Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Investigation Into Cuomo Expands To Covid Testing Access
The New York Times: Cuomo Investigation By U.S. Examines Coronavirus Tests For 'Specials'
Federal prosecutors have been looking into whether Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s administration granted special access to rapid coronavirus test results for the governor’s family and other influential people, according to two people with knowledge of the discussions. Investigators from the Eastern District of New York had been looking into the handling of data on nursing home deaths by Mr. Cuomo’s office. More recently, their focus expanded, according to the people, to include questions surrounding a priority testing program that benefited Mr. Cuomo’s close family members, including his brother, Chris Cuomo, in the early weeks of the pandemic. (Goodman, 5/19)
The Wall Street Journal: Criminal Probe Of Andrew Cuomo Administration Broadens To Covid-19 Testing Issues
Federal investigators are examining whether New York state officials gave priority access to Covid-19 testing to some of Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s close associates and his brother during the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, according to people familiar with the matter. The review of the testing marks an expansion of the probe that the investigators, based in the U.S. attorney’s office for the Eastern District of New York, opened in February to look at how the Cuomo administration handled Covid-19 in nursing homes. (Vielkind, 5/19)
More news on testing —
Miami Herald: Florida-Run COVID Testing Sites Closing At The End Of May. Where Can You Go Next?
All state-run testing sites in Florida will close by the end of May — including the sites at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens and C.B. Smith Park in Pembroke Pines. The sites will close by May 28, according to the schedule posted on the Florida Division of Emergency Management website. State-run testing sites in Manatee and Sarasota counties have already shut down. (Marchante, 5/20)
News Center Maine: Maine CDC To Allow Schools That Participate In COVID-19 Pooled Testing To Drop 3-Foot Spacing Requirement
Maine schools that participate in the new COVID-19 pooled testing program could be allowed to drop the three-foot spacing requirement if those schools reach a certain amount of students that take part. The guidance from DHHS, released Monday, said that if 30 percent of a school's population participates in the pooled testing program, they no longer have to follow the three-foot spacing requirement, which would allow more kids to be in classrooms learning in-person. (Costa, 5/19)
The Star Democrat: COVID-19 Wastewater Testing Proves Effective In New Study
Wastewater testing is an effective way to identify new cases of COVID-19 in nursing homes and other congregate living settings, and it may be particularly useful for preventing outbreaks in college dormitories, a new University of Virginia study finds. The research, a collaboration of UVA’s School of Medicine and School of Engineering, was led by UVA Health’s Amy Mathers, MD. It offers some of the first clear guidance on the most effective methods to perform testing to detect COVID-19 in wastewater. (5/19)
The Pew Charitable Trusts: COVID-19 Tests Highlight Need For Strengthened FDA Oversight And Diagnostics Legislation
The COVID-19 pandemic created overwhelming demand for tests that diagnose the disease or identify past infection. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has responded by authorizing the emergency use of more than 300 coronavirus tests that medical device manufacturers and laboratories have developed to meet the varying needs of health care providers and public health authorities. (5/19)
The Guardian: Dogs Can Better Detect Covid In Humans Than Lateral Flow Tests, Finds Study
Dogs are better at detecting Covid-19 in humans than many fast lateral flow tests (LFTs), according to a French study which could see canines more widely deployed for mass virus screening in crowded places including airports. (Henley, 5/20)
