Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
White House Moves Pandemic Tracking Data Control Back To CDC
Bloomberg: Hospitals On Lockdown To Be Tracked By CDC, Reversing Trump
The Biden administration is moving the U.S. government’s largest public-health tracking system back to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, undoing a much-criticized move by the Trump administration to shift custody of critical data from the nation’s top epidemiological agency. According to a document obtained by Bloomberg News, the Department of Health and Human Services on Oct. 1 signed off on a recommendation to move the system, designed to track pandemic data, out of the management of its own Office of the Chief Information Officer and into CDC’s oversight. The shift comes in the wake of scrutiny over the federal government’s handling of public health data infrastructure, and is intended to ensure long-term stability and ownership of the data system. (Griffin, 10/14)
In other news about the spread of the coronavirus among children —
NBC News: Data Shows More Children Are Getting Sick And Dying From Covid
As the federal government appears ready to approve Covid-19 vaccines for children ages 5 to 11, data shows that September was the country’s worst month for new cases and deaths. Data from the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that cases among children peaked in September, as many schools opened for in-person classes amid the country’s delta variant Covid surge. More than 6 million children have tested positive for Covid since the beginning of the pandemic, with more than 1.1 million new cases recorded from Sept. 3 to Sept. 30. (Chiwaya and Wu, 10/14)
CIDRAP: Kids May Serve As COVID-19 Reservoirs For Variants, Study Says
Using COVID-19 viral load and viral cultures from 110 children, researchers suggest that children may serve as reservoirs for COVID-19, furthering transmission and viral evolution. The researchers created a prospective cohort of patients 21 years or younger who sought care at Massachusetts General Hospital or its urgent care clinics between April 2020 and 2021 (median age, 10 years). About 56% were boys, and 38% were Hispanic. Thirty-six children (33%) required hospitalization, of whom 18 required supplemental oxygen or respiratory support of any kind. (10/14)
The Boston Globe: Mass. Reports 1,901 New Coronavirus Cases Among Public School Students And 337 Among Staff
State education leaders on Thursday reported 1,901 new cases among public school students and 337 among staff members for the week that ended Wednesday. The 2,238 total cases were 10 fewer than those reported last week. About 920,000 students across the state are attending school in person, and about 140,000 staff members are inside school buildings. From Oct. 7 to 13, about 0.21 percent of students and 0.24 percent of staff members reported positive cases of the coronavirus to their school leaders. (Gans, 10/14)
Detroit Free Press: New Data: K-12 Schools Without Mask Mandates In Michigan Saw 62% More Coronavirus Spread
Michigan students who attended K-12 schools with mask requirements in August and September had lower rates of coronavirus transmission than those at schools without mandates, new data from the University of Michigan and the state health department shows. "There's a ton of studies out there and we can see it with our own data here in Michigan: Masking helps prevent transmission," said Marisa Eisenberg, an associate professor in U-M's departments of epidemiology and complex systems.Eisenberg led a team at the university comparing case rates among children in school districts with no mask requirements to those with rules in place. (Jordan Shamus, 10/15)
But many are asking: Is the covid surge over? —
The New York Times: ‘Lurching Between Crisis And Complacency’: Was This Our Last Covid Surge?
Rising immunity and modest changes in behavior may explain why cases are declining, but much remains unknown, scientists say.
Axios: UnitedHealth Thinks The Worst Of COVID May Be Over
UnitedHealth Group raised its profit projections for the rest of 2021 even though the insurer covered 60,000 COVID-19 hospitalizations during the third quarter, a number that was "meaningfully above the second quarter," executives said Thursday. Health insurers expected to incur higher COVID costs in the quarter after the Delta variant ran rampant over the summer, especially in states with low vaccination rates. But UnitedHealth's COVID costs fell in line with its projections and were offset by some providers delaying care again. (Herman, 10/15)
Atlanta Journal-Constitution: After Worst Of The Pandemic, Georgia Hospitals Breathe Sigh Of Relief
Now, though, the number of COVID-19 patients in Georgia hospitals has plunged 66%, down to 2,046 Thursday from a record high of 6,040 on Sept. 7. Over the next few weeks, that trend is likely to continue, according to the U.S. Centers for Prevention and Disease Control. That will make it less likely that hospitals will have to turn away patients in need. “It’s a relief that our numbers have gone down,’’ said Dr. Kathy Hudson, chief medical officer for Phoebe Putney Health System in Albany. “That’s a tremendous relief.” (Berard and Mariano, 10/14)
Also —
The Washington Post: Alaska GOP Lawmaker Lora Reinbold Tests Positive For Covid-19 After Being Banned From Alaska Airlines
An Alaska GOP lawmaker banned from flying on the state’s leading airline for refusing to wear a mask, and therefore unable to travel to and from the state capital, has now tested positive for the coronavirus, she said.State Sen. Lora Reinbold, a Republican representing an Anchorage suburb, wrote on Facebook on Tuesday night that it was her “turn to battle Covid head on.” “Game on! Who do you think is going to win?” Reinbold wrote of her infection. “When I defeat it, I will tell you my recipe.” (Hawkins an dBella, 10/14)
11alive.com: Perry Native, UGA Senior Dies From COVID-19 Complications
A University of Georgia student and Perry native died on Monday due to complications from COVID-19. According to his obituary, Shawn Kuhn, a senior majoring in exercise and sports science, passed away after battling COVID-19-based pneumonia for about six weeks. His sister Sharla Brook Kuhn says he was fully vaccinated, according to The Red and Black. (10/14)
WUSF Public Media: Tampa And Orlando Halt Their Water Supply Emergencies As COVID Hospitalizations Drop
Tampa and Orlando are ending water emergencies now that COVID-19 hospitalizations have declined in the state. In August, the Tampa Water Department began using chlorine to treat water instead of liquid oxygen. This was due to decreased supply, because liquid oxygen that was used for treating the city’s water was being diverted to hospitals for patients suffering from the virus. The department said it is once again using liquid oxygen to treat water at the David L. Tippin Water Treatment Facility. (10/14)
