Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) News

The National Institutes of Health is offering several grants to increase research into the growing body of evidence suggesting that underserved and/or vulnerable populations are more susceptible to COVID-19 infection, severe complications and associated death, as well as to the pandemic's social, behavioral and economic impacts.

COVID-19 hospitalizations were six times higher and deaths 12 times more likely for patients with reported underlying health conditions compared with those with none, according to a new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study.

In a clinical trial of hospitalized patients in the United Kingdom, low-dose dexamethasone (a steroid) reduced deaths by one-third in ventilated patients and one-fifth in patients receiving oxygen only, the UK's National Institute for Health Research reported today.

A bipartisan group of 30 senators urged congressional leaders to make permanent provisions included in previous COVID-19 legislation to expand access to telehealth services for Medicare beneficiaries.

The Department of Health and Human Services updated its FAQs on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act emergency relief fund, with specific attention to provider reporting related to these funds.

The Federal Reserve Board announced it will seek public comments on a proposal to expand its Main Street Lending Program to provide access to credit for nonprofit organizations, including hospitals, a move advocated for by the AHA.

Nearly one in four workers, about 37.7 million, are at higher risk for serious illness if infected by COVID-19 due to age or underlying health conditions, according to a study released by the Kaiser Family Foundation.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has consolidated its recommendations for COVID-19 testing, which it will update as additional information becomes available.

The Food and Drug Administration last week issued an emergency use authorization for Cue Health Inc.’s new SARS-CoV-2 nasal swab test in patient care settings.

The Food and Drug Administration said it no longer authorizes the use of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine as an effective treatment of COVID-19.

In a letter to the editor, AHA President and CEO Rick Pollack notes, “Even before the Covid-19 pandemic, the financial state of many hospitals was very fragile, with one of every four hospitals in America operating in the red.

AHA identified legislative and regulatory actions needed to maintain or extend telehealth flexibilities implemented during the COVID-19 public health emergency.

The Department of Health and Human Services announced that it is planning an additional distribution of funds to hospitals that have been particularly affected by the increased burden of caring for those with COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released guidance on using telehealth to expand access to health care services during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond.

The Small Business Administration released an interim final rule implementing the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act, AHA-supported legislation enacted last week.

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted life in ways we never expected. For patients across the country, the cancellation or postponement of non-emergent surgeries, clinic visits and procedures delayed important medical care and financially devastated many hospitals and health systems, even threatening the ability of many to keep their doors open.

Loyola Medicine has maintained a strong partnership with its neighboring communities in Chicago’s near western suburbs. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, this health system-community partnership helped residents in these economically-challenged communities in many ways, including providing nutritious food on a more regular basis.

The National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities is accepting applications through Dec. 15 for funding to expand and improve digital health interventions to identify, treat and provide services for health conditions secondary to the COVID-19 pandemic in health disparity populations and those with medical or social vulnerabilities.

The Food and Drug Administration authorized the first COVID-19 diagnostic test with next generation sequencing, which can generate information about the genomic sequence of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.

While the COVID-19 pandemic placed a pause on routine medical visits and non-emergency procedures, people are still giving birth and in need of support from hospitals and health systems.