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 Aug. 9 to 13, 2021. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal studies and other trusted sources that is most likely to affect clinical practice.
Wildfires May Amplify Effect of PMâ.â Exposure on COVID-19 Dynamics
FRIDAY, Aug. 13, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Wildfires seem to amplify the effect of short-term exposure to fine particulate matter on COVID-19 cases and deaths, according to a study published online Aug. 13 in Science Advances.
COVID-19 Outbreak Reported on Carnival Cruise Ship
FRIDAY, Aug. 13, 2021 (HealthDay News) — A COVID-19 outbreak on a Carnival Cruise Line ship that sailed from Galveston, Texas, to Belize is one of the largest reported on a vessel sailing from the United States since cruises relaunched this summer.
Largest U.S. Teachers’ Union Supports Mandatory COVID-19 Vaccination
FRIDAY, Aug. 13, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for teachers now has the support of the largest teachers’ union in the United States.
Third Dose of mRNA-1273 Boosts Immunity in Transplant Recipients
FRIDAY, Aug. 13, 2021 (HealthDay News) — For transplant recipients, a third dose of the mRNA COVID-19 vaccine mRNA-1273 yields substantially higher immunogenicity than placebo, according to a letter to the editor published online Aug. 11 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
FDA OKs Third COVID-19 Shot for Vulnerable Americans
FRIDAY, Aug. 13, 2021 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration on Thursday authorized a third “booster” shot of coronavirus vaccines for people with weakened immune systems, as the highly contagious delta variant continues to surge across the country.
Cannabidiol Relieves Burnout for Health Care Workers During Pandemic
FRIDAY, Aug. 13, 2021 (HealthDay News) — During the pandemic, cannabidiol (CBD) therapy reduced symptoms of burnout and emotional exhaustion among health care professionals working with COVID-19 patients, according to a study published online Aug. 13 in JAMA Network Open.
Uninsurance Rates Up for Low-Income Adults During Pandemic
FRIDAY, Aug. 13, 2021 (HealthDay News) — During the COVID-19 pandemic, uninsurance rates increased among low-income adults in four Southern states, with Medicaid expansion protecting against the increase among Black and Latinx individuals, according to a study published online Aug. 13 in JAMA Health Forum.
All HHS Health Care Workers Must Now Get COVID-19 Vaccines
THURSDAY, Aug. 12, 2021 (HealthDay News) — COVID-19 vaccination will be required for all U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) employees who deal with patients, HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra announced Thursday.
Moderna Vaccine May Shield More Against Breakthrough Infections Than Pfizer: Study
THURSDAY, Aug. 12, 2021 (HealthDay News) — People fully vaccinated with the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine appear to have a lower risk for a “breakthrough” infection caused by the delta variant than those who received the Pfizer vaccine, a new, preliminary report suggests.
COVID-19 Vaccines Now Mandatory for California Teachers, School Staff
THURSDAY, Aug. 12, 2021 (HealthDay News) — California on Wednesday became the first state to require teachers and other school staff to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination or else have to undergo weekly tests.
mRNA-1273 SARS-CoV-2 Vaccine Seems Safe for Adolescents
THURSDAY, Aug. 12, 2021 (HealthDay News) — The results of an interim analysis suggest that two doses of the Moderna mRNA-1273 vaccine safely induce protective levels of antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 among adolescents, according to a study published online Aug. 11 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Features of Vaccine-Induced Thrombotic Syndrome Studied
THURSDAY, Aug. 12, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Mortality seen in association with vaccine-induced immune thrombocytopenia and thrombosis after the first dose of the ChAdOx1 nCoV-19 vaccine (Oxford-AstraZeneca) is increased for those with cerebral venous sinus thrombosis and a low platelet count, according to a study published online Aug. 11 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
FDA to Approve COVID-19 Booster Shots for Vulnerable Americans
THURSDAY, Aug. 12, 2021 (HealthDay News) — The U.S. Food and Drug Administration plans on Thursday to authorize a third “booster” shot of coronavirus vaccine for people with weakened immune systems, as the highly contagious delta variant surges across the country.
COVID-19 Vaccine Safe, Recommended for Pregnant Women, CDC Says
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 11, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Pregnant women should not hesitate to get COVID-19 vaccines, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in updated guidance issued Wednesday. Previously, the country’s leading health agency had only said that pregnant women were “eligible” for the vaccine.
New, Tighter COVID-19 Rules Coming for Oregon
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 11, 2021 (HealthDay News) — A statewide indoor mask mandate and a vaccination requirement for state employees are expected to be announced Wednesday by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown as COVID-19 case numbers grow due to the highly transmissible delta variant. That would make Oregon the third state after Louisiana and Hawaii to implement a mask mandate for both vaccinated and unvaccinated people, The Washington Post reported.
U.S. Sees Big Spike in COVID-19 Vaccinations
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 11, 2021 (HealthDay News) — The average number of first COVID-19 vaccine doses a day in the United States jumped 95 percent in the past month, new federal government data show.
Experts Demand That Biden Do More to Distribute COVID-19 Vaccines Globally
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 11, 2021 (HealthDay News) — More than 175 public health experts, scientists, and activists on Tuesday called for President Joe Biden to do more to help fight the global spread of COVID-19, warning that newer, more dangerous variants are likely to emerge if nothing is done.
Targeted COVID-19 Vaccine Reminders Boost Uptake
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 11, 2021 (HealthDay News) — An individual email nudge can increase COVID-19 vaccination registration among health care workers, according to a research letter published online July 28 in JAMA Network Open.
Low Vitamin D Levels Tied to Higher Risk for COVID-19 Infection
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 11, 2021 (HealthDay News) — U.S. Black women with lower serum levels of vitamin D may be at increased risk for COVID-19 infection, according to a study published online July 27 in PLOS ONE.
Monthly COVID-19 Hospitalization Rates Peaked in December 2020
TUESDAY, Aug. 10, 2021 (HealthDay News) — For adults hospitalized with COVID-19, monthly rates of hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, and death peaked in December 2020, according to a study published online Aug. 10 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Lung Cancer Screening Rates Mainly Unchanged During Pandemic
TUESDAY, Aug. 10, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Lung cancer screening rates remained stable between 2019 and 2020 in the United States and increased in 19 states, according to a research letter published online July 19 in CHEST.
COVID-19 Vaccines Effectively Prevent Hospitalization for Seniors
TUESDAY, Aug. 10, 2021 (HealthDay News) — The Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Janssen COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective for preventing COVID-19-associated hospitalization among older adults in the United States, according to research published in the Aug. 6 early-release issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Increased Crowding Linked to COVID-19 Incidence in Prisons
TUESDAY, Aug. 10, 2021 (HealthDay News) — In 14 prisons in Massachusetts, increased crowding was associated with increased incidence rates of COVID-19, according to a study published online Aug. 9 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
U.S. Military Members Must Get COVID-19 Vaccine by Mid-September
TUESDAY, Aug. 10, 2021 (HealthDay News) — All members of the U.S. military must get a COVID-19 vaccine by mid-September, the Pentagon announced Monday.
SARS-CoV-2 Reinfection More Likely in Unvaccinated Individuals
MONDAY, Aug. 9, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Among Kentucky residents who were infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in 2020, those who were unvaccinated against COVID-19 had an increased likelihood of reinfection in May to June 2021 compared with those who were vaccinated, according to research published in the Aug. 6 early-release issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.
Decline in Mental Health Seen in College Students Returning to Campus
MONDAY, Aug. 9, 2021 (HealthDay News) — There are rising rates of anxiety, depression, burnout, and the use of unhealthy coping mechanisms among college students, according to surveys conducted by The Ohio State University.
European Union Passes U.S. in COVID-19 Vaccination Rates
MONDAY, Aug. 9, 2021 (HealthDay News) — After lagging behind for months, the European Union now has a higher COVID-19 vaccination rate than the United States.
All Amazon Workers Must Wear Masks
MONDAY, Aug. 9, 2021 (HealthDay News) — All Amazon warehouse workers must wear masks as of Aug. 9, whether or not they have been vaccinated against COVID-19, the company says. Previously, only unvaccinated employees had to wear masks.
Depression, Anxiety Up in Children, Teens Worldwide During Pandemic
MONDAY, Aug. 9, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Globally, the pooled prevalence estimates for clinically elevated depression and anxiety symptoms almost doubled among children and adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study published online Aug. 9 in JAMA Pediatrics.
CV Prognosis Good at Six Months After Hospitalization for MIS-C
MONDAY, Aug. 9, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Children with multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children treated with immunomodulators have favorable outcomes at six months, with normalization of left ventricular systolic function and resolution of coronary abnormalities, according to a study published online July 29 in Pediatrics.
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