Mysteries Of Long-Haul Covid Targeted In Federal Research Push
Patients with the syndrome -- Post Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 -- experience a wide range of residual symptoms and not much information on how long they will persist. "(There are) a lot of important questions that are now unanswered that we hope with this series of initiatives we will ultimately answer," Dr. Anthony Fauci says.
USA Today:
Dr. Anthony Fauci Aims To Answer 'A Lot Of Important Questions' About 'COVID Long-Haulers' In New Nationwide Initiative
The U.S. government is launching a nationwide initiative to study COVID-19 patients who suffer from residual symptoms months after recovery, commonly known as "COVID long-haulers," Dr. Anthony Fauci said in a White House briefing Wednesday. The nation's leading infectious diseases expert also revealed a scientific name for the new syndrome – Post Acute Sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC) – further legitimizing the suffering population. "(There are) a lot of important questions that are now unanswered that we hope with this series of initiatives we will ultimately answer," Fauci said. (Rodriguez, 2/24)
ABC7 Los Angeles:
Fauci: NIH To Study 'Long-Haul' COVID-19 Symptoms, Like Brain Fog, Breathing Problems
The National Institutes of Health is launching research to understand the causes and consequences of the lingering brain fog, breathing problems and malaise reported by many recovering COVID-19 patients. Dr. Anthony Fauci says some studies have shown up to 30% of patients report symptoms that can endure for months, complicating their return to normal routines and work, and plunging many recovering patients into depression. (2/24)
In other news related to covid research and testing —
CIDRAP:
COVID-19 Antibodies May Offer At Least Partial Protection
Americans with COVID-19 antibodies displayed 10-fold increased protection against infection 90 days after testing compared with those who had no antibodies, according to a study published today in JAMA Internal Medicine. The study tracked more than 50% of the commercial antibody and diagnostic tests administered in the United States from Jan 8 to Aug 23, 2020, covering 3,257,478 people. At the index test, 88.3% had a negative antibody test, 11.6% were positive, and 0.1% were excluded because of uncertain results. (2/24)
Becker's Hospital Review:
Walgreens To Sell At-Home Saliva COVID-19 Test
An at-home saliva-based PCR COVID-19 test made by Clinical Reference Laboratory will now be available through Walgreens, the retail pharmacy giant said Feb. 24. The test, which received emergency use authorization from the FDA, will be available through Walgreens Find Care, a digital health platform on Walgreens' mobile app. The test reported 100 percent sensitivity and specificity in its emergency use authorization filing, Walgreens said in a news release. (Anderson, 2/24)
360Dx:
Mistakes Were Made In Regulation Of Coronavirus Serology Tests, FDA Officials Acknowledge
Factors including a flawed regulatory approach and false marketing by test developers led to a troubled roll-out of SARS-CoV-2 serology testing this spring, officials at the US Food and Drug Administration have acknowledged. In a recent commentary in the New England Journal of Medicine, Jeffrey Shuren, director of the Center for Devices and Radiological Health (CDRH) at FDA, and Timothy Stenzel, director of the FDA's Office of In Vitro Diagnostics and Radiological Health, recounted the agency's decisions around SARS-CoV-2 serology testing and how an overly lax regulatory stance led to test misuse and confusion within the medical community and population at large. (Bonislawski, 2/24)
