House gives final passage to $2 trillion coronavirus economic relief bill
The U.S. House of Representatives passed the $2 trillion coronavirus economic stimulus bill, and President Donald Trump is expected to sign it quickly. It was passed by the Senate on Wednesday unanimously. It provides relief for workers and businesses that have been hurt by the coronavirus outbreak. The vote on the largest economic relief package in modern U.S. history came after Democratic and Republican leaders summoned House members to Washington because they feared the package wouldn’t be able to pass by voice vote. Read more.
U.S. government backs out of GM, Ventec Life ventilators deal
Government and White House officials said FEMA needed more time to assess whether the estimated cost – more than $1 billion, with hundreds of millions of dollars paid upfront to GM to retool a car parts plant in Kokomo, IN – was prohibitive. Ventilators would be made at the car parts plant with Ventec’s technology. Government officials said the deal might happen, but they are examining other proposals. They also argued that an initial joint venture deal that promised 20,000 ventilators had shrunk to 7,500. FEMA and the U.S. military are working through other competing offers. However, both GM and Ventec said the joint venture, known as Project V, is moving forward. Read more.
UPDATE: President Donald Trump has announced plans to invoke the Defense Production Act to force American automakers GM and Ford to produce ventilators. President Trump expressed frustration at GM’s revised plan of providing fewer ventilators than originally planned. Read more.
NY approves ventilator splitting, allows hospitals to treat two patients with one machine
New York hospitals can now attempt to treat two coronavirus patients with a single ventilator. New York-Presbyterian Hospital has developed a split-ventilation protocol that has been shared with the New York State Department of Health, which quickly approved the practice. The practice is controversial and it drew immediate criticism from a joint statement by several medical associations advising clinicians that sharing mechanical ventilators should not be attempted. “Non-COVID patients are normally on ventilators for three to four days,” said New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo. “COVID patients are on ventilators for 11 to 21 days. You don’t have the same turnaround.” Read more.
FDA lifts requirements for masks, respirators
In a 10-page guidance explaining its enforcement policy for masks and respirators used during the COVID-19 emergency, the FDA explains what regulatory requirements it is lifting for different types of masks and expectations for emergency use authorizations (EUAs). FDA says that face masks and respirators intended for general or industrial use and not intended for medical purposes are not considered medical devices and thus not subject to requirements under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. For face masks intended for a medical purpose that are not intended to provide liquid barrier protection, the FDA says it is lifting major regulatory requirements to increase availability of the devices, including 510(k) submission, quality system regulation (QSR), registration and listing, and unique device identifier (UDI) requirements, so long as the devices do not create an undue risk for users. Read more.
FDA authorizes CPAP machines, more as emergency ventilator alternatives
The FDA issued a wide-ranging emergency use authorization (EUA) allowing alternative devices to be used as ventilators. This includes modified anesthesia gas hardware and positive-pressure breathing devices as well as home continuous positive airway pressure machines used to treat sleep apnea. The FDA also told healthcare providers that certain ventilators could support multiple patients at once using air tube splitters. Read more.
Justice Department going after hoarders, price gougers
An order from HHS designates 15 types of materials, including masks and other protective gear, as “scarce or threatened,” which lets it report bad actors suspected of driving up prices or limiting their availability. The U.S. Justice Department is enforcing the order and the private sector is reporting to government officials on pricing changes for medical supplies. A national task force will investigate market manipulation relating to COVID-19. Read more.
Nearly 1.5M N95 respirator masks haven’t been shipped due to expiration date
Close to 1.5 million N95 respirator masks haven’t been shipped due to being past their expiration date. The masks are part of Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) emergency stock. Manufacturers have said the masks stay effective if stored properly and the largest problem with older masks is that the elastic bands can weaken, which prevents a proper seal from being created against a user’s face. However, the CDC has released guidelines outlining how to safely use expired N95 masks. Health officials in California and New York, the hardest hit areas of the country, have stressed that their supplies of N95 masks have been exhausted. Read more.
New Orleans becomes latest coronavirus epicenter in U.S.
New Orleans, LA, is the latest coronavirus epicenter in the U.S. The Louisiana Health Department of Health reported more than 2,300 COVID-19 cases. With 83 people dying statewide, it puts Louisiana’s death toll among the highest in the country. Those with obesity, high blood pressure and type 2 diabetes pose a higher risk to contract the virus and Louisiana consistently ranks near the bottom on state-by-state studies of those chronic diseases. Also, February’s month-long Carnival celebration likely brought the coronavirus to the region. Read more.
Over 150 hospital workers in Boston test positive for coronavirus
More than 150 hospital workers at four separate facilities in Boston, MA, have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. The following facilities reported these numbers on Thursday:
- Tufts Medical Center: 52 employees
- Brigham and Women’s Hospital: 45 employees
- Massachusetts General Hospital: 41 employees
- Boston Medical Center: 15 employees
“Employees who have tested positive are not working until after they have been cleared by occupational health services,” Serena Brona, Brigham and Women’s Hospital spokesperson, told CNN. Dr. Daniela Lamas, a hospital physician, told CNN that her facility’s workforce is still good, even as sick staffers stay home. But also said Boston hasn’t seen the patient surges yet like those in New York City. Read more.
American Airlines flight attendant dies of coronavirus; airline makes changes
Paul Frishkorn, an American Airlines flight attendant, died this week from coronavirus. A statement from American Airlines read, “Earlier this week, we lost a respected, longtime member of the American Airlines family, who tested positive for COVID-19. Our hearts go out to Paul’s loved ones, many of whom work for American Airlines.” Frishkorn was 65 years old and had recently spent time in the American Airlines’ Philadelphia, PA, crew room “answering questions and assisting [its] members through this difficult time” before he fell sick. American Airlines has announced new safety measures beginning today and lasting through April 3 that will offer limited food and beverage options to further provide for social distancing. Longer flights will do away with snacks but serve drinks as usual. Passengers can also change their seating arrangements. Read more.
As coronavirus cases spike worldwide, China closes itself off
China is closing its border to most foreigners due to imported COVID-19 cases causing a second outbreak in the country of the novel coronavirus origin. It is temporarily suspending entry into China by foreign nationals holding visas or residence permits, as of March 28. Anyone wishing to enter will have to apply for a new visa at their local Chinese embassy or consulate. More than 500 imported cases of the novel coronavirus were recently confirmed in China. All international arrivals will be quarantined and tested for the virus at designated Chinese government facilities. Read more.