Physician’s Briefing Weekly Coronavirus Roundup

Here is what the editors at Physician's Briefing chose as the most important COVID-19 developments for you and your practice for the week of April 4 to 8, 2022. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal studies and other trusted sources that is most likely to affect clinical practice.

Vaccination Mandate for Federal Workers Reinstated by Appeals Court

FRIDAY, April 8, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- A rule requiring U.S. federal government employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19 has been reinstated by a federal appeals court.

Read Full Text

Incidence of Herpes Zoster Up for ≥50s With COVID-19 Diagnosis

FRIDAY, April 8, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- For adults aged 50 years or older, those with a COVID-19 diagnosis have an increased risk for developing herpes zoster, according to a study published online March 9 in Open Forum Infectious Diseases.

Read Full Text

Fourth Dose of BNT162b2 Offers Protection Against Severe COVID-19

FRIDAY, April 8, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- The rates of confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection and severe COVID-19 were lower after receipt of a fourth dose of BNT162b2 vaccine, according to a study published online April 5 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Read Full Text

COVID-19 Linked to Increased Risk for DVT, PE, Bleeding

FRIDAY, April 8, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- COVID-19 is associated with an increased risk for deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and bleeding, according to a study published online April 6 in The BMJ.

Read Full Text

FDA Advisers Weigh COVID-19 Booster Shots for Fall

THURSDAY, April 7, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Outlining a daunting timeline for development of any updated COVID-19 vaccine for next fall, federal health officials told an expert advisory panel on Wednesday that clinical trials of potential candidates would have to begin by next month, and a final formula chosen by June, to meet that tight deadline.

Read Full Text

Hundreds of Overseas Flights Canceled After Mask Rules Dropped

THURSDAY, April 7, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Just weeks after dropping masking rules, some overseas airlines have canceled hundreds of flights as they struggle with staffing shortages related to COVID-19. This comes as the leading U.S. airlines have urged the Biden administration to scrap a mask mandate for passengers.

Read Full Text

Cardiac Complications Up After SARS-CoV-2 Infection Versus Vaccines

WEDNESDAY, April 6, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- For males and females in all age groups, the risks for cardiac complications are higher after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection than after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, according to research published in the April 1 early-release issue of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report.

Read Full Text

Most COVID-19 Patients Benefit at Long-Term Acute Care Hospitals

WEDNESDAY, April 6, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- For patients with COVID-19, care at a long-term acute care hospital seems beneficial, according to a study published in the January to March volume of JMIR Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies.

Read Full Text

Vaccination Offers Extra Protection After SARS-CoV-2 Infection

WEDNESDAY, April 6, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Vaccination provides additional protection among those with immunity from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, according to two studies published online March 31 in The Lancet Infectious Diseases.

Read Full Text

FDA Panel Meets to Craft Future Vaccine Strategy

WEDNESDAY, April 6, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- An advisory panel to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration will meet Wednesday to discuss the best way forward with COVID-19 vaccines, as evidence grows that variants are eroding the power of the country's current shots.

Read Full Text

Biden Makes National Push for 'Long COVID' Research

WEDNESDAY, April 6, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- President Joe Biden on Tuesday ordered a new national push to research the nature and impact of "long COVID," a constellation of sometimes debilitating symptoms that linger long after infection in nearly one-third of Americans.

Read Full Text

U.S. Nursing Home Deaths Reach Lowest Levels Since Pandemic Began

TUESDAY, April 5, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Fresh government data show that COVID-19 deaths among nursing home residents have fallen to the lowest levels seen since the pandemic began.

Read Full Text

Medicare Now Covers COVID-19 Tests Bought at Drug Stores

TUESDAY, April 5, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Medicare announced Monday that seniors can now walk into most drug stores and get a free over-the-counter COVID-19 test.

Read Full Text

COVID-19 Vaccination Early in Pregnancy Not Linked to Fetal Anomalies

TUESDAY, April 5, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- COVID-19 vaccination within the teratogenic window (30 days before conception until 14 weeks of gestation) is not associated with increased odds of major fetal structural anomalies, according to a research letter published online April 4 in JAMA Pediatrics.

Read Full Text

Early Ivermectin Does Not Reduce Hospital Admission in COVID-19

MONDAY, April 4, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- Early ivermectin treatment does not reduce the risk for hospital admission or prolonged emergency department observation visits for adults with symptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infection, according to a study published online March 30 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Read Full Text

BNT162b2 Prevents Critical COVID-19 in Children and Adolescents

MONDAY, April 4, 2022 (HealthDay News) -- For adolescents, vaccination provided protection against critical COVID-19 during omicron predominance, but provided lower protection against omicron-associated hospitalization, according to a study published online March 30 in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Read Full Text