Health

U.S. approves new COVID-19 antibody drug for high-risk patients

By Matthew Perrone, Associated Press

The drug could benefit cancer patients, organ transplant recipients and people with severe allergies to vaccinations.

Tensions rise among lawmakers, parents as Louisiana debates vaccine mandates in schools

By Roby Chavez

After seven and a half hours of testimony, a Louisiana House panel overwhelmingly rejects the contentious COVID vaccine proposal for Louisiana schools. The governor vows to move the proposal forward.

As U.S. reaches 200 million vaccine milestone, COVID cases continue to spike

By Sophia Tareen, Jennifer McDermott, Associated Press

The U.S. has reached a COVID-19 milestone of roughly 200 million fully vaccinated people, but cases and hospitalizations are still spiking, even in highly immunized pockets of the country like New England.

Some experts suggest omicron variant may have evolved in an animal host

By Helen Branswell, STAT

The theory goes that some type of animal, potentially rodents, was infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus sometime in mid-2020.

California plans to be abortion ‘sanctuary’ if Supreme Court overturns Roe

By Adam Beam, Associated Press

The California Future of Abortion Council, made up of more than 40 abortion providers and advocacy groups, released a list of 45 recommendations for the state to consider if the high court overturns Roe v. Wade — the 48-year-old decision…

Pfizer says COVID booster offers protection against omicron variant

By Lauran Neergaard, Associated Press

Pfizer and its partner BioNTech said lab tests showed a booster dose increased by 25-fold the level of so-called neutralizing antibodies against omicron.

As omicron spreads, experts speculate whether it will overtake delta

By Associated Press

As the omicron coronavirus variant spreads in southern Africa and pops up in countries all around the world, scientists are anxiously watching a battle play out that could determine the future of the pandemic. Can the latest competitor to the…

Judge blocks Biden’s vaccine mandate for federal contractors

By Geoff Mulvihill, David Lieb, Associated Press

A federal judge blocked the Biden administration's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for employees of federal contractors and subcontractors.

Hospitals refused to give patients Ivermectin. Lockdowns and political pressure followed

By Matt Volz, Kaiser Health News

Hospitals in Montana and Idaho reported threats and harassment from public officials and family members of patients who were denied treatment with a drug not authorized to treat COVID-19.

Some fear ripple effect on civil rights cases if Roe is overturned

By Lindsay Whitehurst, Associated Press

The Supreme Court’s conservative majority signaled in arguments last week they would allow states to ban abortion much earlier in pregnancy and may even overturn the nationwide right that has existed for nearly 50 years.