

JN.1 Notorious For High Infection Rates But Less Illness Severity

The JN.1 variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus appears to be more contagious than other members of the Omicron family, driving indicators of infection levels and COVID-19 illness. Even so, this currently circulating variant seems to produce a more mild illness with less need for medical attention. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as reported in JAMA Network shows emergency department visits for COVID-19 are down 21% this year, and the percentage of …

A Tale of Two Viruses: Rapid Flu and COVID-19 Tests in the Urgent Care Setting

JUCM has been fortunate to be on the forefront of research on SARS-CoV-2, from a headline-making article entitled Chest X-Ray Findings in 636 Ambulatory Patients with COVID-19 Presenting to an Urgent Care Center: A Normal Chest X-Ray Is No Guarantee way back in May 2020 right through this issue. The latest COVID research article we’re pleased to present focuses on infection rates of influenza type A/B and COVID in a federal qualified healthcare center in …

SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza Type A/B Infection Rates: A Report of a Federal Qualified Health Care Center-Urgent Care Department During Omicron Wave In Rhode Island

Urgent message: Influenza types A and B have demonstrated a pattern that increases patient volumes in urgent care centers during “flu season.” But the COVID-19 virus, including its different variants, continues to have different patterns throughout multiple waves and has shown to overcome/oppress other predictable viruses. Cesar Mora Jaramillo, MD, FAAFP, FCUCM Citation: Jaramillo CM. SARS-CoV-2 and influenza type A/B Infection rates: a report of a federal qualified health care center-urgent care department during Omicron …

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