Latest KFF Health News Content

Latest KFF Health News Stories

Italy’s Morgues Inundated With Coronavirus Victims As Loved Ones Mourn In Isolation

Morning Briefing

In Italy, with the oldest population in Europe, the toll has been heavy, with more than 2,100 deaths — the most outside of China. On Monday alone, more than 300 people died. The nation is grieving, and yet cannot grieve together with everyone in isolation.

‘I Am Dipping Myself Into The Swamp Every Day’: For Health Care Professionals There’s No Option To Practice Social Distancing

Morning Briefing

Doctors and other medical professionals are on the front lines of the crisis, and experience all the trauma that comes with that. In other news on how humanity is reacting to the outbreak: anxiety inspires charity in some, distilleries do their part to help with sanitizer shortage, fraudsters abound, and more.

Advocacy Groups Step Up Efforts To Free Health-Compromised Immigrants In Detention Centers

Morning Briefing

The lawyer for a Cuban asylum-seeker with breast cancer said exposure to COVID-19 could be deadly for his client. She was recently transferred to a detention center in Louisiana. News on how the pandemic is impacting immigrants comes out of Washington and Massachusetts, as well.

New York Adheres To ‘Common Set Of Rules’ Over Closures, Curfews With Neighbors Connecticut, New Jersey

Morning Briefing

When the governors spoke with reporters, they urged the federal government to issue more uniform guidance. Other news is on New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio’s decision to close public schools and Saturday Night Live going dark.

New Iconic Symbol Of Our Times: Surgical Masks Sign Of People Desperately Trying To Protect Themselves, Dreading Infection

Morning Briefing

Face masks, the kind that cover the nose and mouth, are synonymous with COVID-19. Manufacturers in China have ramped up efforts to make them, but suppliers say it won’t be enough for the near future and that that effectives ones are difficult to produce.

U.S. Health Departments Report Largest Number Of Deaths In One Day As Total Confirmed Cases Climb To 4,450

Morning Briefing

Experts say there’s likely far more unreported cases because of failures to properly test potential patients. On Monday, 18 people died from the virus bringing the nation’s total deaths to 85 so far. Meanwhile, media outlets offer a way to check which states have the most number of cases.

As Cases Climb In California, Bay Area’s Nearly 7M Residents Directed To Shelter In Place

Morning Briefing

Vital businesses like grocery stores, banks and pharmacies will remain open. Even as states across the country ramp up their efforts to slow the spread of the virus, the directive remains one of the most extreme. California was one of the early states hit with the outbreak, and has nearly 300 confirmed cases in the Bay Area alone. California Gov. Gavin Newsom is taking additional drastic steps, such as asking the elderly to stay at home, but has not ordered a state-wide lock down.

After Dems Scale Back Paid-Leave Provision, House Sends Multi-Billion Dollar Coronavirus Package To Senate

Morning Briefing

The measure would still provide two weeks of sick leave to a wide swath of workers affected by the pandemic, but for the next 10 weeks, paid leave would be limited only to workers caring for a child whose school or day care had been shut. The fate of the bill had been uncertain, but following the change Senate Republicans seem to warm to the legislation. Meanwhile, Congress is already working on a “Phase 3” relief bill for industries impacted by the outbreak. And some lawmakers call for a universal basic income for Americans during the outbreak.

First Human Test Subjects Injected With Experimental Coronavirus Vaccine As Trial Kicks Off

Morning Briefing

On the first day of the trial, four healthy volunteers were given the test vaccine developed by scientists at the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and Moderna Inc. Meanwhile, other Pfizer is also working to co-develop a vaccine with a German company. Such rapid development is unprecedented, but experts warn that even if one works a vaccine will still not be broadly available for 12-18 months.