COVID cases rise in 15 states; variant fuels outbreak in Kentucky nursing home
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 22, 2021
The average U.S. case rate is falling, but almost a third of states have seen an increase, and one Kentucky facility’s outbreak shows how new COVID-19 variants and vaccination play a role in continued...
Medicare eligibility comes with increase in tooth loss, Harvard study reveals
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 10, 2023
When patients become eligible for Medicare coverage, restorative dental care immediately falls and tooth loss increases, a new study from Harvard University and Brigham and Women’s Hospital has found.
Two years into pandemic, we’re better prepared to fight off virus variants
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 02, 2021
Despite the threat of the quickly spreading and highly mutated omicron coronavirus variant — which has just landed in the U.S. — we are safer than we were before the pandemic, some experts say.
FDA allows injections, reduced dose of COVID monoclonal antibody therapy
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 08, 2021
An effective but arguably underused COVID-19 monoclonal antibody therapy now may be more accessible for long-term care facilities that aren’t equipped to deliver intravenous infusions.
Feds wait for lowered vaccine efficacy to recommend COVID-19 booster shots
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 22, 2021
COVID-19 vaccine booster shots will not be necessary until mRNA vaccines become less effective, federal health officials say. But immunocompromised Americans are potential near-term recipients, they told...
Moderately intense physical activity key to cutting dementia risk: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 01, 2023
For each additional 31 minutes per day of moderate-to-vigorous activity, there is 21% lower risk of dementia for senior women, researchers report.
CDC says COVID-19 vaccine boosters not yet necessary, while Pfizer seeks approval for third dose
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 12, 2021
Fully vaccinated Americans do not need a COVID-19 booster shot at this time, according to federal health officials. But Pfizer has asked to offer a third dose of its current vaccine and is developing an...
Long-term care residents, staff may top list for COVID boosters: CDC advisers
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 28, 2021
Most residents were vaccinated early, and time from vaccination plays into waning effectiveness, CDC advisers say. What’s more, this population already requires special considerations for other vaccines....
Boosters on the way: LTC residents, healthcare workers may top fed’s list after CDC approves 3rd shot
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 16, 2021
The Biden administration has secured 100 million COVID-19 vaccine doses as part of a strategy to provide additional shots to already vaccinated priority groups this fall, investigators have been told....
Large VA study reveals ease of COVID-19 transmission among unvaccinated healthcare staff
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 07, 2021
Investigators found nearly 20 times the rate of COVID-19 infection in unvaccinated healthcare staff, plus signs that transmission clusters were linked to those workers.