Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
If Your At-Home Covid Test Freezes During Delivery, It'll Be OK If Thawed
Anchorage Daily News: At-Home COVID-19 Tests That Freeze In Transit Are Likely Still Usable — Just Make Sure They’re Thawed Out
The federal government has launched a website that allows every household in the U.S. to order four at-home COVID-19 tests to be shipped to their home free of charge. As those tests start arriving on Alaskans’ doorsteps this week, health officials responded to concerns that the tests could freeze and become unusable if they were left in mailboxes in freezing temperatures for too long. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in updated guidance posted over the weekend that the tests should work even after spending time in the cold. However, “test performance may be impacted if the test is used while it is still cold,” the FDA said. (Berman, 1/25)
In other testing news —
CBS News: Elton John Postpones Several Texas Shows After Testing Positive For COVID-19
Sir Elton John is rescheduling his Dallas shows after testing positive for COVID-19, the star wrote on Instagram Tuesday. He had just started back on his "Farewell Yellow Brick Road" tour last week. ... The music icon added that he's fully vaccinated and boosted and expects to be able to perform at his scheduled show in Arkansas this weekend. (Reardon, 1/25)
AP: Virginia Sen. Warner Announces Positive COVID-19 Test
U.S. Sen. Mark Warner of Virginia has tested positive for a breakthrough case of COVID-19 and is working from home, his office said Tuesday. Rachel S. Cohen, Warner’s communications director, said the 67-year-old Demcorat was glad he had been vaccinated and received booster shots. Her statement said all of his symptoms are “extremely mild.” (1/26)
In other news about the pandemic —
Noticias Telemundo: Pregnant Latinas Face Higher COVID Threat
Pregnant Hispanic women in the U.S. are 2.4 times more likely to get COVID-19 than other women, according to a study from Sutter Health. The nonprofit health care network is urging medical professionals to encourage more vaccinations for Latinas. Pregnant people with COVID-19 face higher risks of maternal death and of premature births and stillbirths, research shows. (Franco, 1/25)
AP: Pennsylvania Fast-Tracks $225M In Pandemic Aid To Hospitals
Pennsylvania’s state Senate fast-tracked legislation Tuesday to spend $225 million to help hospitals struggling to keep staff on board as the omicron variant of the coronavirus has packed hospitals with unvaccinated patients. The bill has backing from Gov. Tom Wolf and House leaders, and was expected to receive a final House vote Wednesday. The money is from federal pandemic relief signed by President Joe Biden last March. (1/26)
CBS News: Photojournalist-Turned-Nurse Captures COVID Patients' Intimate Moments
CBS News and David Begnaud, lead national correspondent for "CBS Mornings," have extensively covered COVID-19 across the country since the pandemic began. Invariably, everywhere they went, a nurse or doctor has told Begnaud, "If only the public could see what we've seen." Photographer Alan Hawes has tried to document the impact of COVID-19 with his photos. When he goes to work at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, he brings with him a special ability as he cares for the sickest of the sick COVID patients: he takes pictures of what many will never see. (1/25)
AP: Health Official Bows Out Of Mardi Gras Parade; Cites Threats
New Orleans’ health director says she won’t take part in one of the earliest parades of the Mardi Gras season, citing threats over the city’s resumption of COVID-19 restrictions to combat the highly contagious omicron variant. The Krewe du Vieux says it still considers Dr. Jennifer Avegno its queen and will include her float in its parade, one of the first in the Carnival season leading up to Fat Tuesday, news outlets reported. The parade, known for wild satire, will be held Feb. 12 under the theme “Vaxxed and Confused.” (1/25)
