Latest KFF Health News Stories
Hydroxychloroquine Study Shelved
Henry Ford Health System officials couldn’t find enough participants to continue studying whether the drug could help beat covid. Other news is on fluvoxamine, remdesivir, Cantel Medical Corp., Tempus, Bluebird Bio, Vertex Pharmaceuticals and an at-home test kit for colon cancer.
Eli Lilly’s Experimental Alzheimer’s Drug Shows Promise In Small Study
The small study shows promise in a similar drug developed by Biogen, offering hope that targeting amyloid plaques can slow decline.
After Capitol Riot, Covid Sinks Its Claws Deeper Into Washington
Two Democrats who took refuge in the same room with maskless Republicans have tested positive. Meanwhile, the District of Columbia is hit with a new surge of cases.
Biden Team To Get 11th-Hour Access To Operation Warp Speed Meetings
The Trump administration had not allowed President-elect Joe Biden’s transition officials to join standing meetings on the pandemic response, Politico reports. Biden also plans to unveil his vaccination plan later this week.
More Contagious Virus Variant Spreads To 10 States; Japan IDs New Mutation
Indiana and Minnesota join the list of states where health officials have confirmed cases of the B.1.1.7 strain, first identified in the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, Japan says that is has detected another coronavirus mutation in travelers arriving from Brazil.
Holiday Spike Starts To Hit Already Crowded, Short-Staffed Hospitals
Four states with the largest share of hospital beds occupied with covid patients – California, Arizona, Nevada and Georgia – are struggling to keep pace with the unprecedented surge, USA Today reports.
Get The Vaccine When It’s Your Turn — Even If You’ve Had Covid, CDC Says
But experts say your age and overall health should play a big part in your decision, especially where supplies of the vaccine are scarce.
Don’t Cut Doses, Moderna Doc Warns; Trial Results Coming Soon From J&J
In other vaccine news, Pfizer and BioNTech have announced plans to boost this year’s production of covid vaccine from more than 1 billion doses to 2 billion doses.
California Includes Disneyland In Multiple ‘Mass Vaccination’ Sites
As cases surge, Gov. Gavin Newsom said five places such as MLB parks and entertainment sites will be used for dispensing vaccines. In Arizona, another hard-hit state, people lined up at a round-the-clock operation at the NFL stadium in Phoenix.
How It All Went Wrong: Bad Planning, Red Tape Blamed In Bumpy Rollout
News outlets look at how the U.S. was caught flat-footed in the early weeks of the vaccine rollout.
States Adapt Inoculation Plans, Extend Access To More Age Groups
New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and the District of Columbia announce changes aimed at accelerating vaccination rates in those areas.
More Doses, More Eligible People: HHS Alters Course To Speed Up Vaccinations
The Trump administration will announce that it is no longer holding back supplies to reserve second doses and is asking states to open up vaccinations to people 65 and older, as well as those with underlying health conditions.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Opinion pages express views about these covid topics and others as deaths from the pandemic head toward 400,000.
Indonesia Signs Off On Emergency Use Of China’s Vaccine
China, where cases are rising again, has also started administering CoronaVac. Bolivia and several other countries are expected to start rolling out vaccinations, as well. News is from South Africa, Italy and England, as well.
Marijuana Smoke Linked To Several Toxins, Study Says
Weed’s smoke is also known to have the same toxic combustion products found in tobacco smoke. News reports are on the battle against heart and lung disease in rural areas, covid cases in the NBA, and more.
Editorial pages focus on these pandemic topics and others.
Chicago Schools Reopen Today, And Many Teachers, Nurses Aren’t Happy
Teachers who don’t show up “will be deemed absent without leave and will not be eligible for pay,” said Janice Jackson, CEO of the nation’s third-largest school district, the Washington Post reported.
2 More Drugs Recommended To Treat Covid In UK, But Not In US
The nations have conflicting research results on Roche’s Actemra and Sanofi and Regeneron’s Kevzara. The United Kingdom says the anti-inflammatory drugs significantly reduce the risk of death in covid patients needing intensive care.
Study: Covid Symptoms Linger For At Least 6 Months
The research from China highlights the growing need for continued care for large swaths of populations and research into covid’s lingering effects, researchers say.
