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 July 6 to 9, 2021. This roundup includes the latest research news from journal studies and other trusted sources that is most likely to affect clinical practice.
CDC: Vaccinated Teachers, Students Can Skip Masks This Fall
FRIDAY, July 9, 2021 (HealthDay News) — When schools open their doors this fall, teachers and students who are vaccinated can enter without masks, according to new guidance issued Friday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Pfizer to Seek Approval for COVID-19 Booster Shot
FRIDAY, July 9, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Pfizer and its partner BioNTech announced Thursday they would seek approval for a booster COVID-19 shot and begin studies on a reformulated vaccine that targets the highly contagious Delta variant.
No Spectators to Be Allowed at Tokyo Olympic Games
FRIDAY, July 9, 2021 (HealthDay News) — No spectators will be allowed at the Olympic Games in Tokyo when they begin in two weeks, organizers announced Thursday.
COVID-19 Cases Surge in Los Angeles County as Delta Variant Spreads
FRIDAY, July 9, 2021 (HealthDay News) — There is “exponential growth” of COVID-19 cases in Los Angeles County as the Delta variant becomes the dominant strain, health officials there reported Thursday.
Surges in Hospital Caseload Tied to Higher COVID-19 Mortality
FRIDAY, July 9, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Hospitalized COVID-19 patients cared for in hospitals with the greatest surges in caseload have twofold greater mortality risk than patients in hospitals not experiencing surges, according to a study published online July 6 in the Annals of Internal Medicine.
Health Equity Not Adequately Addressed in COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution
FRIDAY, July 9, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Most state COVID-19 vaccination plans were created without advisement from a health equity committee, according to a research letter published online July 2 in JAMA Network Open.
Face Masks May Expose Children to Higher Carbon Dioxide Levels
FRIDAY, July 9, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Carbon dioxide levels among children wearing face masks may exceed healthy limits, according to a research letter published online June 30 in JAMA Pediatrics.
COVID-19 Death Toll Passes 4 Million Globally
THURSDAY, July 8, 2021 (HealthDay News) — The worldwide COVID-19 death toll topped 4 million on Thursday, with the highly contagious Delta variant spotted in more than 100 countries and the World Health Organization warning against nations relaxing restrictions too quickly.
Patient Engagement May Not Drive Return to In-Person Visits
WEDNESDAY, July 7, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Patient engagement strategies appear to yield few return visits upon reopening during COVID-19 for patients who cancelled in-person care during the earlier portion of the pandemic, according to a research letter published online June 30 in JAMA Network Open.
Delta Variant Now Behind More Than 50 Percent of U.S. COVID-19 Cases
WEDNESDAY, July 7, 2021 (HealthDay News) — The highly contagious Delta variant now accounts for more than half of all new coronavirus infections in the United States, new government data show.
Blood Shortages Causing Surgery Delays Across the United States
WEDNESDAY, July 7, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Demand for blood is up 10 percent in the United States, and some U.S hospitals are postponing surgeries due to shortages.
Glycemic Control Has Not Been Impacted by Pandemic
WEDNESDAY, July 7, 2021 (HealthDay News) — While diabetes-related outpatient visits and testing fell during the pandemic, there was no negative association with medication fills or glycemic control among U.S. adults with diabetes, according to a research letter published online July 6 in JAMA Internal Medicine.
Just 20 States Reached Biden’s July 4 Vaccination Goal
TUESDAY, July 6, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Only 20 states reached President Joe Biden’s goal to get at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine into the arms of 70 percent of American adults by the Fourth of July.
Britain to Fully Reopen Soon, Despite Rising COVID-19 Cases
TUESDAY, July 6, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Face mask and social-distancing laws will be lifted in Britain later this month and British citizens will have to “learn to live with the virus,” Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Monday.
Two-Dose Novavax Vaccine Protects Against SARS-CoV-2 Infection
TUESDAY, July 6, 2021 (HealthDay News) — A two-dose regimen of the NVX-CoV2373 (Novavax) recombinant nanoparticle vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 has efficacy of 89.7 percent in adults, according to a study published online June 30 in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Teens’ Perceived Availability of Pot, Alcohol, Vaping Devices Down During Pandemic
TUESDAY, July 6, 2021 (HealthDay News) — Teens’ perceived availability of marijuana, alcohol, and vaping devices declined at historic rates during the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study published in the September issue of Drug and Alcohol Dependence.
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