Both Paxlovid, molnupiravir lower COVID Omicron deaths, hospitalizations, studies conclude AsiaVision / iStock CIDRAP

Two new studies describe the benefits of the antiviral drugs nirmatrelvir-ritonavir (Paxlovid) and molnupiravir in reducing SARS-CoV-2 Omicron hospitalizations and death, with one finding that the former is more effective than the latter at lowering death rates.

COVID concerns tick up in new Gallup poll Three in 10 Americans believe the COVID-19 pandemic is worsening, while more than 1 in 4 worry about being infected, according to a new Gallup poll. The new poll, published Thursday, found that 30 … ooshin The Hill

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The new poll, published Thursday, found that 30 percent of respondents said the ongoing pandemic is worsening, while 41 percent think it’s getting better and 30 percent said it has stayed the same...

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Half a million children and families regain Medicaid coverage | CNN Politics Some 500,000 children and families have had their Medicaid coverage reinstated after many states improperly terminated their enrollment because of a systems issue, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services said Thursday. Tami Luhby CNN

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US makes 30 states pause Medicaid disenrollments after glitch The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) on Thursday said 30 states must pause disenrollments from their Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) programs and reinstate coverage for people who lost it due to a glitch uncovered in August. Reuters Reuters

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White House launches American Climate Corps The move comes as Democratic lawmakers and activists call on President Joe Biden to take bigger steps to fight climate change. NBC News

The White House on Wednesday announced the launch of the American Climate Corps, which the administration said will mobilize more than 20,000 Americans in the clean energy and climate resilience sectors.

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Does the risk of getting long Covid increase each time you get reinfected? "It's very clear in our data that reinfection contributes additional risk of long Covid," says epidemiologist Ziyad Al-Aly. Elizabeth Cooney STAT

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If you’ve had Covid previously and dodged a bullet and did not get long Covid the first time around and you’re getting another infection now, you’re pretty much trying your luck again. People need to understand that you can get long Covid the second time, even if you dodged the bullet the first time. You can get long Covid the third time."

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COVID-Related Hearing Loss: Key Information You Should Know

COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, has been known to cause a wide range of symptoms beyond respiratory issues. Recent reports have highlighted a lesser-known effect of the virus: hearing loss. While it is not yet definitively proven, there have been case reports and studies suggesting a link between COVID-19 and hearing problems

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New COVID vaccine campaign off to a bumpy start The launch of the newly approved COVID-19 vaccines, the first campaign since the federal pandemic emergency ended, is off to a bumpy start.  Reports are piling up of insured Americans being st… colinmeyn The Hill

Anyone with health insurance — either through private insurers or federal programs like Medicare and Medicaid — should be able to receive the new COVID vaccines for free. 

Bipartisan community health center bill set for Senate review

 Time is running short for Congress to extend funding for community health centers. The current pot of money expires Sept. 30 amid the broader government shutdown threat.

The Senate Health Committee is marking up bipartisan legislation on Thursday, but there are serious disagreements between the bill's authors and the panel's top Republican, Sen. Bill Cassidy (La.) — divisions that could derail the effort.

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