Latest KFF Health News Stories
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers tackle these public health issues.
Opinion writers weigh in on these covid issues.
Tonga Tries To Remain Covid-Free As It Recovers From Volcano Blast
A volcanic eruption covered the island in ash and damaged infrastructure. But Tonga has dodged covid and wants to keep the virus out, despite relief efforts. Meanwhile, the World Health Organization says a billion covid shots have been sent to poorer nations.
This Season’s Influenza Surge May Be Ending, But It Isn’t Gone Yet
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said flu is ending but levels were still elevated, and the risk will remain for at least a few more weeks. Separate reports say flu is also fading in Europe. Meanwhile, Moderna said it will launch a combination flu and covid vaccine as soon as late 2023.
China’s Evergrande Fails To Deliver Cash For Covid Research At Harvard
The real estate company had promised millions to Harvard University but has reneged on its promise. Inmate mental health in Georgia, health care in Georgia’s budget, nursing education in Indiana and more are also in the news.
2022 Medicare Advantage Sign Ups Jump 9% On Last Year
Reports say that there’s been an 8.8% rise in Medicare Advantage enrollments, as of Jan. 1, over the same period last year. But while most beneficiaries in Parts A and B are expected to join Advantage plans by next year, the spending may still outpace traditional paid health costs.
Cost Of Testing For Covid Reveals Social Disparities
NPR and NBC News report on how long lines at free covid test sites and scarce at-home tests have driven more people to pay for tests, with potentially high prices. But the ongoing price of testing and masking up is not easy for a significant number of people. Media outlets cover other testing news.
Omicron Can Sneak Past A Second Booster Shot, Study Finds
A study from Israel has complicated implications for the future of covid vaccinations, since it showed that a fourth dose of Pfizer or Moderna can bring a boost in antibodies but not enough to prevent breakthrough infections of the omicron variant. Meanwhile, ivermectin is in the news again.
Instead Of Case Counts, State Officials Emphasizing Hospitalizations, Deaths
Some epidemiologists say case counts should be relied on only as broad indicators of the velocity and direction of the disease’s transmission, Stateline reports. Also: Hospitals in Oklahoma, Arizona and Utah struggle with a crush of covid patients; Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley tests positive for covid; and more.
CDC Says Cloth Masks Don’t Protect Against Covid As Much As N95s, KN95s
The agency clarified its guidance on masks after recently saying that wearing any mask was better than wearing no mask. It also updated its website to say that there is no longer a shortage of N95s and that anyone can wear them without worrying they will be shortchanging health care workers.
Omicron May Not Be At Peak In US Yet, Health Officials Caution
It’s also too soon to know if the covid variant will be the beginning of the end of the pandemic, Dr. Anthony Fauci says: “I would hope that that’s the case. But that would only be the case if we don’t get another variant that eludes the immune response of the prior variant.”
As Walensky Vows Clarity With Public, CDC Slammed For Its Football Warning
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky has come under fire for the agency’s mish-mash of public health guidelines. One recent advisory in particular touched a nerve: A CDC update on Jan. 6 advised schools to cancel football, band and even exercise in communities with high covid transmission rates.
CMS Extends Full Vaccine Deadline For Many Health Workers To March 15
Medical professionals working in one of the 24 states where the vaccine mandate was reinstated by last week’s Supreme Court decision get a few more weeks to get their covid shots — the first must be done by Feb. 14 and the second by March 15. The deadline everywhere else remains Feb. 28 to be fully vaccinated.
Abortion Clinics’ Appeal Path Lengthened As Case Sent To Texas Supreme Court
The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals rejected a request from health providers to instead return the case to district court. The decision means that Texas’ law effectively banning almost all abortion procedures will remain in effect for additional months as the legal challenge winds its way through the courts.
Today’s early morning highlights from the major news organizations.
Editorial writers delve into these public health topics.
Opinion writers examine these covid issues.
Longer Looks: Interesting Reads You Might Have Missed
Each week, KHN finds longer stories for you to enjoy. This week’s selections include stories on aging, do-it-yourself health care, HIV and more.
Puerto Rico Mandates Boosters For All Students Over 12
The U.S. territory is suffering a surge driven by the omicron variant, with a positivity rate spiking above 36%, Axios reports. At the same time across the globe, an article in Bloomberg says, the World Health Organization is warning Africa’s weekly covid shot rate needs to rise six-fold to reach the target of 70% vaccination by mid-2022.
