Dec 21 WHO concerned over increasing reports of severe COVID-19 cases in China By Associated Press It warned China's lagging vaccination rate could mean large numbers of vulnerable people are sickened by the omicron variant, the most infectious version yet seen of COVID-19. Continue reading
Dec 21 China narrows criteria for COVID-19 deaths included in official count By Huizhong Wu, Dake Kang, Associated Press A Chinese health official says the country only counts deaths from pneumonia or respiratory failure in its official COVID-19 death toll, a narrow definition that limits the numbers of deaths being reported as the virus surges following the easing of… Continue reading
Dec 20 Watch 7:55 LGBTQ community works to bring acceptance and joy amid increasing threats By Amna Nawaz, Dorothy Hastings It’s been a year of increasing anti-LGBTQ sentiment, threats and attacks on drag events and queer spaces. All of this while new data from the Trevor Project found more than 50% of transgender and non-binary youth in the U.S. seriously… Continue watching
Dec 20 Kansas Planned Parenthood takes step toward telemedicine abortions By John Hanna, Associated Press A Planned Parenthood affiliate says it has started teleconferences with off-site doctors for patients seeking medication abortions at one of its Kansas clinics. Continue reading
Dec 20 Some Chinese authorities encourage people with mild COVID to go back to work By Dake Kang, Ken Moritsugu, Associated Press Several local governments in China have encouraged people with mild cases of COVID-19 to go to work this week. Continue reading
Dec 19 China reports 2 COVID deaths in Beijing as virus cases surge By Associated Press Chinese health authorities have reported the nation's first COVID-19 deaths in more than two weeks. Continue reading
Dec 18 COVID-19 treatment Paxlovid has been free so far. Next year, sticker shock awaits By Hannah Recht, Kaiser Health News Nearly 6 million Americans have taken Paxlovid for free, courtesy of the federal government. But the government plans to stop footing the bill within months, and millions of people who are at the highest risk of severe illness and are… Continue reading
Dec 17 Watch 6:05 How racial biases in medical algorithms lead to inequities in care Hospitals across the country are using software powered by algorithms with racial biases, according to a new report from a coalition of healthcare providers. This can cause physicians to misdiagnose medical conditions or delay critical treatment. Dr. Jayne Morgan, a… Continue watching
Dec 17 As cases surge, COVID-linked deaths seen in Beijing after easing of virus rules By Dake Kang, Associated Press Deaths linked to the coronavirus are appearing in Beijing after weeks of China reporting no fatalities, even as the country is seeing a surge of cases. Continue reading
Dec 15 Watch 10:13 Winter surge in infections from RSV, flu, and COVID straining U.S. hospitals By William Brangham, Courtney Norris The White House is warning of a surge of illness this holiday season, as the country deals with the simultaneous uptick of three, highly contagious respiratory viruses. Hospitals across the country are filling up with patients suffering from flu, RSV… Continue watching