Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Vaccines Making Dent In Covid Surge; Some Say Home Covid Tests Too Pricey
The Wall Street Journal: Vaccines Appear To Be Slowing Spread Of Covid-19 Infections
Vaccines appear to be starting to curb new Covid-19 infections in the U.S., a breakthrough that could help people return to more normal activities as infection worries fade, public-health officials say. By Tuesday, 37.3% of U.S. adults were fully vaccinated against Covid-19, with about 2.7 million shots each day. Data from Johns Hopkins University shows the seven-day average for new U.S. cases has fallen below the 14-day average for more than a week, which epidemiologists said is a strong signal that cases are starting to slide again after a recent upswing. When the seven-day average is higher than the 14-day average, it suggests new cases are accelerating. (Whelan and Kamp, 4/28)
Axios: Coronavirus Cases Fall As More Americans Get Vaccinated
New coronavirus infections fell by roughly 16% over the past week in the U.S. — a big improvement after weeks of stasis. More than half of American adults have gotten at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, and that seems to finally be putting a dent in the size of the country’s outbreak. (Baker and Witherspoon, 4/29)
The New York Times: In U.S., Virus Cases Have Recently Dropped In Over Half Of States
More than half of U.S. states have seen a significant decline in new coronavirus cases over the past two weeks, as federal health officials suggest that the virus’s trajectory is improving. Still, the uneven distribution of vaccinations point to the challenge of persuading reluctant Americans to get vaccinated. As of Wednesday, the United States was averaging over 52,000 new cases a day, a 26 percent decline from two weeks ago, and comparable to the level of cases reported in mid-October before the deadly winter surge, according to a New York Times database. Since peaking in January, cases, hospitalizations and deaths nationwide have drastically declined. (4/29)
In related news about the spread of the coronavirus —
Salt Lake Tribune: Utah Reports More Than 500 More New Cases Of COVID-19, And Four More Utahns Have Died From The Virus
On the same day that Utah passed the 900,000 mark for people fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the state also reported 518 new cases of the coronavirus and four more deaths. That’s the second day in a row the number of new cases has exceeded 500, and the most deaths in a single day in a month. The Utah Department of Health last reported four deaths on March 27. Roughly 39% of eligible Utahns age 16 and older have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19, receiving either both doses of the Moderna or Pfizer vaccines or the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine. (That’s based on the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 estimate of Utah’s population.) (Pierce and Means, 4/28)
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin Reports 34 COVID-19 Deaths, Highest Mark In Over Two Months
The Department of Health Services reported 34 COVID-19 deaths on Wednesday, the highest mark since Feb. 16. "The 34 deaths have been added since yesterday, but the deaths didn’t necessarily occur yesterday. The number recorded reflects when COVID-19 deaths are confirmed and reported," said Jennifer Miller, Department of Health Services spokesperson. The reported high counts from last week combined with Wednesday's death count brings the seven-day average of daily deaths to 12, up nine deaths from a month ago. (Bentley, 4/28)
Axios: NYT: Cuomo Aides Blocked Officials From Releasing COVID Nursing Home Death Toll
Senior aides to New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) engaged in a sustained campaign over several months to keep state health officials from releasing the full nursing home death toll caused by the coronavirus, the New York Times reports. The FBI is investigating Cuomo's office following a probe by New York Attorney General Letitia James, also a Democrat, that found his administration undercounted deaths in nursing homes by as much as 50%. (Rummier, 4/28)
In news about covid testing —
The Wall Street Journal: At-Home Covid-19 Tests Might Cost Too Much For Regular Use
Covid-19 tests for people to use to get quick results at home are finally becoming available to buy at pharmacies and retailers. Yet an obstacle might stand in the way of regular use: cost. Many health authorities have been looking forward to the introduction of the fast-acting tests, which people could take at home to see if they are infected. The paper-strip tests also could help curb the spread of the coronavirus, supporters say, if people used them a few times a week. (Abbott, 4/28)
CBS News: States Test At-Home COVID-19 Testing Program
Federal health officials have sent thousands of at-home COVID-19 tests to residents in North Carolina and Tennessee as part of a larger study focused on how the coronavirus spreads. The free testing kits, distributed by the Centers For Disease Control and Prevention and the National Institutes of Health, arrived earlier this month to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Pitt County, North Carolina. Researchers at those agencies want to see if the spread of COVID-19 will be reduced if more people are given quick access to at-home testing. (Brooks, 4/28)
