Common autoimmune drugs reduce mortality, up clinical status in COVID-19: NIH
By
Alicia Lasek (f3)
Jun 06, 2022
Two commonly used autoimmune drugs could be used in addition to standard-of-care treatments to improve COVID-19 outcomes, the agency says.
Safety means ‘seeing the virus’: Atria recounts rollout of 18,000 tests early in pandemic
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 09, 2021
Finding a way to conduct COVID-19 testing among 31,000 residents and staff members across multiple states helped the senior living giant to “seal out” outbreaks and show that its communities were safe...
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.
New COVID vaccine threats emerge as mandate ends
By
Kimberly Marselas
Sep 11, 2023
The end of the nationwide healthcare worker requirement came as good news to many who saw it as an obstacle to hiring. Yet experts warned that the federal change could lead to new and potentially costly...
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...
Worries mount despite new lows for nursing home COVID-19 cases, deaths
By
Kimberly Marselas
Mar 31, 2021
COVID-19 cases in U.S. nursing homes have hit their lowest mark since federal officials began tracking last May, according to a new report issued by the American Health Care Association and National Center...
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...
CMS test protocol misses too many asymptomatic workers: statewide COVID study
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 04, 2020
If the goal is to identify all asymptomatic nursing home staff, comprehensive repeat testing may be needed regardless of COVID positivity rates in the community, investigators told McKnight’s.
National Emergency will end early. What that means for providers
By
James M. Berklan
Mar 31, 2023
This week’s congressional vote to end the National Emergency designation early left providers uncertain.
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.