It’s official: Omicron causes less severe COVID-19 illness than prior variants, CDC study finds
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 26, 2022
The SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant is much less likely to cause severe illness and death than its predecessors, according to a new analysis of U.S. data from December 2020 through mid-January 2022.
Providers to report COVID infections in 12 hours or face $1k fines, CMS says
By
James M. Berklan
Apr 21, 2020
Nursing homes will face fines of “at least” $1,000 per week for not reporting COVID-19 infections within 12 hours of learning about them, federal regulators said Monday.
CDC: Turn to Paxlovid to treat COVID-19, not steroids or antibiotics
By
Alicia Lasek (f3)
Apr 26, 2022
The agency is urging clinicians to consider the now readily available, recommended therapies such as Paxlovid as first-line COVID-19 treatments.
BULLETIN: CMS ‘ratcheting up’ nursing home penalties in light of 26,000-resident, 450-worker...
By
James M. Berklan
Jun 01, 2020
Nearly 26,000 residents and 450 workers in U.S. nursing homes have died from COVID-19, federal authorities announced Monday afternoon.
Opt-in COVID vaccine program kicks off; Feds partner with CVS, Walgreens
By
Alicia Lasek
Oct 19, 2020
Long-term care facilities nationwide can voluntarily opt in to a free pharmacy partnership program that will provide and administer future COVID-19 vaccines on site, federal officials announced Friday.
CDC advisers: Long-term care workers, residents should receive first COVID-19 vaccinations
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 02, 2020
An influential committee on Tuesday voted overwhelmingly to recommend that healthcare personnel and residents in long-term care should be the very first recipients of COVID-19 vaccinations. The vote reflects...