Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
While Rates Of Vaccination Speed Up, Fourth Surge May Be Brewing
CNBC: U.S. Hits Record Daily Covid Vaccinations But Health Officials Warn Against Loosening Restrictions
The United States administered a record number of Covid-19 vaccines over the weekend as public health officials call on state leaders to keep social distancing measures in place in order to avoid a new surge that could undermine progress in fighting the virus. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention administered 2.9 million vaccines on Saturday, a record, and 2.4 million on Sunday, according to the agency’s latest tally. The numbers are subject to revisions as more data becomes available to public health officials. (Macias, 3/7)
CNN: Here's How Close The US Is To A Possible Covid-19 Surge, Expert Warns
The US is in the "eye of the hurricane" right now, according to epidemiologist Michael Osterholm. After months of devastation, it appeared things were heading in the right direction with officials reporting several weeks of steep declines in Covid-19 cases and lowered hospitalization numbers. But now case declines have stopped and infection numbers plateaued at very high levels -- with the US averaging roughly 60,000 new cases daily in the past week. Multiple governors have eased Covid-19 safety measures despite health officials' warnings. Spring break events are kicking off across the country, threatening the potential for further spread of the virus. (Maxouris, 3/8)
The New York Times: In Oregon, Scientists Find A Virus Variant With A Worrying Mutation
Scientists in Oregon have spotted a homegrown version of a fast-spreading variant of the coronavirus that first surfaced in Britain — but now combined with a mutation that may make the variant less susceptible to vaccines. The researchers have so far found just a single case of this formidable combination, but genetic analysis suggested that the variant had been acquired in the community and did not arise in the patient. (Mandavilli, 3/5)
In related news —
CNN: Spring Break Could Be A Perfect Storm For Spreading Coronavirus Variants. Don't Let That Happen
Highly contagious variants will soon have a ridiculously easy chance to spread rapidly across the US. Spring break starts for hundreds of universities this month. And typical spring break revelry could lead to countless more Americans getting infected as coronavirus variants threaten to outpace vaccinations. "It's the perfect storm," said Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine. (Yan, 3/6)
AP: Daytona Motorcycle Rally Goes On Despite Pandemic
Despite the coronavirus pandemic, Daytona Beach’s annual Bike Week has brought tens of thousands of motorcyclists to the city and its neighbors this weekend — and few of them are wearing masks. The city made a bargain with its bars — 60% capacity indoors in return for the permits necessary for temporary outdoor sales and entertainment. The city is trying to avoid what happened at the Sturgis, South Dakota, motorcycle rally in August — that event led to a disputed number of infections around the country, ranging from several hundred to tens or hundreds of thousands. (3/6)
CIDRAP: Americans' COVID-19 Optimism Grows, But CDC Head More Wary
Six out of 10 Americans say the pandemic is improving, according to the latest Gallup poll, which represents the most optimistic portrait of American's attitude surrounding COVID-19 in the past year. Twenty-six percent of those polled say the pandemic is staying the same, and 14% believe it is getting worse. (Soucheray, 3/5)
Stat: A Pandemic Expert Weighs In On The Long Road Ahead For Covid Vaccines
Though nearly 300 million doses of Covid-19 vaccines have been administered around the globe so far, the world still has a long way to go before we can think about declaring the pandemic over. Vaccine distribution remains wildly inequitable, with wealthy countries vaccinating at far higher rates than low- and middle-income countries. (Branswell, 3/8)
