President Joe Biden signed into law Public Law No. 117-4 on 3/24/21. This Strengthens and Amplifies Vaccination Efforts to Locally Immunize All Veterans and Every Spouse Act or the SAVE LIVES Act. The bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish a COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) vaccine to covered individuals during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Under …
Findings of a study published in JAMA Network Open, suggest that there are distinct SARS-CoV-2 viral-specific antibody response profiles that vary based on age, with younger children exhibiting higher levels of IgG, total, and functional antibody activity than adolescents and young adults. These findings may partly explain the overall lower rate of symptoms and cases of severe disease in children …
In a study conducted in New York skilled nursing facilities over a two-week period, a three-component Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) assessment was performed virtually. The key components of the assessment were: Screening tool Telephone Infection Prevention and Control checklist COVID-19 video Infection Prevention and Control assessment (COVIDeo) Of the 92 SNFs competing the IPC screening tool and checklist, 52/92 …
For years, post-acute care providers have been required to document and report both pneumococcal and influenza vaccines administered within their centers. Now that the COVID-19 vaccine has been distributed and administered to the majority of post-acute care centers around the country, there is an outcry from several lawmakers in DC to require nursing homes to disclose coronavirus vaccination rates for …
In a recent article published in the British Journal of Opthalmology, research suggests an association between normal-tension glaucoma (NTG) and dementia. They cited a study that investigated whether cognitive impairment is more strongly associated with NTG than high tension glaucoma (HTG) using cognitive screening within an Australian Glaucoma Disease Registry. There were 290 participants in the study who completed cognitive …
The department of Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs conducted a full committee hearing on April 12, 2021. Member statements from Chairman Gary C. Peters, D (MI) and ranking member Rob Portman, R (OH) made statements. The hearings were conducted as a follow-up to the country’s response to the COVID-19 Pandemic to identify lessons learned so that in the event of …
Although global vaccination efforts against SARS-CoV-2 are underway, the public is urged to continue using face masks as a primary intervention to control transmission. Recently, US public health officials have also encouraged doubling masks as a strategy to counter elevated transmission associated with infectious SARS-CoV-2 variants. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention investigators reported that doubling masks increased effectiveness, but their …
The effectiveness and importance of contact precautions for endemic pathogens has long been debated, and their use has broad implications for infection control of other pathogens. Antibiotic-resistant pathogens are a serious public health concern, and the association between coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic and personal protective equipment supply availability has strained infection control programs across the country. Given the role of …
The percentage of adults who had symptoms of anxiety or a depressive disorder during the past 7 days and those with unmet mental health needs during the past 4 weeks increased significantly from August 2020 to February 2021, with the largest increases among those aged 18-29 years and those with less than high school education. During January 20, 2021-February 1 …
