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Latest Morning Briefing Stories

Surging Health Care Worker Quarantines Raise Concerns As Coronavirus Spreads

KFF Health News Original

The number of U.S. health care workers who have been ordered to self-quarantine because of potential exposure to the new coronavirus is rising at an exponential pace. Many experts say something has to change.

During A Pandemic, States’ Patchwork Of Crisis Strategies Could Mean Uneven Care

KFF Health News Original

If a coronavirus pandemic were to hit the U.S., only 36 states have blueprints for “crisis standards of care” to sort out who gets what kind of medical care amid scarce resources. And not all the plans are of high quality. That means health care providers in some states will be better prepared for a crisis than others — but all could face tough decisions.

As Coronavirus Cases Grow, So Does Scrutiny Of Nursing Home Infection Plans

KFF Health News Original

Seema Verma, administrator for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, calls on state and federal health inspectors to focus on how facilities keep infections from spreading, especially in areas that have reported coronavirus cases.

Analysis: One Sure Thing About COVID-19: No Telling How Many People Have It

KFF Health News Original

In an era when we get flash-flood warnings on our phones and weekly influenza statistics from every state, vital knowledge about the coronavirus outbreak is being kept under wraps.

Nursing Home Outbreak Spotlights Coronavirus Risk In Elder Care Facilities

KFF Health News Original

The spread of coronavirus disease to a skilled nursing facility in Washington state underscores the risk the deadly new virus poses in elder care facilities, where illnesses caused by more common pathogens, like seasonal influenza, often spread rapidly.

Brote de coronavirus en Washington revela riesgo en los centros de adultos mayores

KFF Health News Original

En los Estados Unidos, 2.2 millones de personas viven en entornos de atención a largo plazo y pueden estar en mayor riesgo debido a la edad y a condiciones de salud subyacentes.

New California Coronavirus Case Reveals Problems with U.S. Testing Protocols

KFF Health News Original

Disease experts say a new coronavirus case in California underscores the need for more widespread community testing for the illness, as well as problems caused by the delays in getting functional coronavirus test kits to state and local public health agencies. 

As The Coronavirus Spreads, Americans Lose Ground Against Other Health Threats

KFF Health News Original

Health care experts thought the battle was won against heart disease, measles, smoking, STDs and other life-threatening conditions and behaviors. Better think again.