Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Covid Cases Fall, But Pandemic Isn't Over Yet
The New York Times: C.D.C. Chief Urges Caution For Unvaccinated Ahead Of Memorial Day
As Memorial Day weekend approaches, the head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offered a hopeful message mixed with caution on Tuesday for Americans planning to celebrate the traditional beginning of summer with friends and family. “If you are vaccinated, you are protected, and you can enjoy your Memorial Day,” the C.D.C. director, Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, said during a White House news conference. “If you are not vaccinated, our guidance has not changed for you, you remain at risk of infection. You still need to mask and take other precautions.” (Levin, 5/26)
CNN: Despite Declining Cases, Expert Warns Unvaccinated Americans Are Still At High Risk For Covid-19
The US is hitting major Covid-19 vaccination milestones, but health experts say those who are not inoculated should not rely on protection from those who are, as their infection risk hasn't gone down in response to declining cases. "The work ahead of us is going to be really challenging because while the people who are fully vaccinated are well protected, we still have to keep on convincing individuals who are not yet vaccinated that they are not safe," CNN medical analyst Cr. Leana Wen told Wolf Blitzer. "The pandemic is not over for them." (Holcombe, 5/26)
The Hill: HHS Commits $4.8B For Testing Uninsured People For COVID-19
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced Tuesday that it is designating $4.8 billion to provide relief funding for COVID-19 testing for uninsured people in the U.S. The administration intends the funding from the American Rescue Plan to ensure the approximately 29 million uninsured U.S. residents have access to COVID-19 testing in order to track where the virus is prevalent for appropriate responses. (Coleman, 5/25)
Axios: Black And Hispanic Americans Seeing Higher COVID Case Rates As Vaccinations Lag
Black and Hispanic Americans are once again seeing higher coronavirus case rates than white Americans — as their vaccination rates continue to lag, per CDC data. The virus will continue to infect and kill people who aren't protected from it. If fewer people of color are vaccinated, that means more are at risk of getting sick — which is exactly what's happening among some groups. (Owens, 5/25)
From the states —
WUSF Public Media: Florida's Daily Tally Of New COVID Cases Lowest Since October: 1,606
The Florida Department of Health on Monday reported 1,606 new coronavirus cases, fewest in a day since mid-October. Statewide, the deaths of 28 people from COVID-19 complications were recorded Monday. That brings the total number of deaths from the virus in Florida to 37,235. Numbers are traditionally low on Monday. The state reported only 49,857 tests were returned, the lowest number in a month, and about 32,000 fewer than the daily average for the last two weeks. (Newborn, 5/25)
The Baltimore Sun: Despite Progress, Marylanders Are Still Being Hospitalized With COVID — And They’re Younger Now
Shirlonda Tucker didn’t leave the house much in the past year, and she double-masked when she did. So her positive COVID-19 test came as a shock. “I said, ‘Are you sure, you’re really sure?’” she quizzed the nurse who tested her last month after she began showing symptoms. Cases, hospitalizations and deaths are all down significantly in Maryland from the winter surge, but people continue to get sick — in some cases, very sick. On Tuesday, 442 were hospitalized, 118 in intensive care. Seven more deaths were reported, bringing the state’s coronavirus death toll to 8,838. (Cohn, 5/26)
