Latest KFF Health News Stories
Study Adds To Theory That Covid Started Spreading In US By Christmas 2019
A new analysis by the National Institutes of Health finds nine possible covid-19 cases in late December 2019 — about a month earlier than the first official confirmed infection of Jan. 21, 2020. Some experts voiced skepticism about the study though.
CDC Starts To Guide Doctors On How To Treat Long Covid
Meanwhile, a large study says a quarter of covid patients will have symptoms at least one month after diagnosis. Separate studies cover lingering health problems that had not been seen before covid, long covid in asymptomatic people as well as food and smell distortions.
In A First, Use Of Regeneron Treatment Saved People Hospitalized With Covid
Previous studies of monoclonal antibodies have shown that the treatments, given early in the course of the disease, can prevent patients from being hospitalized. But until now, they had not been shown to help hospitalized patients, Stat reports.
‘Variant Of Concern’: Delta Now Responsible For 10% Of US Cases
As worries grow among health officials and scientists over the delta variant, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reclassifies it as evidence mounts that the more transmissible strain could take serious hold in the U.S. Doctors urge Americans to get vaccinated now.
California, New York Rescind Nearly All Covid-19 Restrictions
As New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo put it, “This is a momentous day, and we deserve it because it has been a long, long road.” In California, a maskless Gov. Gavin Newsom declared, “California has turned the page. Let us all celebrate this remarkable milestone.”
Passing 600K Deaths, Covid’s Toll In US Is Higher Than Any Other Nation
Throughout the pandemic, the magnitude of the loss has proven difficult to comprehend. News outlets try to put the deaths of more than 600,000 Americans in some relatable context. AP also looks at areas of the country that were hardest hit.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Does The Definition Of Death Need Updating?; Learning To Heal From Trauma
Editorial pages analyze these public health issues.
Mississippi Attorney General Alleges Insulin Price-Fixing, Sues Makers
Several drugmakers and pharmacy benefit managers in the state are the target of the lawsuit. In other news, Mississippi settled with Centene over Medicaid drug overcharges; and abortion-rights supporters ask a judge to block Arkansas’ strict abortion ban.
England’s Covid Restrictions To Last An Extra Month
“Freedom day” was supposed to happen on June 21, but the delta covid variant is sweeping the U.K. and has delayed the unlocking. Separately, the World Health Organization warned the G7 nations that their pledge of sharing one billion vaccine doses is not enough.
Perspectives: Areas Of Low Vaccination Left Susceptible; Should Children Be Masked This Summer?
Opinion writers examine these Covid, vaccine and mask issues.
GSK Buys Rights To Experimental Targeted Cancer Immunotherapy
GlaxoSmithKline spent $625 million to secure the anti-TIGIT drug from Iteos Therapeutics. Meanwhile, Broad Institute and MD Anderson work to combat rare cancers; infusions of CRISPR patients’ own immune cells; and executive pay at Mallinckrodt are also in the news.
Doctors Warn Nevada’s Super-Heated Asphalt Could Cause Road Burns
As a heatwave hits Arizona and Nevada, burn center doctors have warned people to avoid touching road surfaces. Meanwhile, reports say 2020 was the deadliest year for gun violence in decades, and CNN anchor Christiane Amanpour reveals she has ovarian cancer.
In Unusual Rebuke, Vatican Says Biden Shouldn’t Be Denied Communion Over Abortion Issue
U.S. bishops were warned not to refuse Joe Biden — a faithful churchgoer and the nation’s second Roman Catholic president — despite his support of abortion rights.
Most Hospitals Are Defying Federal Rule Demanding Price Transparency
A new study in JAMA Internal Medicine says most hospitals aren’t “fully complying” with the new requirement. Cano Health, Humana, UnitedHealthcare, health lobbyists, children’s hospitals rankings, the University of Arkansas and Northern Light are also in the news.
As The Pandemic Spread, Health Care CEOs Pocketed More Pay Than Before
Axios’ survey of 178 health care companies says CEO compensation collectively rose 31% in 2020 versus 2019 numbers. Separately, Stat reports on Vin Gupta’s medical role at Amazon, and a $10,000 research bonus for a dental student is also in the news.
Taylor Greene Apologizes For Her ‘Offensive’ Holocaust Comparison To Masks
Following a trip to the Holocaust Museum, Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene says she made a mistake. She is facing possible censure for the earlier remark. Meanwhile, vaccinated members and staff no longer have to wear masks in the House chamber and lawmakers hold a moment of silence for the 600,000 Americans who have died of covid.
Study Finds Transplant Patients Benefit From 3 Covid Vaccine Doses
In other news, Novavax says its covid vaccine remains effective when coadministered with an already-approved flu shot; Pfizer will study “breakthrough” covid cases; and Moderna starts a study at Emory University into covid vaccine boosters.
Delta Variant Twice As Likely To Cause Hospitalization, Study Shows
Researchers in Scotland compared delta to the alpha strain, formerly referred to as the U.K. variant.
Freedom And Unity: Living Up To Its Motto, Vermont Hits 80% Vaccination
The state is lifting all of its remaining covid restrictions after becoming the first in the U.S. to reach the one-dose milestone.