As physician practices reopen and hospitals around the country prepare for a second wave of COVID-19 infections coinciding with cold and flu season, the AHA and AMA have released a new resource to help them keep patients’ protected health information private and secure.
Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) News
Below are links to AHA Today stories on novel coronavirus (COVID-19). For all coronavirus resources and news updates, visit our COVID-19 page.
Latest
The AHA released a new public service announcement emphasizing the importance of wearing a mask to help Americans get back to doing the things they love.
The Department of Health and Human Services released initial data on how states and territories plan to use their share of 100 million rapid point-of-care tests for the COVID-19 virus, which the agency began distributing last month.
According to an analysis of COVID-19 hospitalization data from 13 states, released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 6% of adults hospitalized with COVID-19 between March 1 and May 31 were health care personnel.
The Food and Drug Administration approved Veklury (remdesivir) to treat COVID-19 patients age 12 and older who are hospitalized and weigh at least 40 kilograms (about 88 pounds).
To continue amplifying the important message of protecting against both the flu and COVID-19, AHA’s United Against the Flu campaign released new resources, including new sample social media messages, graphics and videos that hospitals and health systems can use to reiterate the importance of getting a flu shot.
A COVID-19 vaccine is likely coming soon. Whether it’s next month, at the end of the year or in early 2021, many scientific experts believe we will have one or more safe and effective vaccines to combat the deadly virus.
Three leadership capabilities consistently rise to the top when Andy Shin, chief operating officer for the AHA’s Center for Health Innovation, interviews hospital and health system leaders navigating the pandemic.
U.S. counties with more racial and ethnic minority residents, people living in crowded housing and other social vulnerabilities were more likely to become COVID-19 hotspots in June and July, according to a study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
State-licensed pharmacists and state-authorized pharmacy interns under their supervision may administer COVID-19 vaccines and tests authorized or licensed by the Food and Drug Administration, subject to certain requirements, the Department of Health and Human Services said in guidance.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated how it defines “close contact” exposure to an individual infected with the COVID-19 virus to someone within 6 feet of the infected individual for 15 minutes or more cumulatively over a 24-hour period, rather than exposure within 6 feet for at least 15 minutes.
Moderna Inc., announced the completion of enrollment for its COVID-19 vaccine phase 3 trial.
Jim Skogsbergh, president and CEO of Advocate Aurora Health, joined AHA Board Chair Melinda Estes, M.D., today to discuss COVID-19’s impact on health trends and key strategies for reimagining and innovating care during and beyond the pandemic.
Leadership in
The National Security Agency released an advisory detailing 25 common vulnerabilities that Chinese state-sponsored cyber actors are actively exploiting to access computer networks for sensitive intellectual property and other information, and encouraged stakeholders to take appropriate action to protect their networks.
National Health Care Facilities and Engineering Week 2020, Oct. 25-31, will spotlight the heroes who keep the health care physical environment running safely and smoothly during the pandemic and beyond.
While work is underway on new payment and delivery models for rural hospitals, additional, targeted actions by Congress and the administration are needed to support these hospitals and their communities, writes Erika Rogan, AHA senior associate director of policy.
In this AHA podcast, Rita Carreon, deputy vice president for health, UnidosUS, and Elisa Arespacochaga, vice president of the AHA’s Physician Alliance, discuss how community-based organizations can help hospitals and health systems improve health status for Latinx communities during the 2020-2021 flu season and COVID-19 pandemic.
The AHA, American Medical Association, American Health Care Association and National Association for Home Care & Hospice urged leaders in the U.S. House and Senate to pass legislation that would extend into 2021 and through the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency the congressionally enacted moratorium on the 2% Medicare sequester cuts.
While work is underway on new payment and delivery models for rural hospitals, additional, targeted actions by Congress and the Trump administration are needed to support these hospitals and their communities, writes Erika Rogan, AHA senior associate director of policy. Rogan says listening to rural hospitals’ concerns and ideas is essential for shaping policies that are effective and meaningful.