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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 April 4 to 8, 2022. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal studies and other trusted sources that is most likely to affect clinical practice. <\/p>\n
Vaccination Mandate for Federal Workers Reinstated by Appeals Court<\/strong><\/p>\n FRIDAY, April 8, 2022 (HealthDay News) — A rule requiring U.S. federal government employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 has been reinstated by a federal appeals court.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n Incidence of Herpes Zoster Up for \u00e2\u0089\u00a550s With COVID-19 Diagnosis<\/strong><\/p>\n FRIDAY, April 8, 2022 (HealthDay News) — For adults aged 50 years or older, those with a COVID-19 diagnosis have an increased risk for developing herpes zoster, according to a study published online March 9 in Open Forum Infectious Diseases<\/em>.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n Fourth Dose of BNT162b2 Offers Protection Against Severe COVID-19<\/strong><\/p>\n FRIDAY, April 8, 2022 (HealthDay News) — The rates of confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection and severe COVID-19 were lower after receipt of a fourth dose of BNT162b2 vaccine, according to a study published online April 5 in the New England Journal of Medicine<\/em>.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n COVID-19 Linked to Increased Risk for DVT, PE, Bleeding<\/strong><\/p>\n FRIDAY, April 8, 2022 (HealthDay News) — COVID-19 is associated with an increased risk for deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and bleeding, according to a study published online April 6 in The BMJ<\/em>.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n FDA Advisers Weigh COVID-19 Booster Shots for Fall<\/strong><\/p>\n THURSDAY, April 7, 2022 (HealthDay News) — Outlining a daunting timeline for development of any updated COVID-19 vaccine for next fall, federal health officials told an expert advisory panel on Wednesday that clinical trials of potential candidates would have to begin by next month, and a final formula chosen by June, to meet that tight deadline.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n Hundreds of Overseas Flights Canceled After Mask Rules Dropped<\/strong><\/p>\n THURSDAY, April 7, 2022 (HealthDay News) — Just weeks after dropping masking rules, some overseas airlines have canceled hundreds of flights as they struggle with staffing shortages related to COVID-19. This comes as the leading U.S. airlines have urged the Biden administration to scrap a mask mandate for passengers.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n Cardiac Complications Up After SARS-CoV-2 Infection Versus Vaccines<\/strong><\/p>\n WEDNESDAY, April 6, 2022 (HealthDay News) — For males and females in all age groups, the risks for cardiac complications are higher after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection than after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, according to research published in the April 1 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 Most COVID-19 Patients Benefit at Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals<\/strong><\/p>\n WEDNESDAY, April 6, 2022 (HealthDay News) — For patients with COVID-19, care at a long-term acute care hospital seems beneficial, according to a study published in the January to March volume of JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies<\/em>.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n Vaccination Offers Extra Protection After SARS-CoV-2 Infection<\/strong><\/p>\n WEDNESDAY, April 6, 2022 (HealthDay News) — Vaccination provides additional protection among those with immunity from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, according to two studies published online March 31 in The Lancet Infectious Diseases<\/em>.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n FDA Panel Meets to Craft Future Vaccine Strategy<\/strong><\/p>\n WEDNESDAY, April 6, 2022 (HealthDay News) — An advisory panel to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will meet Wednesday to discuss the best way forward with COVID-19 vaccines, as evidence grows that variants are eroding the power of the country’s current shots.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n Biden Makes National Push for ‘Long COVID’ Research<\/strong><\/p>\n WEDNESDAY, April 6, 2022 (HealthDay News) — President Joe Biden on Tuesday ordered a new national push to research the nature and impact of “long COVID,” a constellation of sometimes debilitating symptoms that linger long after infection in nearly one-third of Americans.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n U.S. Nursing Home Deaths Reach Lowest Levels Since Pandemic Began<\/strong><\/p>\n TUESDAY, April 5, 2022 (HealthDay News) — Fresh government data show that COVID-19 deaths among nursing home residents have fallen to the lowest levels seen since the pandemic began.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n Medicare Now Covers COVID-19 Tests Bought at Drug Stores<\/strong><\/p>\n TUESDAY, April 5, 2022 (HealthDay News) — Medicare announced Monday that seniors can now walk into most drug stores and get a free over-the-counter COVID-19 test.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n COVID-19 Vaccination Early in Pregnancy Not Linked to Fetal Anomalies<\/strong><\/p>\n TUESDAY, April 5, 2022 (HealthDay News) — COVID-19 vaccination within the teratogenic window (30 days before conception until 14 weeks of gestation) is not associated with increased odds of major fetal structural anomalies, according to a research letter published online April 4 in JAMA Pediatrics<\/em>.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n Early Ivermectin Does Not Reduce Hospital Admission in COVID-19<\/strong><\/p>\n MONDAY, April 4, 2022 (HealthDay News) — Early ivermectin treatment does not reduce the risk for hospital admission or prolonged emergency department observation visits for adults with symptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, according to a study published online March 30 in the New England Journal of Medicine<\/em>.<\/p>\n Read Full Text<\/a><\/p>\n BNT162b2 Prevents Critical COVID-19 in Children and Adolescents<\/strong><\/p>\n MONDAY, April 4, 2022 (HealthDay News) — For adolescents, vaccination provided protection against critical COVID-19 during omicron predominance, but provided lower protection against omicron-associated hospitalization, according to a study published online March 30 in the New England Journal of Medicine<\/em>.<\/p>\n