A Doctor's Note

A Doctor's Note on Coronavirus

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September 22, 2020

Dear Friends,


National Updates:
ModernaPfizer, and AstraZeneca publicly released their vaccine protocols.

Eli Lilly and Company announced proof of concept data from an interim analysis of the BLAZE-1 clinical trial showing a reduced rate of hospitalization for patients treated with the drug.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services(CMS) issued revised guidance providing recommendations on ways nursing homes can safely facilitate both indoor and outdoor visitation during the pandemic.

  • CMS received the final report from the independent Coronavirus Commission for Safety and Quality in Nursing Homes, which reinforces the strategies and initiatives implemented by CMS to ensure nursing home residents are protected from COVID-19.
  • CMS published a guide and flowchart to payment for COVID-19 viral testing in nursing homes.

The Department of Health and Human Services provided five additional Rural Tribal COVID-19 Response program awards.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has a COVID-19 testing overview webpage.

The National Institutes of Health expanded enrollment in two clinical trials to further evaluate convalescent plasma as a treatment for hospitalized COVID-19 patients in hopes of generating sufficient data on whether convalescent plasma is effective and safe for the treatment of COVID-19.

Until next time, this is your doctor’s note.
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Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D.