FDA: Viral mutations unlikely to cause false negatives in COVID-19 tests
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 11, 2021
The agency has alerted healthcare providers that it is monitoring approved SARS-CoV-2 molecular tests to ensure that new viral mutations do not alter their accuracy.
Clinical Briefs for Wednesday, May 27
By
Alicia Lasek
May 26, 2020
White House lowers insulin costs to $35 a month for Medicare enrollees … CMS rule changes aim to increase telehealth access for Medicare Advantage beneficiaries … Sleep disturbances appear to predict...
Stronger coronavirus mutation may be new dominant strain, say scientists
By
Alicia Lasek
May 05, 2020
A newer, more contagious coronavirus mutation has become dominant worldwide, according to investigators from Los Alamos National Laboratory.
Clinical Briefs for Thursday, April 2
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 01, 2020
FDA orders all Zantac heartburn products off store shelves … Scientists discover gene that increases risk of Alzheimer’s disease … New CDC report adds evidence that underlying conditions raise...
Anticipating B117 surge, experts urge continued focus on elders, deferred 2nd vaccine doses
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 18, 2021
Infectious disease and vaccine experts have laid out a plan for thwarting yet another uptick in transmission and illness. A new surge is likely by the end of April, they say in a CIDRAP report.
COVID-19 vaccine hopefuls show early promise in clinical trials
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 22, 2020
Positive results in two more vaccine trials add to a small but growing list of successes among COVID-19 treatment candidates. The results are encouraging, say vaccine experts.
November’s drop in COVID deaths may hint at early nursing home success, experts contend
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 16, 2021
Between spring pandemic lockdowns and November, mortality rates due to COVID-19 in nursing homes declined significantly — well before a vaccine was approved to treat the disease, according to a new study.
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...
FDA OKs third antibody COVID therapy; variants spur new pause on another
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 01, 2021
A new COVID-19 treatment made by GlaxoSmithKline now is the third monoclonal antibody therapy federally authorized to help prevent severe disease outcomes in high-risk patients. But gene variants are interfering...
College town coronavirus outbreak linked to rise in nursing home cases and deaths
By
Danielle Brown
Oct 23, 2020
Officials of a Wisconsin college town are sounding the alarm after a rise in coronavirus cases among students in September was followed by a devastating increase in cases and deaths among nursing home...