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...
Long-term care provider fined record $27K for worker’s COVID-19 death
By
Danielle Brown
Apr 27, 2021
The death of a frontline worker led the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry to levy a $27,100 fine for workplace safety violations on the man’s former long-term care employer.
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.
Orig3n streamlines nursing home COVID-19 testing
By
Kimberly Marselas
May 20, 2020
Genetics and biotechnology company Orig3n is enabling COVID-19 testing for Massachusetts nursing home residents. The Orig3n 2019 novel coronavirus test was given emergency-use authorization by the Food...
CVS Health ‘well positioned’ to serve LTC with future COVID-19 vaccine
By
Danielle Brown
Aug 06, 2020
Long-term care facilities that receive pharmacy services from CVS Health should have sufficient access to a COVID-19 vaccine, once one is ready, executives stated Wednesday morning.
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...