Latest KFF Health News Stories
California Spent $12M On A COVID Facility — But Only 9 Patients Came
Other pandemic developments are reported out of Idaho, Arizona, Oklahoma, Texas, Ohio, Utah, Mississippi, Missouri, Georgia, New York and the Washington, D.C. area.
Some States Allowing Nursing Home Visitors Again
Texas and Washington are opening nursing homes to visitors. Indiana releases numbers that reveal two-thirds of its COVID deaths were in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
WHO Report: Cases In Younger People Are Soaring
Unlike when the pandemic started, more cases are being seen in young adults, teens, young children and babies. Research news on asymptomatic people, the immune system and DIY tests, as well.
COVID, Racial Strife Bring Stress To Many — But Especially Vulnerable Parents
Media outlets report on the deteriorating mental health of adults and children. Michelle Obama says she is suffering too and Headspace’s app is soaring.
More Athletes Test Positive; Cruise Canceled
But Marlins players are back and the games resume. In other news about recreation, an Alaska cruise was canceled because someone tested positive for coronavirus.
A 7-year-old in Georgia dies; a 7-month-old in New Jersey tests positive. In other news from across the country: big motorcycle rally still on, Ohio bars linked to spread and two cats also test positive.
Cancer Patients With COVID Dying At Higher Rate Than Others, Studies Find
Also: bacterial meningitis diagnosed in Maryland boy; parents of AFM survivors share advice; and how to parent highly sensitive children.
High Schools Open And Worries Intensify
Georgia school officials punish a student who revealed the unmasked chaos inside a high school; elsewhere, everyone waits to see if the pandemic resurges as a result of returning students.
Johns Hopkins Reverses — Classes Online Now
Johns Hopkins University says fall classes will be online but other universities are proceeding with plans for students to migrate during a pandemic to attend classes on campus.
Will A Vaccine Be Safe? FDA Under Pressure Over Approval Process
And as the development of several experimental vaccines is fast tracked, thorny questions are raised about efficacy, testing, costs, ingredient availability and quality.
Italy Becomes First Country To Force Drugmakers To Disclose Data On Public Funding
In other pharmaceutical developments: Pfizer teams with Gilead to manufacture remdesivir; AbbVie settles Humira case; Biogen to pay more than $1 billion to Denali for the rights to a Parkinson’s drug.
Data Breaches Add To Hospitals’ Troubles
A reported 28 data breaches affecting 1.1. million patients were reported in July. Hospital news is from Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Illinois and Pennsylvania, as well.
July Jobs Rise Higher Than Expected Though Unemployed Suffer
July’s job report beat estimates, growing to 1.8 million. But economists worry hiring is stalling while millions still without work suffer hardship with relief aid expiring and some jobs disappearing forever.
Pandemic Spawns Voting Innovations
And a fair share of miscues.
US Can Avoid Another Lockdown If Everyone Does Their Part, Fauci Forecasts
The Trump administration’s top public health experts weigh in on the current state of the pandemic.
Stimulus Talks Edge Toward Breakdown With Sides Still Far Apart
With Democratic lawmakers and White House negotiators both pointing fingers at each other, hours of tense negotiations on overdue coronavirus relief measures end Thursday with little progress and an uncertain path forward.
State Department Lifts Global Travel Advisory
The original U.S. advisory was issued on March 19. Now the State Department will return to issuing advisories on a country-by-country basis. Also in pandemic travel news, COVID travel restrictions separate couples and families.
US Surpasses 160,000 Coronavirus Deaths, Adding 10,000 Over Last Week
The global picture is also grim: total confirmed cases reach 19 million. Daily cases in the United States continue to stay below July’s highs though.
Federal Government Must Buy Some Drugs From US Makers, Trump Orders
President Donald Trump signed a “Buy American” executive order aimed at boosting domestic production of prescription drugs and medical supplies that are vital in an emergency like the current pandemic. Also, the president’s announced action on drug pricing has yet to be released.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.