Six states join coronavirus test-purchasing compact; VA tries statewide COVID app
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 06, 2020
The governors of six states, including Republicans and Democrats, have formed an interstate compact to negotiate the purchase of 3 million COVID-19 antigen tests.
Test supplies sent to eldercare facilities by feds will last only a couple rounds
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 05, 2020
Nursing home operators will receive an initial allotment of COVID-19 test kits along with promised diagnostic equipment. They will then be responsible for procuring additional tests directly from manufacturers...
Clinical Briefs for Tuesday, August 4
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 04, 2020
Emergency treatment with RLF-100 may help critically ill COVID-19 patients … Baby boomers scoring lower on cognitive tests than previous generation … COVID-19 vaccine is on the way; U.S. cases more...
Pharmacists push to bill Medicare directly, expand testing, vaccination role
By
Alicia Lasek
Aug 03, 2020
Pharmacists are advocating to insert a policy in the upcoming coronavirus relief bill that would give them Medicare Part B provider status for conducting COVID-19 testing and vaccinations.
Isolate for 10 days after positive COVID-19 test, health officials now say
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 23, 2020
A new symptom-based strategy aims to end “unnecessary prolonged isolation” for people diagnosed with COVID-19 — and to help relieve pressure on overburdened diagnostic labs, says the CDC.
Blood type doesn’t affect COVID-19 severity, but it may impact diagnostic test results
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 22, 2020
Patients with types B or AB blood were more likely to test positive for COVID-19, whereas those with type O were least likely to test positive, a new study has found.
Nursing facilities in ‘hot spots’ to receive first batch of COVID-19 test equipment
By
Alicia Lasek
Jul 16, 2020
About 2,000 nursing homes in regions where COVID-19 case counts are high will be the first to receive on-site diagnostic testing equipment from the federal government.
Campaign urges Congress to end ‘national nightmare’ of COVID-19 and protect older adults, caregivers
By
Kimberly Bonvissuto
Jun 18, 2020
The Act for Older Adults campaign calls for a comprehensive relief package, including ‘hero’ pay and paid sick leave for care providers, and a $100 billion emergency fund.
CDC revises COVID-19 testing guidelines for nursing homes
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 16, 2020
The agency has updated and consolidated the guidelines, including a recommendation that individuals not be tested more than once in 24 hours.
Quit treating pandemic’s toll on nursing homes like a ‘bad apples’ problem, expert...
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 14, 2020
It’s time for the federal government to “own” the problem of containing COVID-19 by paying for and arranging testing across nursing facilities, long-term care policy expert David Grabowski...