The effort, which would finance steps like vaccines, treatments and tests, comes as President Biden and other Democrats have warned the government is running out of money to counter the pandemic.
When the end of the COVID-19 pandemic comes, it could create major disruptions for a cumbersome U.S. health care system made more generous, flexible and up-to-date technologically through a raft of temporary emergency measures.
Brooke Beier, senior vice president of commercialization at the Purdue Research Foundation, said FDA approval of the therapy is one of the most meaningful approvals ever for a Purdue-related innovation.
Rural hospitals have long struggled to stay afloat. But now, the sector is facing a wave of closings under additional financial pressures, some caused by the pandemic that has strained resources.
In making their case, executives cited the “persistent and steady decline” of hospitalizations and death rates related to the coronavirus.
Hospitalizations have plummeted 90% since hitting a pandemic high of 3,519 on Jan. 13. COVID patients occupy only 2.9% of Indiana’s intensive care unit beds.
Scores of projects across the United States are being funded with federal coronavirus relief money despite having little to do with combating the pandemic, a review by The Associated Press has found.
One reason the variant has gained ground, scientists say, is that it’s about 30% more contagious than the original omicron.
With an urgent funding request stuck in Congress, a federal agency says it can no longer cover COVID test and treatment bills for uninsured people and will stop taking claims at midnight Tuesday.
The goal is to get patients started on either Pfizer’s Paxlovid tablets or Merck’s molnupiravir capsules within five days of symptoms appearing. But the tight deadline has highlighted several challenges.
Although some fully vaccinated and boosted people came down with mild infections during the omicron surge, the study showed that the vaccines—and especially the booster shot—protected most people from the virus’s worst effects.
It’s clear that in those who already have diabetes, COVID-19 can worsen the condition and lead to severe complications. But there are other possible links.
The decision from the FDA could come relatively quickly, especially if officials conclude the data is straightforward and does not have to be reviewed by a panel of outside vaccine experts.
The mask mandate was scheduled to expire March 18, but the Transportation Security Administration said Thursday that it will extend the requirement through April 18.
The Indianapolis-based health insurer said the name change will better reflect its mission of “elevating whole health and advancing health beyond healthcare.”
Despite the decline in hospitalizations and cases, the virus is still claiming lives. Another 77 COVID deaths were reported on Wednesday, raising the pandemic total to 22,215 in Indiana.
A leading critic of IU Health said the huge contribution appears to be a way to make the hospital system’s profits drop below $1 billion last year as it faces higher scrutiny from the Indiana General Assembly and other groups for its high fees and large profits.
The milestone is the latest tragic reminder of the unrelenting nature of the pandemic even as people are shedding masks, travel is resuming and businesses are reopening around the globe.
As demand for COVID-19 vaccines collapses in many areas of the United States, states are scrambling to use stockpiles of doses before they expire and have to be added to the millions that have already gone to waste.
The Biden administration is seeking more funds to help protect Ukraine against the Russian invasion and to cover coronavirus pandemic-related expenses, two major additions to budget talks already underway.
