Latest KFF Health News Stories
Doctors Puzzled By Drop In Preemie Births During Lockdowns
Several countries independently reported the findings, prompting the call for further research. Public health news is on a doctor’s dismay at non mask wearers, public transportation, open bars, and protection for workers, also.
Just Kidding! 113 Rhode Islanders Got False Positives For COVID
Also in the news: why a COVID test is like a pregnancy test; scientists discover six different types of the disease; and the question of who should pay the tab for testing.
Study: Kids 10 And Older Spread COVID As Effectively As Adults
The data out of South Korea adds yet another complexity to the difficult decision of whether to open schools. Also, more than 80 infants test positive in one Texas county.
White House Aims To Cut Funds For Testing, CDC, NIH In Next Relief Package
In other news about testing and the administration: California Gov. Gavin Newsom was reportedly told to appeal directly to President Donald Trump and to thank him if Newsom wanted help in getting more testing swabs. And Colorado’s governor calls the national testing situation a “complete disgrace.”
Quest Wins First FDA Approval To Conduct ‘Pooled’ COVID Testing
In an effort to increase testing capacity, Quest Diagnostics will now be allowed to “pool” up to four samples together. If the group comes back positive, samples will be tested individually.
With Jobless Benefits Set To Expire, Congress Tackles More Pandemic Aid
The next coronavirus stimulus package tops the agenda for congressional lawmakers trying to negotiate thorny issues like joblessness, state financial assistance and business liability.
Medical-Device Industry On The Rebound During Pandemic
Profits look stronger for medical device makers. In other research news: Does the flu linger in the air, too?
Drugmaker Touts Trial Results Of Potential Coronavirus Treatment
British pharmaceutical company Synairgen says its nebulizer treatment produced a 79% lower risk of COVID-19 patients developing a severe form of the disease than those given a placebo in initial trials. Other drug trial news related to hydroxychloroquine is also reported.
Russia Tries To Distance Itself From Cyberattack Allegations
“I don’t believe in this story at all, there is no sense in it,” Andrey Kelin, Russia’s ambassador to Britain, told the BBC of claims from the U.S., Britain and Canada that Russian hackers are targeting coronavirus treatment and vaccine research.
Appeals Court Rules On HHS Payment Cuts, Expanding Short-Term Health Plans
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has ruled that HHS’ payment cuts to hospitals’ off-site outpatient departments were legal. The D.C. court also upheld the Trump administration’s controversial expansion of short-term, limited-duration health plans.
CMS To Resume Audits Of Medicare Claims
Postponed because of the COVID crisis, audits of health care providers’ Medicare claims will resume.
Amazon Primed To Move Further Into Health Care
Amazon is opening primary-care clinics for some employees; and in a grab bag of health industry news, lawsuits and delayed leadership changes.
Trump Describes ‘Good’ Relationship With Fauci While Calling Out ‘Mistakes’
“He’s a little bit of an alarmist — that’s OK,” President Donald Trump said of his top infectious disease expert. Despite recent criticisms from a few fellow administration officials, Dr. Anthony Fauci continues to urge Americans to take more precautions to stem the coronavirus outbreak.
Trump Plays Down Health Impact Of Virus, Again Predicts It Will ‘Disappear’
In a wide-ranging Fox News interview, President Donald Trump continued to blame testing as to why the U.S. leads the world in coronavirus stats. “Many of those cases shouldn’t even be cases,” he said. He also said he’d leave the decision on mask mandates to state governors.
Florida Cases Continue To Surge Including In The Villages Among Retirees
COVID news from Florida, California, Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, North Carolina, Nevada, Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Ohio and Louisiana.
Grim Milestones: Globe Passes 600,000 Deaths, US Continues To Top Daily Case Records
Over 140,000, or a quarter of the total COVID-19 deaths, were in the U.S. Case counts continue to accelerate to record or near-record levels in California, Florida and Kentucky.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial pages focus on the controversy around mask wearing and other public health issues.
Different Takes: Dangerous War Is Being Waged On Science; Taking Data Away From CDC Is A Mistake
Opinion writers weigh in on these public health issues and others.
How Other Countries Are Faring With COVID
Pandemic news from across the globe with a little bit of good news thrown in.
