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 Dec. 20 to 23, 2021. This …
Percentage of Teens Reporting Drug Use Declined in 2021
Proportion of teens in grades 8, 10, and 12 reporting alcohol, marijuana use decreased significantly
Efficacy of Bamlanivimab for COVID-19 May Vary With Antibody Status
Further study needed to determine whether bamlanivimab could benefit patients who are negative for endogenous neutralizing antibodies
Holidays Complicate Diabetes Management, Patients Report
Half of U.S. adults with diabetes say managing diabetes is more difficult during the holidays versus other times of the year
Omicron Now Accounts for 73 Percent of New COVID-19 Cases
Rate suggests there were more than 650,000 omicron infections in the United States last week
U.S. Army Reports Progress on COVID-19 Vaccine That Fights All Variants
Animal studies have already shown new vaccine induces highly potent antibody responses against major variants
2019 to 2020 Saw 16.8 Percent Increase in U.S. Death Rate
Age-specific death rates increased for each age group 15 years and older; COVID-19 became third leading cause of death in 2020
FDA Approves Pfizer Pill as First At-Home COVID-19 Treatment
Recent trial showed Paxlovid cut the odds for hospitalization and death by nearly 90 percent in high-risk people
COVID-19 Certification Mandates May Increase Vaccine Uptake
Country-specific information, such as prior vaccination uptake, vaccine hesitancy may influence the effect of COVID-19 certification mandates
13 Million Adults Delaying or Skipping Meds Due to Costs
Drug unaffordability is an issue regardless of insurance status and across private, public payers