Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Covid Surges Shift To Younger People, As Older Generation Is Vaccinated
ABC News: With Older Americans Largely Vaccinated, More New COVID-19 Cases Among Younger Adults
As more older Americans get vaccinated an increasing number of new COVID-19 cases are impacting younger adults, prompting warnings that Americans remain vigilant in an effort to prevent more people from becoming sick. The number of new COVID-19 cases increased more than 10% in 26 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico since last week, a possible signal that the country is on the cusp of a new surge. And for the first time, the majority of new hospitalizations have been younger adults, with cases among people ages 50-65 increasing more than those older than 65, who are more likely to have been vaccinated. And in some states, like Michigan and Massachusetts, the number of cases among older children, teenagers and young adults have also increased. (Ebbs and Brownstein, 3/31)
NBC News: New Rise In Covid Cases Shows That, Yes, The Vaccines Work
The increase in immunity among older adults is illustrated in the shift in age groups most likely to seek care for Covid-19. Nationwide, "the number of 25-to-49-year-olds visiting U.S. emergency departments for diagnosed Covid-19 is now higher than the number of visits among patients 65 and older," the CDC said in a statement to NBC News.(Edwards, 3/30)
Bloomberg: U.S. Covid-19 Deaths Expected To Rise Soon With New Wave Emerging
Covid-19 deaths in the U.S. are expected to bottom out in the next two weeks and then may inch higher as the nation races to blunt an incipient new wave of cases with its vaccination campaign. A plateau or small increase -- instead of the hoped-for decline -- could mean tens of thousands of additional fatalities. The deaths are likely to dip to 6,028 in the week ending April 10 before slightly increasing, according to the Covid-19 Forecast Hub, a project from the University of Massachusetts Amherst’s Reich Lab. Its so-called ensemble forecast, which was updated Tuesday, is based on dozens of independent models and projects fatalities four weeks into the future. (Levin, 3/30)
The Atlantic: The Fourth Surge Of The Pandemic Is Upon Us
Across the United States, cases have started rising again. In a few cities, even hospitalizations are ticking up. The twists and turns of a pandemic can be hard to predict, but this most recent increase was almost inevitable: A more transmissible and more deadly variant called B.1.1.7 has established itself at the precise moment when many regions are opening up rapidly by lifting mask mandates, indoor-gathering restrictions, and occupancy limits on gyms and restaurants. (Tufekci, 3/30)
CNN: A Dangerous Coronavirus Variant Is Wreaking Havoc In Parts Of Europe. Experts Fear US Could Be Next
A dangerous coronavirus variant is already wreaking havoc in other parts of the world and an expert says it's critical the US sticks with safety measures during the next few months to be able to beat another surge and keep people safe. The B.1.1.7 variant, first spotted in the UK, is more contagious, may cause more severe disease and is rapidly infecting younger populations, epidemiologist Michael Osterholm told CNN on Tuesday night. Recent research suggests the strain may also be more deadly. (Maxouris, 3/31)
Axios: Advocates Warn: The Clock Is Ticking On New Variants
Some experts say the world may only have a year or less to stave off a new round of COVID-19 variants that could evade the existing vaccines, according to survey conducted by advocates trying to speed up vaccinations in developing nations. Variants emerge when viruses spread widely, so quickly vaccinating the entire world is the best way to curb new variants. But some experts are afraid we won't get there fast enough. (Fernandez, 3/31)
From Florida —
The Hill: New Research Questions Florida's COVID-19 Death Toll
A study published this month says that Florida has underreported its coronavirus deaths by thousands of cases. As Yahoo News reported Tuesday, the study published in the American Journal of Public Health states that the impact of the pandemic in Florida “is significantly greater than the official COVID-19 data suggest.” Researchers came to their conclusions by comparing the estimated deaths in the state from March to September and compared that figure to the actual number of recorded deaths, or the “excess deaths.” (Choi, 3/30)
WUSF Public Media: Florida's COVID Positivity Rate Of 7.58% Is Highest Since Early February
The positivity rate for new coronavirus cases in the state reached 7.58% percent on Monday, the highest since the beginning of February. It's the fourth straight day the rate has increased, the Florida Department of Health reported. That came on 56,848 tests returned Sunday, about 45,000 fewer than the two-week daily average. From those tests, 3,374 people were positive Monday. That's the lowest daily count in a week. (Newborn, 3/30)
