Latest KFF Health News Stories
Study: One-Third Of Covid Patients Diagnosed With Neurological Disorder
About 1 in 8 of the patients were diagnosed for the first time with such an illness, most commonly anxiety or depression, Stat reports.
5 States Have Almost Half Of All New Covid Infections
As different covid variants are reported in cases across the country, the AP says that New York, Michigan, Florida, Pennsylvania and New Jersey together reported 44% of new covid cases over the most recent seven-day period.
All Adults Can Have A Covid Shot By April 19, Biden Says
The White House did not say how it intends to get remaining states to move up their timelines from the earlier May 1 goal.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Ways Covid Has Changed Health Systems; Genomic Sequencing Needed To Slow Pandemic
Opinion writers tackle these Covid issues.
Perspectives: New Hospital Pricing Rules Provide Clarity; Abortion Opponents Want National Ban
Editorial pages weigh in on these public health topics.
Covid Has Killed 3 Million Worldwide
As a covid uptick in India takes the daily infection rate past 100,000, variants like P.1 cause worry in Peru and the Philippines is suffering a huge surge, it’s estimated 3 million people have died as a result of the pandemic coronavirus.
Utah Makes Fathers Responsible For Child Support From Conception
In other news across the states, Arkansas’ governor vetoes a bill banning health care access by trans youth, Ohio consolidates its pandemic orders and keeps mask requirements, and reports say only about half of children at risk in Massachusetts are visited by child welfare.
Brain Injury Recovery Treatments Used Against Long Covid Effects
The Wall Street Journal reports on novel neurological treatments to help people suffering from long covid. Meanwhile, worries emerge about athlete heart-health after covid, and campylobacter infections from raw milk affect people in Washington state.
Government, For-Profit Hospitals More Charitable Than Non-Profits
Data from a new study says non-profit hospitals spent just 2.3% of total expenses on free services for the disadvantaged, versus 3.8% for for-profit providers and 4.1% for government-run services.
New Daily-Dose ADHD Drug Gets FDA Approval
The drug is the first new one for child ADHD approved in more than a decade. Separately, the FDA has turned down a request to expand use of an anti-psychosis drug to include dementia sufferers. Elsewhere a Utah pharmacist is sentenced for illegally importing hydroxychloroquine.
This Fall, More Colleges To Mandate Covid Vaccines For Students
Meanwhile, Walgreens is switching its second-dose vaccine schedule from four weeks down to the recommended three-week time frame; Dr. Anthony Fauci says covid vaccines are likely safe during pregnancy; and work progresses on new, hopefully cheaper, vaccines.
More States Offer Covid Vaccination To All Adults Over 16
From Maryland to Wisconsin, millions more adults are now eligible for the covid vaccine. But not all jurisdictions have opened the ranks to anyone older than 16.
Fauci Says Covid Vaccine Passports Unlikely To Be Government Mandated
Also, covid vaccinations for passengers or staff are not going to be mandated for cruise companies as they return to business, according to the CDC. But flagship Middle East airline Qatar says vaccine passports are likely to be required across the industry.
Biden Administration Taps Gayle Smith As Global Coronavirus Coordinator
Smith is the former director of the U.S. Agency for International Development. In other White House news, U.S. officials reportedly are helping AstraZeneca find a new manufacturing partner after the mix-up at Emergent BioSolutions’ plant in Maryland.
CDC Updates Rules For Cleaning Surfaces To Protect Against Covid
Only where there is a suspected or confirmed case of covid is it necessary to disinfect indoor surfaces, says the CDC now. Cleaning surfaces with regular soap products is good enough, otherwise.
Covid Infections Climb Across The US
In Arkansas, covid cases in public schools increased about 15% statewide over the seven-day period that ended Monday.
Kids Play ‘Huge Role’ In Spreading B.1.1.7 Variant, Osterholm Says
Leading epidemiologist Dr. Michael Osterholm is now questioning his previous advice: “All the things that we had planned for about kids in schools with this virus are really no longer applicable. We’ve got to take a whole new look at this issue.”
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Viewpoints: Are Vaccine Passports The Key To Travel?; Can Employers Legally Mandate Vaccination?
Opinion writers weigh in on these issues and more.
