First human trial starts in U.S.
The first human trial testing a potential vaccine to prevent COVID-19 began Monday. The NIH has been fast-tracking work with biotech company Moderna to develop a vaccine using the genetic sequence of the new coronavirus. The trial is taking place at the Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (Seattle, WA), where COVID-19 cases have surged. Phase 1 of the trial will test the vaccine on 45 males and non-pregnant females between the ages of 18 and 55. It will be led by Dr. Lisa Jackson, a senior investigator at Kaiser. Study participants will receive two doses of the vaccine via intramuscular injection in the upper arm approximately 28 days apart. A vaccine likely won’t be ready for public use for 12 to 18 months. Read more here.
AMA CPT adopts new CPT code for lab testing for novel coronavirus
The AMA Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) Editorial Panel last week adopted a new CPT code that describes laboratory testing for the novel coronavirus – SARS-CoV-2 – that causes COVID-19. The CPT code is now effective and can be used. “Moving as quickly as possible to put in place a CPT code for a novel coronavirus test will bolster a data-driven response to the COVID-19 disease outbreak in the United States,” said Dr. Patrice Harris, AMA president. The AMA continues to keep physicians informed of the CDC’s resources and updates, including on the AMA’s COVID-19 online resource center and through its physician’s guide to COVID-19. Read more here.
Public health officials say U.S. is at tipping point, face similar scenario to Italy
After U.S. coronavirus cases jumped by more than 3,000 cases over six days, at least a dozen city and state leaders have turned suggestions of keeping a social distance from each other into orders. Public health officials warn that if U.S. residents don’t take the call to action seriously, the country may be faced with a similar scenario to Italy. It went on complete lockdown last week and has been hit harder than any other country in Europe. “We have the same number of cases that Italy had two weeks ago,” said U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams. This week has brought a sharp increase in both U.S. cases and deaths. Read more here.
Trump seeks $850 billion package to counter economic fallout
The Trump administration is preparing to ask for about $850 billion in additional stimulus to support the economy. Steven Mnuchin, the Treasury secretary, is expected to make the pitch Tuesday to Republican senators. A centerpiece is the payroll tax cut that President Trump has been calling for. The administration is also supportive of a request for $50 billion in economic relief for the airline industry. More here.
Spanish deaths surge close to 500
The number of confirmed cases in Spain has soared by 2,000 to 11,178 as the country closed its borders and maintained a partial lockdown on 47 million people. Deaths in Spain from coronavirus have risen to 491. The EU is planning to ban all non-essential cross-border travel as France began its own strict lockdown. More here.
Coronavirus upsets the blood supply chain
Each day, the U.S. needs 36,000 units of red blood cells, 7,000 units of platelets, and 10,000 units of plasma. Blood is needed for victims who have injuries caused by accidents or natural disasters. But COVID-19 has restricted lifesaving blood as donations are down due to the anxiety, uncertainty and disruption it has caused in U.S. lives. States, including Washington, California, Kansas, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, Massachusetts and Rhode Island, are now calling for blood donations. But some states are closing schools and other sites that normally host mobile blood drives. Less than 10% of the U.S. population donates blood in a given year, although 38% are eligible to donate. Read more here from Anna Nagurney, a professor and director of the Virtual Center for Supernetworks at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst.
New York’s Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center has one-week supply of masks
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (New York, NY), one of the nation’s top cancer hospitals, has informed its staff it has a shortage of masks and other PPE as least five employees and three patients have been diagnosed with COVID-19. The shortage is due to production and distribution delays in China, according to Kreg Kolford, senior vice president of supply chain and sustaining care. Read more here.