July 17, 2020

More COVID-19 Patients in ICUs Are Surviving Now: Study

WEDNESDAY, July 15, 2020 -- Even as new coronavirus infections soar in the United States, a new study offers one piece of good news: Severely ill COVID-19 patients are significantly more likely to survive now compared to a few months ago.

In fact, deaths for COVID-19 patients in intensive care units have fallen by nearly a third in North America, Asia and Europe since the start of the pandemic, researchers report.

July 14, 2020

Despite Predictions, Loneliness Not Rising for Americans Under Lockdown

MONDAY, June 22, 2020 -- Since the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, experts have worried that social distancing and stay-at-home orders would lead to a surge in loneliness. But a new U.S. study suggests it has not played out that way.

In a national survey, researchers found that one month into state lockdowns, Americans were no more likely to feel isolated and lonely than they were pre-COVID-19. In fact, people often said they felt more connected to others.

June 30, 2020

Mask Up! Don't Let Down Your Guard Against COVID-19

TUESDAY, June 30, 2020 -- Even as the United States reopens, it's crucial that people wear face masks when they can't maintain proper social distancing, experts emphasize.

"While it's tempting to view [things] as being back to normal, that's simply not the case," said Dr. Patrick Gavigan, a pediatric infectious disease physician at Penn State Children's Hospital.

June 18, 2020

Masks and Summer Heat: Not a Great Mix, But Experts Have Tips

WEDNESDAY, June 17, 2020 -- Dr. Teresa Murray Amato rode the subway into Manhattan from Queens the other day and found that summertime and face masks aren't an easy fit.

"It was a warm day. I definitely felt it was a little hot," said Amato, director of emergency medicine at Long Island Jewish Forest Hills in Queens, N.Y.

June 15, 2020

More Evidence Do-It-Yourself COVID Tests Work Fine, Without the Discomfort

FRIDAY, June 12, 2020 -- Most Americans have winced watching one of those nurse-administered COVID-19 nasal swab tests, where the swab reaches painfully farther up the nose than anyone would want.

Well, the days of "nasopharyngeal" swab tests, administered only by health care workers, may be drawing to a close: New studies find a much more comfortable swab test, performed by patients themselves, works just as well.

June 15, 2020

Experts Optimistic in Search for COVID-19 Vaccine

MONDAY, June 8, 2020 -- Americans are ready to rip off their face masks and just have a nice dinner in a restaurant, but the best shot at returning to normalcy -- vaccines to prevent COVID-19 -- will be in clinical trials for months or longer.

The good news is that there are more than 100 vaccines of varying types and in various stages of development. As of this month, eight of these vaccine candidates were already in early human trials. One research team hopes to have a vaccine available in September. Another is hoping their vaccine will be available by the start of 2021.