This morning, I joined Mark Davis to discuss the latest with COVID-19 and what this fall might look like.
National Updates The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization for the third combination diagnostic test that will help differentiate between flu and COVID-19 viruses in individuals, in order to help health care providers prepare for the upcoming flu season amidst the pandemic.
The Department of Health and Human Services(HHS) and Department of Defense (DOD)announced a $1.6 billion agreement with Novavax, Inc.to fund manufacturing of the company’s COVID-19 investigational vaccine, thereby purchasing 100 million doses to be distributed as part of a clinical trail or a vaccine campaign.
HHS will temporarily provide free COVID-19 testing in Jacksonville, FL; Baton Rouge, LA; and Edinburg, TX in order to help these communities deal with the significant increase in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.
Texas Updates Last week, Governor Abbott issued an executive order requiring Texans in counties with more than 20 cases of COVID-19 to wear face coverings in public places. He also issued a proclamation giving mayors and county judges the authority to impose restrictions on some outdoor gatherings of over 10 people.
The Texas Hospital Association published a one-pager with strategies to help health care workers manage stress and cope with COVID-19 as hospitalizations continue to rise and hospitals are expanding capacity.
