Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
COVID's US Grip Strengthens: Record Cases In 9 States, Rising In 21 Others
Reuters: As Cold Weather Arrives, U.S. States See Record Increases In COVID-19 Cases
Nine U.S. states have reported record increases in COVID-19 cases over the last seven days, mostly in the upper Midwest and West where chilly weather is forcing more activities indoors. On Saturday alone, four states - Kentucky, Minnesota, Montana and Wisconsin - saw record increases in new cases and nationally nearly 49,000 new infections were reported, the highest for a Saturday in seven weeks, according to a Reuters analysis. Kansas, Nebraska, New Hampshire, South Dakota and Wyoming also set new records for cases last week. (Shumaker, 10/4)
The Wall Street Journal: New U.S. Coronavirus Cases Fall Below 40,000 For First Time In A Week
The U.S. reported fewer than 40,000 new coronavirus cases for the first time in a week, as President Trump remained hospitalized with Covid-19. The 38,630 cases reported Sunday constitute the lowest daily increase since last Monday, when the U.S. reported 33,312 new cases, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. (Martin, 10/5)
The New York Times: Covid-19 Continues Its Ever-Changing Onslaught On The U.S.
Covid-19 has proved itself an unpredictable and ever-changing threat. As President Trump and some of his allies and associates test positive for the coronavirus, the number of new cases reported each day across the United States has been slowly rising. The nation’s response has been uneven and inconsistent. Here is where the country is now. (Smith and Davey, 10/3)
CNN: A Covid-19 Surge In Fall And Winter Could Kill 2,900 Americans A Day. Here's Why, And How You Can Turn The Tide Around
By the end of December, Covid-19 could kill more than 2,900 people a day in the US, according to projections Monday from the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation. But it doesn't have to be that way. With a smart approach to these cold-weather months, researchers say you can defy their grim projections. (Yan, 10/5)
In related news on the COVID crisis —
WTOP: Empty Chairs Sit On Ellipse Near White House In Remembrance Of Those Who Died Of COVID-19
Thousands gathered both in person and virtually on Sunday afternoon to mourn the more than 200,000 lives lost in the U.S. from COVID-19. Twenty thousand empty chairs were set up on the Ellipse south of the White House in D.C. this weekend, with each one representing roughly 10 people who have died from the coronavirus. Musical tributes and a call to action from Grammy award-winning singer and former U.S. Ambassador for Health Dionne Warwick were part of a national remembrance ceremony put together by the group COVID Survivors for change. (Bonk, 10/5)
The Washington Post: Memorial Held Outside White House In Solemn Reminder Of More Than 200,000 Americans Killed By Covid-19
On Sunday, Brian Walter was one of nearly two dozen people directly affected by the coronavirus to mourn the more than 200,000 American who have been killed by covid-19 and push for a national plan for recovery.They gathered on the grassy Ellipse just south of the White House and in proximity to the Rose Garden, where those attending President Trump’s announcement of his Supreme Court nominee flouted recommendations on wearing masks and social distancing. Trump and at least eight other people who attended the Sept. 26 ceremony have since tested positive for the coronavirus. (Brice-Saddler, 10/4)
CNN: A Vaccine Can Provide Better Immunity Than Infection, Expert Says
Two recent studies have confirmed that two people previously infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, can be reinfected with the virus. Interestingly, the two people had different outcomes. The person in Hong Kong showed no symptoms on the second infection, while the person from Reno, Nevada, had a more severe version of the disease the second time around. It is therefore unclear if an immune response to SARS-CoV-2 will protect against subsequent reinfection. (Shivkumar, 10/2)
