People can buy a blood test to check their levels of beta amyloid — a protein that’s known to contribute to Alzheimer’s disease. They can go directly to a Quest lab for bloodwork; the company’s...
Best bet against omicron? Prior infection or a booster shot, early research suggests
By
Alicia Lasek
Dec 09, 2021
A two-dose course of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine may not be enough to effectively combat the new omicron coronavirus variant, but a booster shot may do the trick, two early lab studies suggest....
Clinical briefs for Tuesday, Nov. 2
By
Alicia Lasek
Nov 02, 2021
Unvaccinated workers to pay for tests under federal vaccine mandate, report says … CNA Resource Center formed to address hardships faced by critical LTC workers … CDC: Coronavirus vaccination more...
Off-season RSV infections hit the South; CDC urges testing in long-term care
By
Alicia Lasek
Jun 16, 2021
Long-term care providers should keep a lookout — and potentially test for — a common respiratory virus that is spreading off-season in the southern United States, according to a CDC health alert. Staff...
‘Breakthrough’ COVID cases may mean testing is here to stay: report
By
Alicia Lasek
Apr 23, 2021
“The idea that we could be entirely done with testing in the post-vaccine world is probably not a good one right now,” says a well-known neuroscientist.
Rare COVID reinfections more common in adults age 65 years and up: study
By
Alicia Lasek
Mar 19, 2021
Seniors are more likely to contract COVID-19 again — with only 47% protection against repeat infection, compared with 80% for younger people, according to a new, large-scale study from Denmark.
Are we there yet? Vaccination success won’t ease need for LTC vigilance, observers say
By
Alicia Lasek
Feb 18, 2021
The need for stepped-up infection control measures likely will remain a necessity for the foreseeable future, say industry observers and stakeholders.
GAO: Nursing homes unlikely to use point-of-care COVID tests in states that question accuracy
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 29, 2021
A disconnect between federal and state or local policies has a direct effect on POC antigen test use in these settings, according to a comprehensive report released Thursday by the U.S. Government Accountability...
Clinical briefs for Friday, Jan. 22
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 22, 2021
Arthritis drug trial for COVID-19 stopped for lack of efficacy … CDC changes guidance for point-of-care antigen testing in long-term care facilities … AARP snapshot: COVID-19 cases, deaths increase...
CDC evaluation of BinaxNOW shows mixed performance in asymptomatic cases
By
Alicia Lasek
Jan 21, 2021
The antigen test kit sent to nursing homes nationwide last year has some major pluses, despite the potential for false negatives when compared with molecular tests, the agency reports.