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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 Nov. 1 to 5, 2021. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal studies and other trusted sources that is most likely to affect clinical practice. <\/p>\n
Pfizer Says New COVID-19 Pill Cuts Severe Disease by 89 Percent<\/strong><\/p>\n FRIDAY, Nov. 5, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Pfizer Inc. announced Friday that its experimental COVID-19 pill slashed the risk of hospitalization and death by 89 percent in infected high-risk people.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n New U.S. COVID-19 Vaccinations Climb for the Longest Stretch in Months<\/strong><\/p>\n FRIDAY, Nov. 5, 2021 (HealthDay News) — The number of new COVID-19 vaccinations in the United States rose for eight straight days in late October, the longest period of increases since early August, government data show.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n Insulin Rx Fills Down During the Pandemic<\/strong><\/p>\n FRIDAY, Nov. 5, 2021 (HealthDay News) — There has been a considerable decrease in the average number of weekly insulin prescription fills during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a research letter published online Nov. 3 in JAMA Network Open<\/em>.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n Heart Attack + COVID-19 Significantly Ups In-Hospital Mortality<\/strong><\/p>\n FRIDAY, Nov. 5, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Among patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction, a concomitant diagnosis of COVID-19 is associated with significantly higher rates of in-hospital mortality, according to a study published online Oct. 29 in the Journal of the American Medical Association<\/em>.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n More Than 28 Million Excess Years of Life Lost in 2020<\/strong><\/p>\n FRIDAY, Nov. 5, 2021 (HealthDay News) — In 31 countries, there were more than 28 million excess years of life lost in 2020, according to a study published online Nov. 3 in The BMJ<\/em>.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n Third BNT162b2 Vaccine Dose May Cut Severe COVID-19 Outcomes<\/strong><\/p>\n FRIDAY, Nov. 5, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Receipt of a third dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine appears to be effective for reducing severe COVID-19 outcomes compared with receipt of two doses at least five months ago, according to a study published online Oct. 29 in The Lancet<\/em>.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n More Teen Screen Time During Pandemic Tied to Worse Mental Health, Stress<\/strong><\/p>\n FRIDAY, Nov. 5, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Early in the pandemic, adolescents reported spending nearly eight hours a day on screens, according to a research letter published online Nov. 1 in JAMA Pediatrics<\/em>.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n White House Sets Jan. 4 Deadline for Large, Private U.S. Companies to Mandate Vaccines<\/strong><\/p>\n THURSDAY, Nov. 4, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Large U.S. companies have until Jan. 4, 2022, to ensure their employees are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the Biden administration said Thursday.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n COVID-19 Widespread Among Iowa Deer<\/strong><\/p>\n THURSDAY, Nov. 4, 2021 (HealthDay News) — The discovery that up to 80 percent of white-tailed deer in Iowa may be infected with COVID-19 has scientists worried that the animals could become a reservoir for variants that could come back to haunt humans.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n mRNA COVID-19 Efficacy Lower for Immunocompromised Adults<\/strong><\/p>\n THURSDAY, Nov. 4, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Vaccine effectiveness of two doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine against COVID-19-associated hospitalization is lower among immunocompromised adults, according to research published in the Nov. 2 early-release issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report<\/em>.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n Allergy History May Up Risk for Reactions to mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine<\/strong><\/p>\n THURSDAY, Nov. 4, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Self-reported history of high-risk allergy is associated with an increased risk for self-reported allergic reactions within three days of mRNA COVID-19 vaccination among health care workers, according to a study published online Oct. 26 in JAMA Network Open<\/em>.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n Liver Transplants for Alcoholic Hepatitis Up During COVID-19 Pandemic<\/strong><\/p>\n WEDNESDAY, Nov. 3, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Waiting-list registrations and liver transplants for alcoholic hepatitis have increased, exceeding the forecasted volumes, in association with increasing retail alcohol sales during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study published online Oct. 26 in JAMA Network Open<\/em>.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n Psychologists Find Demand for Mental Health Services Still Rising<\/strong><\/p>\n WEDNESDAY, Nov. 3, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Psychologists are reporting a large increase in demand for treatment of anxiety and depression in 2021, according to a survey released by the American Psychological Association.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n CDC Panel Signs Off on Pfizer Vaccine for Younger Children<\/strong><\/p>\n TUESDAY, Nov. 2, 2021 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention vaccine advisory panel voted unanimously on Tuesday to recommend emergency use of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine in children ages 5 to 11 years.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n ‘Delta Plus’ Variant Surfaces in Eight U.S. States<\/strong><\/p>\n TUESDAY, Nov. 2, 2021 (HealthDay News) — U.S. health officials say they are keeping close watch on a “delta plus” variant that has been detected in at least eight states.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n EHR Data Support Reported Effectiveness of Ad26.COV2.S Vaccine<\/strong><\/p>\n TUESDAY, Nov. 2, 2021 (HealthDay News) \u00e2\u0080\u0093 The effectiveness of the Johnson & Johnson Ad26.COV2.S vaccine is 73.6 percent for preventing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, according to a study published online Nov. 2 in JAMA Network Open<\/em>.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n Postacute COVID-19 Syndrome May Affect Physical, Cognitive Function<\/strong><\/p>\n TUESDAY, Nov. 2, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Persistent symptoms associated with postacute COVID-19 syndrome may impact physical and cognitive function as well as quality of life, according to a study published online Oct. 20 in the American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation<\/em>.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n ACS: Bicycle-Related Injuries, Gunshot Wounds Up During Pandemic<\/strong><\/p>\n TUESDAY, Nov. 2, 2021 (HealthDay News) — During the course of the pandemic, the number of trauma cases involving bicycle-related injuries and gunshot wounds has risen substantially, according to a study presented at the annual meeting of the American College of Surgeons, held virtually from Oct. 23 to 27.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n FDA Delays Decision on Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine for Younger Teens<\/strong><\/p>\n MONDAY, Nov. 1, 2021 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has delayed a decision on whether to approve emergency use of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine in 12- to 17-year-olds until at least January, the company announced Sunday.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n Vaccinations for Children Will Be in Full Swing by Nov. 8, White House Says<\/strong><\/p>\n MONDAY, Nov. 1, 2021 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. government’s COVID-19 vaccination program for children ages 5 to 11 years will be ready to roll on Nov. 8, the White House said Monday.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n COVID-19 Death Toll Tops 5 Million Worldwide<\/strong><\/p>\n MONDAY, Nov. 1, 2021 (HealthDay News) — The worldwide death toll from COVID-19 surpassed 5 million on Monday, and the more than 740,000 lives lost in the United States is the most of any nation, Johns Hopkins University data show.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n COVID-19 Vaccine-Induced Immunity More Protective Than Infection<\/strong><\/p>\n MONDAY, Nov. 1, 2021 (HealthDay News) \u00e2\u0080\u0093 The odds of COVID-19 hospitalization are increased more than fivefold for unvaccinated patients with a previous severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection than among individuals who are fully vaccinated with an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine, according to research published in the Oct. 29 early-release issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report<\/em>.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n Fully Vaccinated With Breakthrough Infection Can Transmit COVID-19<\/strong><\/p>\n MONDAY, Nov. 1, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Fully vaccinated individuals with breakthrough COVID-19 infection have a viral load similar to unvaccinated cases and can transmit infection in a household setting, according to a study published online Oct. 28 in The Lancet Infectious Diseases<\/em>.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n Cerebral Venous Sinus Thrombosis Rate Up After Ad26.COV2.S Shot<\/strong><\/p>\n MONDAY, Nov. 1, 2021 (HealthDay News) — The cerebral venous sinus thrombosis rate is increased after Ad26.COV2.S vaccination compared with the prepandemic rate, according to a research letter published online Nov. 1 in JAMA Internal Medicine<\/em>.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n Pediatric Critical Care Professionals Experiencing Moral Distress<\/strong><\/p>\n MONDAY, Nov. 1, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Pediatric critical care professionals are experiencing moral distress during the COVID-19 pandemic, but they have also shown attributes of moral resilience, according to a study published online Nov. 1 in the American Journal of Critical Care<\/em>.<\/p>\n