Almost $500B stimulus approved by Senate, moves to House
The U.S. Senate approved the $484 billion stimulus package as the nation’s death toll surpassed 45,000. The relief bill is now in the hands of the U.S. House of Representatives, which is scheduled to have a vote on Thursday. President Donald Trump has signaled that he will sign it. Most of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) would direct more than $320 billion to small businesses with $60 billion being set aside for community-based lenders, smaller banks and credit unions to assist businesses that don’t have established relationships with banks. Read more.
First coronavirus death in U.S. was weeks earlier than thought
Public health officials are trying to retrace the path of the coronavirus across America and a medical examiner in Santa Clara, CA, has revealed that two people who died in their homes in early February were infected with the coronavirus. That was weeks before the first officially recorded U.S. death in Seattle, WA. Neither victims had a travel history, indicating the virus was already spreading at the time. Read more.
Germany, U.K. approve human trials for vaccine
Germany the United Kingdom are forging ahead with plans for clinical trials using human volunteers for a vaccine to fight COVID-19. The Paul Ehrlich Institute (Germany) green-lighted the trials for a vaccine developed by German firm BioNTech and U.S. firm Pfizer. Tests of the vaccine candidate, named BNT162, also are planned in the U.S. once regulatory approval for testing on humans are secured in the U.S. The trials will include 200 healthy volunteers aged between 18 and 55 years old. A second phase could include volunteers from high-risk groups. Meanwhile in the U.K., scientists will soon start recruiting volunteers for clinical trials on a second vaccine that are set to start in June with Imperial College London. Read more.
Malaria drug hydroxychloroquine shows no benefit in VA study
The malaria drug hydroxychloroquine has showed no benefit in a large study of its use at VA hospitals. The drug has been touted in the past as a potential treatment for coronavirus. The research was published in the medRxiv online depository and evaluated data from 368 COVID-19 patients. The FDA has authorized emergency use of this drug when clinical trials were unavailable or infeasible. It was being used alone or in combination with azithromycin in COVID-19 therapy based on anecdotal and limited observational evidence. Read more.
CDC director warns coronavirus could “be even more difficult” next winter, urges early flu shots
CDC Director Robert Redfield said Tuesday that a coronavirus outbreak next winter could “be even more difficult” than what the U.S. is currently facing because it could coincide with flu season. If America had to face two respiratory outbreaks at the same time, it would put even more stress on the healthcare system. He urged health officials to convince Americans to get their flu shot as early as possible. Read more.