Latest KFF Health News Stories
Hackers And Fraudsters Target COVID Vaccines, Treatments
The Wall Street Journal reports on one scheme in which North Korean hackers launched a cyberattack on at least six pharmaceutical companies in the U.S., the U.K. and South Korea. Meanwhile, law enforcement warns about potential for fake coronavirus vaccine sales.
Tragic Trio: Florida Hits 1M COVID Cases, Joining California And Texas
The United States reported its second-highest day of COVID-19 deaths Tuesday. The only day to top it was April 15.
UK Approves A Coronavirus Vaccine, The First Western Nation To Do So
Britain authorized emergency use for the COVID-19 shot developed by Pfizer and BioNTech.
CDC Advises Health Care Workers, Then Nursing Homes Get First Shots
CDC Director Robert Redfield must still accept the recommendations, which were approved in a 13-1 vote Tuesday. States aren’t required to follow the guidance.
What Side Effects Should You Expect From The COVID Shot?
Operation Warp Speed chief Dr. Moncef Slaoui says 10% to 15% of vaccine volunteers reported side effects that were “significantly noticeable.” Those side effects included pain at the injection site, fatigue and aching muscles and joints for a day or two.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
As Hospitals Fill With COVID Patients, Medical Reinforcements Are Hard to Find
More than 93,000 COVID patients are hospitalized across the country. But beds and space aren’t the main concern for hospital administrators — It’s the health care workforce.
COVID en restaurantes, el fallido rastreo de contactos deja a comensales sin saber qué hacer
Con el invierno y la gente se reúne cada vez más en interiores, muchos gobiernos locales se mueven a ciegas, al carecer de datos para crear y ajustar las políticas de restricción por COVID.
Viewpoints: New Administration Needs To Reboot Medicare, Medicaid; Lessons On Reopening Schools
Editorial pages focus on these public health issues and others.
New Guidelines Offer ‘Safe’ Opioid Use Plans After Children’s Surgeries
The guidelines, published in JAMA Surgery, acknowledge the risks of misuse, but, “we don’t want to contribute to scaring parents and to scaring physicians about undertreating pain,” said co-author Matthew Kirkpatrick, an addiction expert. Other public health reports are on shortages of COVID tests, failed tracing efforts and more.
Tree Lighting Off Limits In NYC As Another Wave Intensifies
Also, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announces a new winter plan, including identifying retired nurses and doctors who could be called for staffing shortages. News is from New Jersey, California, Washington, Ohio, Michigan and Iowa.
Report: China Downplayed Severity Of Wuhan Outbreak Early On
CNN obtained documents from a Chinese whistleblower detailing what local authorities knew and when, contradicting China’s claims that it never concealed data.
True To Its Name, COVID-19 Likely Spread Unchecked In US Last December
Researchers analyzed blood donations collected by the American Red Cross from residents in nine states. They found evidence of coronavirus antibodies in 106 out of 7,389 blood donations. The CDC analyzed the blood collected between Dec. 13 and Jan. 17.
‘Better Than We Had Feared’: Math Skills Take A Hit, But Not Reading
Researchers stress that the MAP Growth assessments given this fall might be underestimating the impact of online learning among disadvantaged groups.
First Alzheimer’s Blood Test Now On Sale Only With Doctor’s Order
AP reports that the blood test has not been approved by the FDA and is not covered by insurance or Medicare. Its maker, C2N Diagnostics of St. Louis, charges $1,250 and offers discounts based on income. Results are available within 10 days.
FDA To Scrap Controversial ‘Unapproved Drugs Initiative’
Additional reports are on a new HIV medication for babies and on AstraZeneca, Biogen, Kinaset and DeepMind, as well.
For Many Hospitals, Financial Health Is Teetering
The median hospital operating margin dropped 8.5% year over year and 18.7% for January through October compared with the previous year, according to an analysis of about 900 hospitals.
Savings Run Out For More Americans As Senators Face Uphill Relief Talks
NPR reports that more and more people are having to put expenses, even rent, on credit cards and default on bills. With financial struggles deepening, a bipartisan group of senators are trying to kickstart stalled stimulus negotiations.
Partisan Fault Lines Deeply Divide Americans’ Pandemic Views: Survey
The poll urges leaders to “remove politics and partisanship from their messaging” and remind people that mitigation measures are “good for the people they love and will speed up the return to a strong economy and a normal life.”
There’s Never Been Enough Protective Gear For Health Care Workers. Now It’s Even Worse.
Months into the pandemic, medical facilities continue to struggle to procure the PPE needed to keep health care personnel safe from virus exposure. In related news, nurses are in too short supply and California recommends weekly testing for workers.