Here is what the editors at Physician’s Briefing chose as the most important COVID-19 developments for you and your practice for the week of May 10 to 14, 2021. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal studies and other trusted sources that is most likely to affect clinical practice.
Many Hispanic Americans Want to Get COVID-19 Vaccine, but Have Not
FRIDAY, May 14, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Some of the lowest U.S. COVID-19 vaccination rates are among Hispanics, but not because they do not want the vaccine, according to a new survey. Rather, the low vaccination rates are the result of misinformation about cost and access, worries about employment, and immigration issues, the latest edition of the Kaiser Family Foundation COVID-19 Vaccine Monitor finds.
New Heart Failure Diagnosed in Hospitalized COVID-19 Patients
FRIDAY, May 14, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Patients hospitalized with COVID-19 may be at risk for developing new heart failure, according to a research letter published in the May 4 issue of the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.
CDC: Fully Vaccinated Can Shed Masks in Most Outdoor, Indoor Settings
THURSDAY, May 13, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Fully vaccinated Americans can now skip face masks and social distancing in most indoor or outdoor settings, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Thursday.
CDC: COVID-19 Vaccine Can Be Given Along With Other Shots
THURSDAY, May 13, 2021 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday that COVID-19 vaccines can be given along with other childhood shots, CNN reported Wednesday.
AI System Can Predict Deterioration in COVID-19 Patients in ED
THURSDAY, May 13, 2021 (HealthDay News) — An artificial intelligence system can predict deterioration of COVID-19 patients in the emergency department, according to a study published online May 12 in npj Digital Medicine.
Pfizer Vaccine Given Final Approval for Use in Adolescents
THURSDAY, May 13, 2021 (HealthDay News) — In a decision that clears the way for schools to reopen safely next fall, U.S. health officials on Wednesday gave their final stamp of approval for the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine to be offered to children aged 12 to 15 years.
Neurological Manifestations Prevalent for Inpatients With COVID-19
THURSDAY, May 13, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Neurological manifestations are common among patients hospitalized with COVID-19 and are associated with an increased risk for in-hospital mortality, according to a study published online May 11 in JAMA Network Open.
Mental Health Poor for 11 Percent of U.K. Adults During COVID-19
WEDNESDAY, May 12, 2021 (HealthDay News) — About 11 percent of U.K. adults experienced deteriorating or consistently poor mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study published online May 6 in The Lancet Psychiatry.
Delayed Hypersensitivity Reaction to Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine ID’d
WEDNESDAY, May 12, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Localized injection-site reactions to the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine reported in 16 patients appear to be delayed hypersensitivity reactions, according to a study published online May 12 in JAMA Dermatology.
NSAID Use Not Linked to Increased Mortality, Severity in COVID-19
WEDNESDAY, May 12, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use is not associated with increased mortality or severity of COVID-19, according to a study published online May 7 in The Lancet Rheumatology.
Hand Dermatitis Currently Prevalent in Health Care Workers
WEDNESDAY, May 12, 2021 (HealthDay News) — More than 90 percent of health care workers and two-thirds of the general population currently have hand dermatitis, according to a study presented at the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology Spring Symposium, held virtually from May 6 to 7.
Uber Rides, Vouchers, Free Beers Offered as States Seek More Vaccine Takers
WEDNESDAY, May 12, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Uber and Lyft will start giving free rides to vaccination sites starting May 24, President Joe Biden announced Tuesday as his administration tries to address lingering COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Americans. The ride-sharing initiative will last until July 4, a date that Biden has set for getting shots into the arms of at least 70 percent of American adults, The New York Times reported.
Third-Trimester COVID-19 Vaccination May Protect Infants
WEDNESDAY, May 12, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Women receiving the COVID-19 vaccine in their third trimester of pregnancy generate a strong immune response and pass protective antibodies through umbilical cord blood to their babies, according to a research letter published online April 28 in Obstetrics & Gynecology.
ED Visits for Pediatric Mental Health Issues Up During COVID-19
TUESDAY, May 11, 2021 (HealthDay News) — The proportion of emergency department visits for pediatric mental health conditions increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a research letter published online April 30 in JAMA Network Open.
Medicare Making Nursing Homes Report COVID-19 Vaccination Rates
TUESDAY, May 11, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Medicare is requiring nursing homes to report rates of COVID-19 vaccinations for both patients and staff, the Associated Press reported Tuesday.
WHO Increases Warning About Indian COVID-19 Variant
TUESDAY, May 11, 2021 (HealthDay News) — On Monday, the World Health Organization called the B.1.617 variant of the COVID-19 virus, which has become more common in India, a “variant of concern,” The New York Times reported Tuesday.
FDA Approves Emergency Use of Pfizer Vaccine for Those Aged 12 to 15
TUESDAY, May 11, 2021 (HealthDay News) — In a move that should hasten the country’s recovery from the pandemic, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Monday approved the emergency use of the Pfizer two-dose COVID-19 vaccine for 12- to 15-year-olds.
Antibody Response Lags After Second Vaccine Dose in Transplant Recipients
TUESDAY, May 11, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Fifty-four percent of solid organ transplant recipients have an antibody response to two doses of an mRNA severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 vaccine, according to a research letter published online May 5 in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
Guidance Issued for Managing CVST After COVID-19 Vaccination
TUESDAY, May 11, 2021 (HealthDay News) — In a report from the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association Stroke Council Leadership, published online April 29 in Stroke, recommendations are presented for the management of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis with vaccine-induced immune thrombic thrombocytopenia after receipt of a COVID-19 vaccine containing adenoviral vectors.
In-Hospital Mortality Low for Pregnant Women With COVID-19
MONDAY, May 10, 2021 (HealthDay News) — The rate of in-hospital mortality is lower for pregnant versus nonpregnant women hospitalized with COVID-19 and viral pneumonia, according to a research letter published online May 11 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
CDC Revises Website Info on How COVID-19 Spreads
MONDAY, May 10, 2021 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday changed its website guidance on how COVID-19 spreads, emphasizing that it is mainly transmitted through the air, not on surfaces.
Impaired First-Phase Ejection Fraction Tied to COVID-19 Mortality
MONDAY, May 10, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Impaired first-phase ejection fraction, which is a measure of preclinical heart failure, is associated with mortality in patients hospitalized with COVID-19, according to a study published online May 10 in Hypertension.
Fauci Says Relaxed Indoor Masking Rules Could Be on the Way
MONDAY, May 10, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Anthony Fauci, M.D., on Sunday opened the door to the possibility of relaxing indoor masking rules as more Americans are vaccinated against COVID-19.
Internal Medicine Residency, Fellowship Applications Up During Pandemic
MONDAY, May 10, 2021 (HealthDay News) — The number of applicants and number of applications submitted per applicant to internal medicine residency and most subspecialty fellowships for 2021 were higher than in previous application cycles, according to a research letter published online April 28 in JAMA Network Open.
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