Health

Who can ask about your vaccine status? Here’s what you need to know about HIPAA

By Laura Santhanam

HIPAA, or the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, protects people’s private health information from being shared by certain health care entities without patient consent. But this 1996 law is far more narrowly defined than most people realize.

Federal judge leaves CDC evictions moratorium in place

By Mark Sherman, Associated Press

U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich says her “hands are tied” by an appellate ruling from the last time courts considered the evictions moratorium in the spring. Alabama landlords who are challenging the moratorium are likely to appeal her Friday ruling.

5 Stories: Why this Argentinian lagoon turned pink, a new Barbie honors COVID frontline workers and other stories you missed

By Deema Zein, Julia Griffin

An Argentinian lagoon turns an unnatural pink, a new Minnesota law provides alternative environments for incarcerated postpartum women and their babies and the Washington Football team bans Native American costumes and face paint from its stadium. Check out these stories…

Extra COVID vaccine authorized for those with weak immune systems

By Lauran Neergaard, Matthew Perrone, Associated Press

The decision does not apply to otherwise healthy individuals. Health authorities are closely monitoring if and when the general population will need a booster shot but say for now, the vaccines continue to be highly effective in most healthy people.

WATCH: CDC advisory committee discusses how to implement booster shots for immunocompromised

By Lauran Neergaard, Mike Stobbe, Associated Press

Americans at high risk from COVID-19 because of severely weakened immune systems are now allowed to get a third vaccination in hopes of better protection, a policy change endorsed Friday by influential government advisers.

Northwest heat wave spurs help for vulnerable residents

By Gillian Flaccus, Associated Press

Oregon volunteers are scrambling to hand out water to homeless people in Portland's isolated encampments as the Pacific Northwest sweats through a heat wave that is gripping the normally temperate region.

She started an underground clean needle exchange and changed lives

Syringe exchange and harm reduction programs don’t just hand out clean needles, they can provide a safe place for drug users to find care and a path to treatment, says Jamie Favaro of Next Harm Reduction. From handing out needles…

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WATCH: Florida governor announces launch of virus rapid response unit

By Associated Press

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Thursday that he is launching a rapid response unit to expand the use of monoclonal antibodies and relieve pressure at hospitals that continue to report a rise in COVID-19 patients.

States that had a grip on COVID now seeing cases surge

By Jennifer Sinco Kelleher, Sara Cline, Associated Press

The COVID-19 surge that is sending hospitalizations to all-time highs in parts of the South is also clobbering states that were once seen as pandemic success stories.

Days of hot weather grip Southern Europe, North Africa

By Frances D'Emilio, Associated Press

Throughout the Mediterranean region, days of hot weather already have driven people indoors at midday, spoiled crops and complicated the challenge of firefighters battling wildfires.