Tampa college students invent device that doubles ventilator capability
Three University of South Florida students hope to get their life-saving invention into hospitals to help address the global ventilator shortage, a problem that came to light during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic last year.
Kaiser Permanente suspends 2,200 of its employees nationwide over vaccine mandate
Kaiser Permanente has placed more than 2,200 of its employees nationwide, who have refused to get vaccinated against COVID-19, on unpaid administrative leave.
CDC unveils new safety guidelines for holiday season
The CDC is suggesting that families hold virtual holiday celebrations, or, if celebrating indoors, using a window fan to keep the air at an indoor party as fresh as possible.
CDC removes holiday guidance suggesting ‘virtual’ celebrations from website
A CDC spokesperson on Tuesday said guidance that was posted on the agency’s website suggesting “that families hold virtual holiday celebrations,” was outdated and removed from the agency’s website.
Australia banning foreign tourists until at least 2022
Australia's prime minister says foreign tourists won’t be welcomed back until at least next year.
AstraZeneca asks FDA to authorize antibody treatment to prevent COVID-19
AstraZeneca said the treatment would be the first long-acting antibody combination to receive an emergency use authorization for COVID-19 prevention.
At-home COVID-19 test: FDA approves rapid, 30-minute antigen swab kit
The over-the-counter rapid COVID-19 test takes up to 30 minutes to show results.
US hospitals brace for next possible COVID-19 surge
The United States has reached its latest heartbreaking pandemic milestone, eclipsing 700,000 deaths from COVID-19 just as the surge from the delta variant is starting to slow down and give overwhelmed hospitals some relief.
Pentagon says all civilian workers must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19
New Defense Department guidance says all civilian workers must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 by Nov. 22.
Southwest Airlines requiring all employees to get COVID-19 vaccine
Southwest Airlines said its employees must get vaccinated for COVID-19 by Dec. 8, 2021.
Feds ramp up pressure on Florida to take COVID-19 school relief money
Florida is now the only state or U.S. territory that hasn’t submitted a plan for spending American Rescue Plan Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds. The plan was due in June.
Jason Aldean slams Gov. Gavin Newsom's vaccine mandate for kids to attend school
"So let me get this straight! It is no longer our decisions as parents (or free Americans) to make decisions about our kids, Gavin Newsom makes those decisions for us now??" Aldean wrote. "You gotta be kidding me! People in California should be outraged and people everywhere else better start standing up and speaking out NOW. This is not how America and being free works."
US COVID-19 deaths top 700,000 as delta variant fuels pandemic
Globally, nearly 4.8 million people have died of COVID-19, according to Johns Hopkins data.
People with disabilities face more barriers accessing COVID-19 vaccine, CDC data shows
Troubling new data from the CDC reveals people with disabilities are falling behind in the country’s COVID-19 vaccination effort, even though they are more likely to want a shot.
FDA to weigh Moderna, J&J COVID-19 booster shots in October meetings
An FDA committee will meet on Oct. 14 and 15 to determine if it will authorize booster shots from Moderna and Johnson & Johnson.
Health experts see increase in suicidal thoughts as people become more isolated during pandemic
The mental health community has seen an increase in suicidal thoughts in patients as people have become more isolated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Merck says experimental COVID-19 pill cuts hospitalizations, deaths by half
Merck & Co. said its experimental COVID-19 pill reduced hospitalizations and deaths by half in people recently infected.
School officials ask for federal help amid threats over COVID-19 policies
The nation's school boards are asking President Joe Biden for federal assistance to investigate and stop a growing number of threats made against their members.
HIPAA does not apply to revealing COVID-19 vaccine status at work, HHS says
The HHS and OCR released guidance on Thursday which further clarified and confirmed that the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) Privacy Rule does not apply to employers or employment records.
Health care workers once saluted as heroes now face threats
More than a year after U.S. health care workers on the front lines against COVID-19 were saluted as heroes with nightly clapping from windows and balconies, some are being issued panic buttons in case of assault and ditching their scrubs before going out in public for fear of harassment.