Health

Growing use of home COVID-19 tests leaves health agencies in the dark about unreported cases

By Kathleen McLaughlin, STAT

While home tests have distinct advantages, most who test positive don’t come to the attention of health officials unless they see a doctor.

U.S. expands Pfizer COVID boosters, allowing third dose to people as young as 16

By Lauran Neergaard, Mike Stobbe, Associated Press

The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday cleared an extra dose for those ages 16 and 17, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention rapidly endorsed a booster for those ages.

When Diego Rivera used his brush to honor groundbreaking healers

By Dr. Howard Markel

For Mexico's National Institute of Cardiology, the artist portrayed a pantheon of heart doctors.

Sen. Thune: Vaccine mandates will have 'countereffect,' must be overturned to save jobs

The U.S. Senate will vote Wednesday evening on repealing President Joe Biden's vaccine mandate for businesses with 100 or more employees. The measure is expected to pass with support from Democrats Joe Manchin and Jon Tester. But the bill faces…

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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.