Seven-month study supports benefits of COVID-19 antivirals in seniors
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 15, 2022
With monoclonal antibodies no longer effective against newer strains of SARS-CoV-2, the findings support prescribing the antiviral pill Paxlovid to eligible patients, doctors say.
Omicron remains lethal in the older and unvaccinated, former CDC chief warns
Mar 23, 2022
The next wave of COVID-19 is on its way and unvaccinated elders are at risk of being hit hard, according to former CDC director Tom Frieden, M.D. “If we learn quickly and act quickly, we can outmaneuver...
CMS opens visitation to nursing homes after year of isolation
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 11, 2021
“Facilities should allow responsible indoor visitation at all times” — no matter the vaccination status of resident or visitor, the agency now says. Its action follows the remarkable, apparent...
Docs push for new COVID-19 funding as signs point to rebound in U.S. omicron cases
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 17, 2022
The alternative is to risk leaving patients without access to needed vaccines, treatments and testing, the American College of Physicians has told Congress.
Fed’s booster OK too late? Nursing home loses 8 to coronavirus outbreak this fall
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 17, 2021
A Connecticut nursing home has weathered a facility-wide COVID-19 outbreak that has sickened 89 residents and staff. Booster shots were not yet authorized when the first cases appeared, the operator reports.
SavaSeniorCare to drop 48 facilities, aims to increase worker pay and benefits
By
Danielle Brown
Nov 04, 2020
In a bid to boost employee pay and benefits, hire infection preventionists and invest more in doctors, technology and equipment, SavaSeniorCare on Tuesday announced it will be acting to get out of 48 skilled...
Is the doctor in? Improve nursing homes with one easy stroke
By
Kenneth Lehmann
Apr 14, 2021
Many nursing home COVID-19 patients would have benefitted from daily, reimbursed-for physician visits in their skilled nursing facilities, but they were not entitled to them. With an epic crisis...
‘Already skeptical’ nursing home workers may need persuading after J&J shots resume, industry leaders...
By
Danielle Brown
Apr 26, 2021
Now that vaccinators are encouraged to resume giving Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 shot, nursing home stakeholders are questioning what effect the recent pause will have on vaccine uptake in a wary population.
HHS halts Eli Lilly’s single-drug COVID antibody treatment in U.S.; dual-drug alternative remains in...
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 26, 2021
U.S. distribution of an infusion treatment using bamlanivimab only has been halted due to virus variant concerns, but an alternative antibody cocktail from the drugmaker can still be ordered, according...
HHS to extend PREP Act protections for pharmacy workers after end of PHE
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 16, 2023
Pharmacy providers will continue to have liability immunity when administering COVID-19 and vaccinations, treatments and tests after the end of the Public Health Emergency, the Department of Health and...