COVID-19 cases, deaths, hospitalizations continue to fall
Editor's Note The number of new COVID-19 cases in the US dropped 12%, deaths fell 18%, and hospitalizations declined 16% last week, the March 8 Reuters reports. At the same time, an average of 2.2 million COVID-19 vaccines were administered each day, up from 1.6 million the week before. Despite…
Effects of mask mandates, opening restaurants on COVID-19 cases, mortality
Editor's Note The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on March 5 released a study showing mask mandates were responsible for a decrease in COVID-19 case growth rates by 0.5% after 20 days and by 1.8% after 100 days. Mask mandates also were associated with a 0.7% decrease in…
CDC loosens restrictions for fully vaccinated people
Editor's Note The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on March 8 released interim recommendations saying that people who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 can safely gather with fully vaccinated people from other households without wearing masks or physical distancing. They also can visit indoors with unvaccinated people from…
Japan supercomputer shows double-masking benefits are limited
Editor's Note A study by the Riken research institute and Kobe University using Fugaku, the world’s fastest supercomputer, finds that wearing two masks offers little benefit in preventing the spread of COVID-19 compared to one well-fitted disposable mask, the March 4 Reuters reports. The researchers found that tightly-fitted surgical masks…
Frequency of urgent, emergent vitreoretinal surgical procedures during COVID-19
Editor's Note This multi-center study finds that critical vitreoretinal surgical procedures deemed as urgent or emergency decreased nationwide from March until May 2020, even though the American Academy of Ophthalmology said these procedures should continue during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected from 17 institutions throughout the US. Compared to…
Joint Commission extends reduced volume requirements for advanced stroke certification programs
Editor's Note The Joint Commission on March 3 announced that it is extending the reduced volume eligibility requirements for its advanced Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center (TSC) and Comprehensive Stroke Center (CSC) certification programs through May 31 because the number of patients seeking care for strokes continues to vary because of COVID-19.…
FDA calls on 25 firms to stop displaying misleading certificates
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced March 3 that it has asked 25 firms to stop producing and issuing misleading “FDA registration certificates” and FDA logos that create the impression the FDA has approved or authorized their products. The firms include mask, respirator, face shield, and other…
Study: Impact of COVID-19 on pediatric mental health
Editor's Note This study by FAIR Health on mental health claims for individuals aged 13 to 18 years in March and April 2020 finds: Mental health claims doubled, compared to the year before, while medical claims decreased by half, and this continued through November 2020. In the Northeast region, there…
FDA: Class I recall of Medtronic's HVAD Pump Implant Kits
Editor's Note The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on March 1 identified the recall by Medtronic of its HeartWare Ventricular Assist Device (HVAD) Pump Implant Kits as Class I, the most serious. The kit is part of the HeartWare HVAD System, which is used to help the heart pump blood…
Nurse staffing expert, Linda Aiken, PhD, testifies on her research at NYS hospitals
Editor's Note Nurse staffing expert Linda Aiken, PhD, RN, FAAN, testified at the New York State (NYS) Health Committee budget hearing on February 25 about her research on staffing levels in New York State. Among her research findings: Each patient reduction in nurses’ workloads was associated with a 13% decrease…
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