Here are what the editors at HealthDay consider to be the most important developments in Infectious Disease for March 2020. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal articles, as well as the FDA approvals and regulatory changes that are the most likely to affect clinical practice.
Case Fatality Ratio for COVID-19 Estimated at 1.38 Percent
TUESDAY, March 31, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The case fatality ratio for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in China is estimated at 1.38 percent, according to a study published online March 30 in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
Decontamination Method Adopted to Ease N95 Mask Shortage
TUESDAY, March 31, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Duke Health research and clinical teams have developed a validated process for decontaminating N95 masks. The process is described in an article published online in Applied Biosafety: Journal of ABSA International.
Press Release
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WHO Issues Guidance on Prevention of COVID-19 at LTCFs
TUESDAY, March 31, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In a technical guidance document issued by the World Health Organization, recommendations are presented for the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) entry and spread in long-term care facilities (LTCFs).
FDA Grants First Approval of Convalescent Plasma Therapy in COVID-19 Patient
TUESDAY, March 31, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Over the weekend, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted the first approval for an academic medical center to transfuse donated plasma from a recovered novel coronavirus (COVID-19) patient into a critically ill patient.
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Statement Issued on Use of Anesthesia Machines as Ventilators
TUESDAY, March 31, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Although U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved labeling does not provide for use of anesthesia ventilators for long-term ventilator support, they can be repurposed during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, according to a statement from the American Society of Anesthesiologists and the Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation.
ASA/APSF Statement
FDA Emergency Use Authorization – Ventilators
Preventionists Report Widespread Shortages of Protective Equipment
TUESDAY, March 31, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Nearly half of U.S. health care facilities surveyed are out of or almost out of respirators to use while caring for patients with COVID-19, according to the results of a national survey of infection prevention experts released March 27 by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC).
Doctors, Hospitals, Pharmacies Warned Not to Stockpile Meds
TUESDAY, March 31, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In a joint statement released by the American Medical Association, American Pharmacists Association, and American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the professional groups “strongly oppose” physicians, pharmacies, and hospitals prophylactically prescribing medications or purchasing excessive amounts or stockpiles of potential treatments for COVID-19.
Artificial Intelligence Framework May Predict ARDS in COVID-19
MONDAY, March 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Data from patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can be used to develop a model that can predict who will develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), according to a study published online March 30 in Computers, Materials & Continua.
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U.S. Army Opens Field Hospital in New York City
MONDAY, March 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The first U.S. Army field hospital for civilian patients opened in New York City Monday and could be the first of many across the nation as it struggles with the coronavirus pandemic.
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Patients Viral Positive for Days After COVID-19 Resolution
MONDAY, March 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Some patients who have recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) continue to be viral positive up to eight days after resolution of symptoms, according to a study published online March 23 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
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ASA Warns Against Multiple Patients Per Ventilator
MONDAY, March 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Sharing mechanical ventilators should not be attempted during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, according to a joint statement published March 26 by the American Society of Anesthesiologists, Society of Critical Care Medicine, American Association for Respiratory Care, Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation, American Association of Critical‐Care Nurses, and American College of Chest Physicians.
Joint Statement on Multiple Patients Per Ventilator
Concomitant Myocardial Injury With COVID-19 Infection Linked to Fatal Outcome
MONDAY, March 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Myocardial injury is associated with fatal outcome in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to research published online March 27 in JAMA Cardiology.
President Extends Social Distancing to April 30 as COVID-19 Cases Surge
MONDAY, March 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) — As U.S. coronavirus cases and deaths continue to rise, President Donald Trump on Sunday extended strict social distancing guidelines for the country to April 30.
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Physician’s Briefing Weekly Coronavirus Roundup
Here is what the editors at Physician’s Briefing chose as the most important COVID-19 developments for you and your practice for the week of March 23 to 27, 2020. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal studies and other trusted sources that is most likely to affect clinical practice.
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PPE Negative for SARS-CoV-2 After Patient Contact
FRIDAY, March 27, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Samples collected from personal protective equipment (PPE) from health care workers (HCWs) caring for patients positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) were negative for SARS-CoV-2, according to research published online March 26 in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.
Half of Americans Anxious About Getting COVID-19
FRIDAY, March 27, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Nearly half of Americans (48 percent) are anxious about the possibility of getting COVID-19, while slightly fewer — four in 10 — are anxious about becoming seriously ill or dying from the disease, according to the results of a survey conducted by the American Psychiatric Association.
Three Neonates Born to Mothers With COVID-19 ID’d as Positive
FRIDAY, March 27, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Three of 33 neonates born to mothers with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Wuhan tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) , according to a research letter published online March 26 in JAMA Pediatrics.
Elastomeric Half-Mask Respirator Training Feasible in Health Care
FRIDAY, March 27, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Health care personnel can be rapidly fit tested and trained to use the reusable elastomeric half-mask respirator (EHMR), with similar time to testing as that seen for the N95 respirator, according to a research letter published online March 25 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Gilead Backs Down on Special Designation for Possible COVID-19 Drug
THURSDAY, March 26, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Following severe criticism, Gilead Sciences is backing off special designation of its antiviral drug remdesivir — which shows promise against COVID-19 — that would have allowed the company to block competition and increase its profits for the drug.
Restricting Activities in Wuhan Until April Could Slow COVID-19 Peak
THURSDAY, March 26, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Restriction on activities in Wuhan would help to delay the COVID-19 epidemic peak if maintained until April, according to a study published online March 25 in The Lancet Public Health.
Workers at Risk for COVID-19 Exposure Can Access Online Training
THURSDAY, March 26, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The National Institutes of Health has launched a new website with educational resources for hospital employees, emergency first responders, and other workers at risk for exposure to COVID-19.
Fostemsavir Active in Multidrug-Resistant HIV-1 Infection
THURSDAY, March 26, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Among patients with multidrug-resistant HIV-1 infection who have limited therapy options, reductions in HIV-1 RNA level were significantly greater in those who received fostemsavir compared with placebo during the first eight days, according to a study published in the March 26 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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CDC: Rates of STIs Up From 2016 to 2018 Among Women Giving Birth
THURSDAY, March 26, 2020 (HealthDay News) — From 2016 to 2018, the rates of three sexually transmitted infections (STIs) increased among women giving birth, according to the March 26 National Vital Statistics Reports, a publication from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Prospective, Randomized Studies of AI Lacking in Medical Imaging
THURSDAY, March 26, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In the field of medical imaging, there are few prospective studies and randomized trials of deep learning, according to a review published online March 25 in The BMJ.
Model Shows Combined Efforts May Cut SARS-CoV-2 Infections
THURSDAY, March 26, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Combined interventions of quarantining infected individuals and their family members, workplace distancing, and school closure can substantially reduce the number of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infections, according to a modeling study published online March 23 in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.
Increased Risk for SARS-CoV-2 Seen in Cancer Patients in Wuhan
THURSDAY, March 26, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Patients with cancer in Wuhan had an increased risk for severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, according to a research letter published online March 25 in JAMA Oncology.
Lung Recruitability Can Be Assessed at Bedside in COVID-19
THURSDAY, March 26, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Lung recruitability can be assessed at bedside in mechanically ventilated patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and alternating body positioning can improve recruitability, according to a study published online March 23 in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine.
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Article Addresses Allocation of Ventilators During Pandemic
WEDNESDAY, March 25, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Determining where to allocate stockpiled ventilators during a pandemic should be based on consideration of ethical principles, the ability of facilities to absorb additional ventilators, and the ability to ensure access for vulnerable or high-risk populations, according to an article published online March 19 in Health Security.
FDA Eases Access to Blood Plasma Treatment for COVID-19 Patients
WEDNESDAY, March 25, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Access to a blood plasma treatment for seriously ill COVID-19 patients has been made easier by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
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FDA Issues Safety Alert for COVID-19 Risk With Fecal Transplant
WEDNESDAY, March 25, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a MedWatch Safety Alert on Tuesday about the potential risk for SARS-CoV-2 transmission with the use of fecal microbiota for transplantation (FMT) to treat Clostridioides difficile infection.
36 Percent of Available Hospital Beds Unoccupied on Typical Day
WEDNESDAY, March 25, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Leading up to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, about 2.2 beds were available per 1,000 people in U.S. hospitals; however, only 36 percent were unoccupied on a typical day, according to a report from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Cardiac Injury Linked to Increased Mortality in COVID-19
WEDNESDAY, March 25, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Cardiac injury is associated with increased mortality in hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to a study published online March 25 in JAMA Cardiology.
CDC: Prevalence of Any Past, Present Hep B Infection 4.3 Percent
WEDNESDAY, March 25, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The prevalence of any past or present hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection was 4.3 percent among U.S. adults during 2015 to 2018, according to a March data brief published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Center for Health Statistics.
National Health Spending Expected to Increase Through 2028
WEDNESDAY, March 25, 2020 (HealthDay News) — National health expenditures are projected to increase at an average annual rate of 5.4 percent for 2019 to 2028, representing almost 20 percent of U.S. gross domestic product by 2028, according to a study published online March 24 in Health Affairs.
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Guidance Issued for Perioperative Management of COVID-19 Patients
WEDNESDAY, March 25, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In a guideline issued by the Joint Task Force of the Chinese Society of Anesthesiology and the Chinese Association of Anesthesiologists, published online March 19 in Anesthesiology, recommendations are presented for the perioperative management of patients infected with the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
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Artificial Intelligence Model Can Detect COVID-19 on Chest CT
WEDNESDAY, March 25, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Artificial intelligence allows coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to be detected and differentiated from community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) on chest computed tomography (CT), according to a study published online March 19 in Radiology.
Shortages Seen for Drugs That Show Promise Against COVID-19
TUESDAY, March 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Strong demand for medications that show promise as treatments for COVID-19 have led to shortages of those drugs in the United States.
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Johns Hopkins University
Information on COVID-19 Provided for Gastroenterologists
TUESDAY, March 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In a special article published online March 17 in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, key information is presented about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and the field of gastroenterology.
No Evidence Found for SARS-CoV-2 Vertical Transmission to Fetus
TUESDAY, March 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) — There is currently no evidence that SARS-CoV-2 undergoes intrauterine or transplacental transmission from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-infected pregnant women to fetuses, according to a study published online March 17 in the Archives of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine.
Anesthesia Procedure Outlined for Emergency Surgery in COVID-19 Patients
TUESDAY, March 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In a letter to the editor published online Feb. 25 in Surgical Infections, recommendations are presented regarding anesthesia procedures for emergency operations in patients with suspected or confirmed coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19).
IDSA Issues Recommendations for COVID-19 Testing
TUESDAY, March 24, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In a statement published online March 19 by the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), recommendations are presented for public health and health care professionals to prioritize coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) testing.
Misconceptions ID’d About COVID-19 Among General Public
MONDAY, March 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In a research letter published online March 20 in the Annals of Internal Medicine, important misconceptions about coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among the general public in the United States and United Kingdom are presented.
Mental Health at Risk for Health Care Workers Treating COVID-19
MONDAY, March 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A considerable proportion of health care workers caring for patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) report symptoms of depression, anxiety, insomnia, and distress, according to a study published online March 23 in JAMA Network Open.
Article Addresses Management of Cancer Care During COVID-19
MONDAY, March 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Management of cancer care during the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is addressed in a special feature article published online March 20 in the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
More Americans Recognizing Importance of COVID-19 Safety Measures
MONDAY, March 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Americans’ understanding of safety measures to protect themselves from COVID-19 is increasing, according to an ongoing survey conducted by researchers at the Center for Economic and Social Research at the University of Southern California (USC) Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and the Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics.
CDC: Modest Decreases Seen in TB Cases, TB-Related Deaths
MONDAY, March 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) — From 2017 to 2018, there were modest decreases in the number of persons with tuberculosis (TB) and the number of TB-related deaths, according to research published in the March 20 issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Guidance Issued for Prenatal Care in Setting of COVID-19
MONDAY, March 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In new guidelines specific to maternal-fetal medicine practitioners, published online March 19 in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology MFM, recommendations are presented for prenatal care in the setting of the novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.
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Management of Elective Surgery Reviewed in Setting of COVID-19
MONDAY, March 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Management of elective surgical procedures in the setting of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is addressed in two sets of recommendations published by the American College of Surgeons.
Recommendations for Management of Elective Surgical Procedures
Guidance for Triage of Non-Emergent Surgical Procedures
National Guard Activated in Three States as U.S. COVID-19 Cases Rise
MONDAY, March 23, 2020 (HealthDay News) — As the number of known U.S. coronavirus cases soared past 33,000 and the death count eclipsed 400 on Sunday, President Donald Trump approved disaster declarations for regions hit hardest by the pandemic and activated the National Guard in three states.
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E. Coli Outbreak Tied to Clover Sprouts Rises to 39 Cases in Six States
FRIDAY, March 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The number of cases in an Escherichia coli outbreak linked to clover sprouts has reached 39 in six states, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday.
Physician’s Briefing Weekly Coronavirus Roundup
Here is what the editors at Physician’s Briefing chose as the most important COVID-19 developments for you and your practice for the week of March 16 to 20, 2020. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal studies and other trusted sources that is most likely to affect clinical practice.
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Statement Addresses Concerns About Heart Meds and COVID-19
FRIDAY, March 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Patients already prescribed angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) should continue taking their medications, according to a joint statement from the American Heart Association (AHA), the Heart Failure Society of America (HFSA), and the American College of Cardiology (ACC), issued in response to a research letter published online March 11 in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.
Californians Ordered to Stay Home Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
FRIDAY, March 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. State Department warned Americans to avoid international travel and residents of the country’s most populous state, California, were ordered to stay at home indefinitely, as national COVID-19 cases climbed past 13,000.
CNN Article
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Lopinavir-Ritonavir No Benefit in Adults With Severe COVID-19
FRIDAY, March 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Lopinavir-ritonavir treatment offers no significant benefit over standard care for hospitalized adult patients with severe coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infection, according to a study published online March 18 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Incidence of Subclinical CT Changes High in COVID-19 Cases
FRIDAY, March 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The incidence of subclinical computed tomography (CT) changes in coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) cases is high, with milder severity seen on CT for asymptomatic versus symptomatic cases, according to a study published online March 17 in Radiology: Cardiothoracic Imaging.
Incidence of Tuberculosis High in Children Exposed to the Disease
FRIDAY, March 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The incidence of developing tuberculosis is high among exposed infants and young children, according to a review published in the March 21 issue of The Lancet.
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Serial Interval of COVID-19 Estimated at 3.96 Days
FRIDAY, March 20, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The serial interval of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), defined as the time between a primary case and secondary case developing symptoms, is 3.96 days, according to a study published online March 19 in Emerging Infectious Diseases, a publication of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Guidelines Provided for Ophthalmologists in COVID-19 Setting
MONDAY, March 30, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Updated information about severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2019 (SARS-CoV-2) has been provided for ophthalmologists by the American Academy of Ophthalmology, in conjunction with the publication in Ophthalmology of a study relating to the risk of SARS-CoV-2 in tears.
Important Coronavirus Updates for Ophthalmologists
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Digestive Symptoms Reported for About Half of COVID-19 Patients
THURSDAY, March 19, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Patients with coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) frequently have digestive symptoms, and those with digestive symptoms have a worse clinical outcome, according to a study published online March 17 in the American Journal of Gastroenterology.
U.S. Colleges Preparing Empty Dorms to House Coronavirus Patients
THURSDAY, March 19, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Some U.S. colleges are converting empty dorms into temporary housing for COVID-19 patients.
U.S. Seniors at Higher Risk for Severe Illness, Death With COVID-19
THURSDAY, March 19, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In the United States, the risk for serious illness and death from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is higher among older adults, according to research published in the March 18 early-release issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Supply Shortages Hinder COVID-19 Testing in the United States
THURSDAY, March 19, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Shortages of face masks for health care workers, swabs, and other supplies are hampering efforts to increase COVID-19 testing in the United States.
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Trump Signs Massive COVID-19 Relief Package Into Law
THURSDAY, March 19, 2020 (HealthDay News) — President Donald Trump signed an $850 billion coronavirus relief package into law late Wednesday. The package will provide sick leave, unemployment benefits, and free COVID-19 testing.
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Transmission of COVID-19 Among Crew on Cruise Ship Investigated
THURSDAY, March 19, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Transmission of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) on a cruise ship indicates the need for quarantine for close contacts of confirmed cases, according to research published in the March 17 early-release issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
COVID-19 Preparedness for Radiology Departments Outlined
THURSDAY, March 19, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Radiology departments have been implementing policies to ensure preparedness for the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, according to a report published online March 16 in Radiology.
Antibiotics in First Year of Life May Up Risk for T1DM by Age 10
THURSDAY, March 19, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Antibiotic prescriptions in the first year of life are associated with an increased risk for type 1 diabetes in childhood, according to a study published online March 4 in Diabetes Care.
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Chinese Researchers Say Flu Drug Effective Against COVID-19
WEDNESDAY, March 18, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The flu drug favipiravir is “clearly effective” in treating patients with the novel coronavirus, Chinese researchers say.
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U.S. May Not Have Enough Ventilators for COVID-19 Patients
WEDNESDAY, March 18, 2020 (HealthDay News) — There may not be enough ventilators in the United States to cope with the number of novel coronavirus patients who will require them due to pneumonia and other serious respiratory problems, experts say.
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41 Percent of U.S. Adults at Risk for Serious Illness With COVID-19
WEDNESDAY, March 18, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Forty-one percent of adults ages 18 years and older in the United States have an elevated risk for developing serious illness if infected with the new coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), according to a brief issued by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF).
COVID-19 Epidemic in Iran Likely to Be Substantial
WEDNESDAY, March 18, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Based on countries with identified cases of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) originating in Iran, the COVID-19 epidemic in Iran is likely to be of a substantial size, according to a research letter published online March 16 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Demographics May Predict Choice to Not Vaccinate Children
WEDNESDAY, March 18, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Texans who are college-educated, live in suburban or urban areas, have higher median incomes, and are ethnically white are less likely to vaccinate their children, according to a study published online March 10 in PLOS Medicine.
Per-Capita Medical Radiation Exposure Down in United States
TUESDAY, March 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) — From 2006 to 2016, there was a decrease in per-capita exposure to medical radiation in the United States, according to a study published online March 17 in Radiology.
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Chat Users Report Flu-Like Symptoms With Keto Diet
TUESDAY, March 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Online forum users commonly report that a ketogenic diet can lead to several flu-like symptoms within the first few weeks on the diet, according to a study published online March 13 in Frontiers in Nutrition.
Children Susceptible to COVID-19 but Less Severely Affected
TUESDAY, March 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Children of all ages seem to be susceptible to novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) infection, and most cases are asymptomatic, mild, or moderate, according to a study published online March 16 in Pediatrics.
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Medicare Expands Telemedicine Coverage During COVID-19 Pandemic
TUESDAY, March 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Medicare is expanding coverage for telemedicine nationwide so that millions of American seniors can get health care at home and avoid the coronavirus, officials said Tuesday.
AP News Article
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
Common Features on Chest CT May Aid Diagnosis of COVID-19
TUESDAY, March 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Chest computed tomography (CT) has a low rate of misdiagnosis of novel coronavirus (COVID-19), according to a study published online March 4 in the American Journal of Roentgenology.
New Coronavirus Guidelines Discourage Gatherings of More Than 10
TUESDAY, March 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The Trump Administration on Monday ramped up its coronavirus “social distancing” advisory to now discourage gatherings of more than 10 people.
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Climate Similar in Cities With Biggest Outbreaks of COVID-19
TUESDAY, March 17, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Cities that have experienced significant outbreaks of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) have similar winter climates, according to a study published online March 9 on the open-data site SSRN.
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N.Y. and Colorado Ask Former Health Care Workers to Return to Workforce
MONDAY, March 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Former health care workers in New York State and Colorado are being asked to return to the workforce to help health systems under pressure due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Americans Detail Behavior Changes Amid COVID-19 Threat
MONDAY, March 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Many people are changing their behaviors in light of the COVID-19 outbreak, according to a new survey conducted by researchers at the Center for Economic and Social Research at the University of Southern California (USC) Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences and the Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics.
Race, Insurance Status Linked to Lower Cancer Survival
MONDAY, March 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Nonwhite, uninsured patients with clinically favorable human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) have higher mortality than their white peers, according to a study published in the February issue of the Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network.
Antibiotics May Not Help Children With Suspected Pneumonia
MONDAY, March 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For children with suspected community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) who are discharged from the emergency department, outcomes do not differ between those who do and those who do not receive antibiotic prescriptions, according to a study published online March 16 in Pediatrics.
Amid Increased COVID-19 Fears, U.S. Extends Ban on Foreign Travel
MONDAY, March 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — In the latest on the coronavirus crisis, the Trump administration on Saturday expanded a 30-day ban on travel from Europe to include residents from the United Kingdom and Ireland, beginning late Monday.
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Case Series Indicates COVID-19 Not Transmitted In Utero
MONDAY, March 16, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Four infants born to pregnant women who tested positive for coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) were healthy at birth and had no serious clinical symptoms, according to a case series study published online March 16 in Frontiers in Pediatrics.
President Trump Declares Coronavirus a National Emergency
FRIDAY, March 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) — President Donald Trump on Friday took a step many political and health care experts have long been urging him to do, declaring the U.S. coronavirus crisis a national emergency.
Thousands in U.S. May Already Be Infected With SARS-CoV-2
FRIDAY, March 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Based on modeling, between 1,043 and 9,484 individuals in the United States are estimated to have been infected with SARS-CoV-2 as of March 1, 2020, according to a not yet peer-reviewed study, which has been published online at medRxiv.org.
Hep C Testing, Treatment Rates Low at Federally Qualified Health Centers
FRIDAY, March 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) testing and treatment initiation are low at federally qualified health centers (FQHC) in the United States, according to a study published online March 4 in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
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Evidence Points to GI Infection by SARS-CoV-2
FRIDAY, March 13, 2020 (HealthDay News) — There is evidence for gastrointestinal infection of SARS-CoV-2, according to a study published online March 3 in Gastroenterology.
Enoki Mushrooms From Korea Linked to Deadly U.S. Listeria Outbreak
THURSDAY, March 12, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Enoki mushrooms from Korea are the likely cause of a deadly Listeria outbreak in the United States that has sickened 36 people in 17 states, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says.
Details Provided for U.S. Person-to-Person Transmission of SARS-CoV-2
THURSDAY, March 12, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Person-to-person transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in the United States has been recorded between two people with prolonged, unprotected exposure while the patient was symptomatic, according to a study published online March 13 in The Lancet.
Risk Factors Linked to In-Hospital Death in COVID-19 Identified
THURSDAY, March 12, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Older age, higher Sequential Organ Failure Assessment score, and d-dimer are associated with increased odds of in-hospital death among patients with novel coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), according to a study published online March 11 in The Lancet.
Second Case of HIV-1 Cure After Stem Cell Transplant Reported
THURSDAY, March 12, 2020 (HealthDay News) — A second case of HIV-1 cure following allogeneic hemopoietic stem cell transplantation has been reported at 30 months after analytical treatment interruption (ATI), according to a study published online March 10 in The Lancet HIV.
Trump Bans Travel From Most of Europe Amid COVID-19 Fears
THURSDAY, March 12, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Hoping to curtail the spread of COVID-19 to the United States, travel from most of Europe will be banned for 30 days, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday night.
Many Clinicians Unaware of Invasive Pulmonary Aspergillosis
THURSDAY, March 12, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Many clinicians are unaware of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) after severe influenza, with few using galactomannan testing in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with severe influenza and worsening respiratory function, according to a study published online March 11 in Emerging Infectious Diseases, a publication of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Acute Appendicitis Incidence Not Randomly Distributed
TUESDAY, March 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Socioeconomic status and other geographically defined factors are associated with incidence of acute appendicitis (AA), according to a study published online March 4 in JAMA Surgery.
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Risk for Liver Cancer Down With Low-Dose Aspirin in Hepatitis B, C
WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Low-dose aspirin is associated with a reduced risk for hepatocellular carcinoma among patients with chronic viral hepatitis, according to a study published in the March 12 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.
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WHO Declares Coronavirus a Pandemic
WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The World Health Organization on Wednesday officially declared the coronavirus outbreak sweeping the globe a pandemic.
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U.S. Blood Donors Needed in Face of COVID-19 Crisis
WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2020 (HealthDay News) — As concerns about the new coronavirus escalate, the American Red Cross urges healthy, eligible people to give blood or platelets to help prevent blood shortages.
Number of COVID-19 Cases Tops 1,000 in the United States
WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Public officials across America raced to curb the spread of coronavirus on Tuesday as the number of U.S. cases topped 1,000, with at least 19 states now declaring states of emergency.
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New HIV PrEP Drug Not Cost-Effective Compared With Generic
WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Use of tenofovir alafenamide-emtricitabine (F/TAF) is not cost-effective compared with generic tenofovir disoproxil fumarate-emtricitabine (F/TDF) for HIV preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) among men who have sex with men (MSM), according to a study published online March 10 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Typical Chest CT Findings Help Screen for Coronavirus Infection
WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Typical imaging features can be useful in early screening for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), according to a study published online March 3 in the American Journal of Roentgenology.
Daily Rounding Helps Curb CAUTIs in Pediatric ICU Patients
WEDNESDAY, March 11, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Targeted rounding for pediatric patients with an indwelling urinary catheter is an effective and sustainable strategy to reduce catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs), according to a study recently published in Critical Care Nurse.
Median Incubation Period Estimated at 5.1 Days for COVID-19
TUESDAY, March 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The median incubation period for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is estimated to be 5.1 days, according to a study published online March 10 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Millions of Coronavirus Test Kits Available Soon, Vice President Says
TUESDAY, March 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Millions of much-needed testing kits for COVID-19 are on the way to clinics and labs nationwide, Vice President Mike Pence told reporters during a White House briefing Monday evening.
Diabetes-Related Lower-Extremity Complications Increasing
TUESDAY, March 10, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Diabetes-related lower-extremity complications (DRLECs) are a large and increasing contributor to the global burden of disability, according to a study published online March 5 in Diabetes Care.
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2018 Health Care Spending Up Due to Higher Prices
MONDAY, March 9, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Average employer-sponsored insurance spending rose to $5,892 per person in 2018, according to the Health Care Cost Institute annual Health Care Cost and Utilization Report.
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Adjuvanted FLU-v Vaccine Immunogenic in Healthy Adults
MONDAY, March 9, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Adjuvanted FLU-v, a broad-spectrum influenza vaccine, is immunogenic, according to a study published online March 10 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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Fraudulent Coronavirus ‘Meds’ Targeted by FDA
MONDAY, March 9, 2020 (HealthDay News) — U.S. officials are cracking down on companies selling fraudulent products that claim to prevent or treat the new coronavirus.
Amid COVID-19 Outbreak, State Dept Cautions Against Travel by Cruise Ship
MONDAY, March 9, 2020 (HealthDay News) — As the number of U.S. COVID-19 cases climbed past 530 in at least 34 states and the death toll hit 22, the State Department issued an advisory Sunday that urged all Americans to avoid cruise travel.
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Rotavirus Vaccination, Type 1 Diabetes Not Linked in Children
MONDAY, March 9, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Rotavirus vaccination seems not to be associated with type 1 diabetes in children, according to a study published online March 9 in JAMA Pediatrics.
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California Cruise Ship Passengers Await COVID-19 Test Results
FRIDAY, March 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Thousands of passengers stranded on a cruise ship linked to California’s first COVID-19 death anxiously awaited test results Friday, as the total number of U.S. cases passed 220 and the death count climbed to 14.
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Hospital Infection Control Can Prevent COVID-19 Transmission
FRIDAY, March 6, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Appropriate hospital infection control measures can protect health care workers from novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), according to a study published online March 5 in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology.
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Less Than 1 in 4 Perinatally Exposed Infants Tested for Hep C
THURSDAY, March 5, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Less than one-quarter of infants exposed to hepatitis C virus (HCV) receive testing, according to a study published in the March issue of Pediatrics.
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California Holds Cruise Ship Offshore for COVID-19 Testing
THURSDAY, March 5, 2020 (HealthDay News) — California declared a state of emergency Wednesday as health officials kept a cruise ship linked to the state’s first COVID-19 death from docking in San Francisco.
Long-Acting Cabotegravir, Rilpivirine Noninferior in HIV-1
THURSDAY, March 5, 2020 (HealthDay News) — For patients with HIV-1 suppression, long-acting cabotegravir plus rilpivirine is noninferior to oral therapy with dolutegravir-abacavir-lamivudine and standard oral therapy, according to two studies published online March 4 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Female Clinical Chairs Paid Significantly Less Than Men
THURSDAY, March 5, 2020 (HealthDay News) — There are significant sex differences in salaries of clinical department chairs in public medical schools in the United States, according to a research letter published online March 2 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
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Racial/Ethnic Insurance Coverage Disparity Down Since ACA
WEDNESDAY, March 4, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Since the implementation of coverage expansions associated with the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the disparities in insurance coverage related to race and ethnicity have decreased, according to a study published in the March issue of Health Affairs.
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Considerable Increase Seen in List, Net Prices of Branded Drugs
WEDNESDAY, March 4, 2020 (HealthDay News) — From 2007 to 2018, there were substantial increases in list and net prices of branded drugs in the United States, according to a study published in the March 3 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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1996 to 2016 Saw Increases in U.S. Spending on Health Care
TUESDAY, March 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) — From 1996 to 2016, there were considerable increases in U.S. spending on health care, according to a study published in the March 3 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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Cough, Fever Most Common Initial Symptoms of COVID-19
TUESDAY, March 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) often have fever and cough on presentation, according to research published online Feb. 28 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Repeated Courses of Antibiotics Linked to Hospital Admissions
TUESDAY, March 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Repeated courses of antibiotics may be associated with adverse outcomes, including admissions for infection-related complications, according to a study published online March 2 in BMC Medicine.
Emergency Measure Will Get More Respirators to U.S. Health Care Workers
TUESDAY, March 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) — An emergency authorization will make more respirators available for U.S. health care workers during the coronavirus outbreak, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Chest CT More Sensitive Than RT-PCR for Diagnosing COVID-19
TUESDAY, March 3, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Chest computed tomography (CT) has higher sensitivity for detecting 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) than reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) tests, according to a study published online Feb. 26 in Radiology.
Focus on Vaccinating Elderly May Not Be Enough for Flu Protection
MONDAY, March 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Current vaccination strategies focusing on the elderly may be less effective than thought for reducing hospitalization or mortality among this population, according to a study published online March 3 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
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CDC Broadens Testing Guidelines for Coronavirus
MONDAY, March 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) — U.S. health care workers have been sent new testing guidelines for novel coronavirus after the nation’s first case of a patient with an unknown source of infection, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
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Three More COVID-19 Deaths Reported at Washington State Nursing Home
MONDAY, March 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Officials in Washington State said Monday that three more people have died from coronavirus at the same nursing home in the town of Kirkland, bringing the total number of fatalities at the center to four.
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Chest CT Findings for COVID-19 More Common Later in Infection
MONDAY, March 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The main computed tomography (CT) findings in coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) are ground-glass and consolidative pulmonary opacities, and these findings are more frequent with longer time from symptom onset, according to a study published online Feb. 20 in Radiology.
USPSTF Recommends Screening All Adults for Hepatitis C Virus
MONDAY, March 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommends screening for hepatitis C virus infection in all adults. This recommendation forms the basis of a final recommendation statement published online March 2 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
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U.S. Coronavirus Cases Now at 89
MONDAY, March 2, 2020 (HealthDay News) — Two dozen new U.S. cases of coronavirus were reported in multiple states across the country over the weekend, as Washington State officials raced to contain a possible outbreak in one of its cities.
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