Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) News

On this episode, you’ll hear from Kenneth Davis, M.D., president and CEO of Mount Sinai Health System in New York, a system that was on the front lines of the first wave of COVID-19. He is a neurobiologist and a pioneering researcher in the field of brain disease, notably Alzheimer’s disease.

U.S. health care providers may no longer order the monoclonal antibodies bamlanivimab and etesevimab until further notice due to rising prevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 P.1 and B.1.351 variants, which are not susceptible to the combination therapy, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response announced.

The Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Consortium has begun enrolling up to 1,000 pregnant and postpartum individuals who have or will receive COVID-19 vaccine in a study to assess vaccine safety, immune response and transfer of antibodies to their infants, the National Institutes of Health announced.

An estimated 16.8 million U.S. adults had undiagnosed COVID-19 by July 2020, representing 4.6% of U.S. adults and 4.8 undiagnosed infections for every diagnosed case, according to a National Institutes of Health study published by the journal Science Translational Medicine. NIH’s SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence Project used an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to identify SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in dried blood samples collected from a representative sample of U.S. adults.

AHA urged the Department of Health and Human Services to allow all health care providers to use their COVID-19 Provider Relief Fund payments until June 30, 2022, or the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, whichever is later.

The Department of Health and Human Services announced a $3 billion investment in antiviral treatments for COVID-19, particularly those administered orally. The money will go toward advancing the next stages of COVID-19 treatments, including their discovery, development and manufacturing.

The AHA joined the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and other national organizations in urging the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals to affirm a district court decision that found the Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness Act of 2005 provides broad immunity from tort liability to health care providers and other covered entities involved in the administration, manufacture, distribution, use or allocation of countermeasures during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

A National Institutes of Health-led review of more than 24,000 stored blood samples suggests that the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 was present in the U.S. as far back as December 2019.

The Food and Drug Administration authorized for emergency use one more batch of drug substance manufactured for the Janssen (Johnson & Johnson) COVID-19 vaccine at an Emergent BioSolutions facility in Baltimore.

Rhode Island health care providers may no longer order the monoclonal antibodies bamlanivimab and etesevimab until further notice due to rising prevalence of the SARS-CoV-2 P.1 and B.1.351 variants, which are not susceptible to the combination therapy, the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response announced.

As requested by the AHA, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said it will continue to remain flexible in its approach to surveys if a hospital experiences a COVID-19 surge.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a COVID-19 Viral Testing Tool to help health care providers and individuals understand their COVID-19 testing options and take appropriate next steps.

The Health Resources and Services Administration awarded 14 organizations grants to hire people to support COVID-19 vaccination and outreach in vulnerable and medically underserved communities.

Novavax announced phase 3 trial results for its COVID-19 vaccine, saying it provides 100% protection against moderate and severe disease, with a 90.4% overall efficacy.

The Health Resources and Services Administration awarded $100,000 each to more than 4,200 rural health clinics to maintain and increase COVID-19 testing; expand access to testing for rural residents; and broaden efforts to mitigate COVID-19’s spread in ways tailored to their local communities.

As urged by the AHA and other groups, the Department of Health and Human Services announced that it is extending the deadline by which hospitals and other providers that received Provider Relief Fund money after June 30, 2020, must use their COVID-19 PRF payments.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued an emergency temporary standard for occupational exposure to COVID-19 that requires certain health care employers to help protect their workers in settings where suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients are treated.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Grand Rapids, Mich-based Spectrum Health used the full scope of its resources to enable easy vaccine access, keep its communities informed, maintain and expand access in ZIP codes bearing the brunt of infections, and fuel innovation.

Medicare will pay about $75 per dose to administer COVID-19 vaccines in a Medicare beneficiary’s home, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services announced.

Compared with the pre-vaccination period of Nov. 29 to Dec. 12, 2020, COVID-19 incidence during April 18 to May 1, 2021, was 69% lower among adults overall, and 79%, 71% and 66% lower among persons aged 65 and over, 50-64 and 18-49, respectively, according to a report released by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.