Latest KFF Health News Stories
Virginia Reports First Child Death From MIS-C
On Friday Virginia health officials confirmed that an individual identified as being between the ages of 10 and 19 died of the inflammatory syndrome associated with covid. News outlets cover Virginia’s plans to track covid in sewage, L.A. county mask plans, and more.
UK Calls G7 Meeting Over Omicron; Peru Has Worst Covid Death Rate
As omicron hits the world, news outlets cover calls for vaccinating everyone on the planet, a rapid surge in cases in two major South African cities, and the highest covid death rate: In Peru, where it’s officially killed 6,000 out of every million people.
Viewpoints: Mental Health Cost Of Estrangement; Kids Don’t Need Opioids After Dental Work
Editorial writers tackle these and other public health topics.
Troubling reports about child health: fewer measles shots given worldwide, black infant deaths rising and rural hospitals cut obstetrics units.
Study: Antibody Levels Predict Covid Vaccine Effectiveness
News of covid and non-covid research results including lung transplants, exercise and the emotional toll of covid on health workers.
Health Industry Braces For More Worker Losses, Winter Covid Surge
Hospitals and care facilities are preparing for a round of health worker resignations, driven by the Jan. 4 federal vaccine mandate deadline. Meanwhile, the pandemic’s toll on cancer doctors and contract tracers is also in the news.
Fauci Vs. His Republican Critics
Dr. Anthony Fauci is firing back at Republicans like Senator Ted Cruz, who have attacked him. In other news from the nation’s capital, the NIH director says it may be two or three weeks before scientists know enough about the new variant and the Supreme Court hearing an abortion case and a 340B case.
FDA Says Merck’s Anti-Covid Pill Works
The Food and Drug Administration said the experimental covid drug treatment was effective against the virus. Merck said it reduces hospitalization risks by 30%. But ongoing work is needed to determine its safety for use during pregnancy, including for risk of birth defects.
Researchers Begin To Work On Omicron, Investigate Symptoms
The newest concerning variant of covid is alarming researchers, and forcing politician’s hands, but some early evidence suggests its symptoms may be mild. Vaccine makers are working out their responses, but Moderna says it could be ready in early 2022.
Omicron Hits Canada, Is Popping Up Globally Despite Travel Bans
On Sunday, Canada’s health minister said two cases of the new variant had been confirmed. Britain has more cases, and a flight in the Netherlands was found to have brought many cases from South Africa. The World Health Organization has, however, urged against travel bans.
White House Stresses Shots And Boosters In Response To Omicron Variant
Vaccination remains a “key weapon” in the face of the new omicron covid “variant of concern,” officials said. President Joe Biden is expected to speak on the matter today, and has been told it may take up to two weeks for scientists to come up with definitive answers and new advice.
First Edition: November 29, 2021
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Worries Amp Up Over Possible ‘Fifth Wave’ This Winter
Despite those covid concerns, vaccination rates remain stubbornly uneven — especially for kids — in pockets of the U.S. Of course, fights over vaccine mandates continue.
Opinion writers tackle these covid and vaccine issues.
Editorial pages delve into these public health topics.
Juul Settles Lawsuit For Allegedly Marketing To Young People In Arizona
The e-cigarette maker will pay out $14.5 million in the settlement. Separately, Florida’s Supreme Court rejected a $5 million damages suit against tobacco maker R.J. Reynolds over the death of a smoker in 2007.
WHO: Europe May See Over 2 Million Covid Deaths By Spring
News outlets report on the WHO’s warnings over surging covid in some European countries, with Germany considering a full lockdown. Meanwhile, a little-known cult in South Korea is reportedly a source of a new outbreak.
Longer Reads: Thanksgiving (Long) Weekend Edition
First up, get a peek into a few of the stories that KHN staffers shared with each other this week on our #whatwearereading chat:
200 Homicide Total In D.C. Is Highest In 18 Years
Meanwhile, Procter & Gamble recalled some Old Spice and Secret antiperspirant sprays after contaminating benzene was found, San Francisco declared a water shortage emergency, and reports highlight 10 million people who are uninsured could still qualify for public marketplace health.
Covid Proves More Deadly To Psychiatric Patients, Racial Minorities
Two new studies highlight the higher death risks from covid infections for racial minorities and patients with schizophrenia and other mood disorders (despite fewer infections). Meanwhile, an Israeli drug, called the “only cure for late-stage covid,” shows promise in trials.