Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
CDC Urges States To Maintain Restrictions Despite Drop In Cases
The Wall Street Journal: U.S. Cases Under 100,000 For Second Straight Day
The U.S. reported fewer than 100,000 new coronavirus cases for the second day in a row, as data showed that in several states, more than 10% of residents have received an initial dose of Covid-19 vaccines. Newly reported coronavirus cases in the U.S. topped 86,000 for Monday, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University and published early Tuesday. The data may update later. The figure was slightly lower than the previous day’s revised total of 89,581 cases, according to Johns Hopkins. Nearly 27.1 million people in the U.S. have tested positive for the coronavirus since the pandemic began, out of almost 106.5 million world-wide. (Hall, 2/9)
The Hill: CDC Warns States Against Lifting Restrictions Amid Threat Of Virus Variants
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky on Monday urged states against lifting coronavirus restrictions, citing the ongoing virus threat and more contagious variants on the rise despite lower case counts overall. Walensky was asked at a White House press briefing about Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) ending the state's mask mandate, as well as social distancing requirements for bars and restaurants, last week. (Sullivan, 2/8)
AP: New Variants Raise Worry About COVID-19 Virus Reinfections
Evidence is mounting that having COVID-19 may not protect against getting infected again with some of the new variants. People also can get second infections with earlier versions of the coronavirus if they mounted a weak defense the first time, new research suggests. How long immunity lasts from natural infection is one of the big questions in the pandemic. Scientists still think reinfections are fairly rare and usually less serious than initial ones, but recent developments around the world have raised concerns. (Marchione, 2/8)
In related news —
The Hill: Health Officials Warn COVID-19 Eradication Unlikely
The arrival of several vaccines against the coronavirus is cause for celebration in the face of a pandemic that has killed millions across the globe, but health officials and experts are warning that wholly eradicating the virus is not likely an achievable goal. Instead, the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the disease it causes, COVID-19, are likely here to stay, a new and perpetual threat to human health that hums in the background of our everyday lives. (Wilson, 2/8)
The Washington Post: ‘We Have To Be Ready To Adapt,’ Says WHO Chief About The Spread Of Virulent New Virus Variants
In the face of spreading variants of the coronavirus that not only appear more contagious but in some cases more resistant to the newly developed vaccines, the head of the World Health Organization said Monday that we have to adapt and respond. WHO director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said the new evidence that the AstraZeneca vaccine is only minimally effective in preventing infection with covid-19 shows the importance of keeping up with social distancing and other preventative measures. Manufacturers also need to constantly update their vaccines. (Schemm and Cunningham, 2/9)
CIDRAP: Scientists To US: Act Now To Leash Virulent COVID Variant
The B117 SARS-CoV-2 variant, identified in 33 states thus far, will dominate other strains in the coming weeks, triggering major COVID-19 surges such as those seen in Portugal and the United Kingdom—unless the United States immediately scales up surveillance and mitigation efforts, according to a study published yesterday on the preprint server medRxiv. A team led by scientists from the Scripps Research Institute sequenced SARS-CoV-2 genomes from 10 states using US COVID-19 testing facilities to track the emergence and spread of B117, the more transmissible and lethal variant that was first discovered in the United Kingdom in September and likely introduced to the United States during holiday travel. (Van Beusekom, 2/8)
Houston Chronicle: South African Variant Of COVID-19 Confirmed In Houston Area
The likely faster-spreading variant of COVID-19 first detected in South Africa has arrived in the Houston area, according to Houston Methodist Hospital. The hospital system said it found the region’s first case of the troubling strain on Saturday while sequencing the genomes of positive test results. It also found two cases of the variant first discovered in the United Kingdom. The first U.K. variant case in the Houston area was confirmed in early January. (McGuinness, 2/8)
Also —
New York Post: Missouri Teen Who Beat Cancer Three Times Dies From COVID-19
A Missouri teen who beat cancer three times has died from COVID-19 complications, her family said. Aspen Deke, 17, of Kansas City, succumbed to the virus Saturday following a months-long battle that began with her diagnosis in November, news station Fox4 reported. The high school junior had survived a rare form of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, a cancer that impacts white blood cells. (Salo, 2/1)
