Surge in COVID Deaths; Moderna Vax Contaminant; FDA’s Vaping Crackdown

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COVID-related deaths in the U.S. increased by 317% over the past 7 weeks. (ABC News)

Without a change in behavior — increased use of facemasks, staying home when sick, vaccination — another 100,000 COVID deaths could occur by December 1. (AP)

As of about 8 a.m. EDT, the unofficial COVID-19 toll in the U.S. reached 38,387,116 cases and 633,591 deaths, increases of 161,267 and 1,308, respectively, from the same time yesterday.

Calling dissent the “foundation of democracy,” Reddit rejected a request by moderators of a pro-vaccine forum to do more to combat COVID-19 disinformation. (CNN)

COVID cases in South Dakota have risen almost sixfold in the 2 weeks since the annual motorcycle rally in the town of Sturgis. (NBC News)

Japan suspended use of 1.63 million doses of Moderna’s COVID vaccine, pending an investigation into contaminants — possibly metallic particles — found in several vials. (Reuters)

A Houston physician explains why he continues to give low-dose ivermectin to all of his COVID-19 patients, despite an FDA warning of the potential hazards. (Houston Chronicle)

The COVID pandemic has fueled a decline in routine childhood immunizations in some parts of the country, which could create large pockets of increased vulnerability to diphtheria, meningitis, and other communicable diseases. (NPR)

Older teenagers have the highest COVID-19 caseload among children in the U.S. (CNN)

An opponent of facemask and vaccine mandates, Wisconsin state Sen. Andre Jacque (R) has been placed on a ventilator after developing COVID-associated pneumonia. (AP)

The pandemic has created a shortage of the anti-inflammatory drug tocilizumab (Actemra), as use of the drug to treat COVID-19 has created a scarcity for patients with arthritis, lupus, and other conditions. (CNN)

Results of an FDA survey of 167 processed foods showed that only three contained traces of potentially harmful per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), including only one of 94 foods representative of the typical American diet.

The agency also said it denied applications for 55,000 flavored vaping products that failed to show a benefit to the public’s health — any existing products will need to be removed from the market.

Can virtual reality help reduce the damaging effects of brain injuries? (Reuters)

Argentine prosecutors have charged President Alberto Fernandez with violating a COVID-19 quarantine last year to host a birthday party. (Reuters)

As Labor Day cookouts are on the horizon, here’s some data to chew on: Eating a single hot dog could shorten your life expectancy by 36 minutes. (CNN)