AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine reaches major hurdle: final US testing

The potential vaccine was invented by the University of Oxford and an associated company, Vaccitech. Meanwhile, a U.S. advisory panel is suggesting a way to ration the first limited doses once a vaccine does prove safe and effective.

Fad or future? Telehealth expansion eyed beyond COVID-19 pandemic

During the coronavirus pandemic the use of telehealth visits has taken off after Medicare temporarily relaxed restrictions that predated the smartphone era.

Coronavirus hits older men harder than women, study finds

Older men infected with the novel coronavirus are up to twice as likely to become severely sick and die as women of the same age, according to a study published Wednesday.

WHO: Avoid dental cleanings and other routine visits to the dentist for now

You should put off routine dental care until coronavirus cases fall, according to the WHO. UPDATE: A network of dentists in the U.S. have pushed back.

U.N.: COVID-19 plasma treatment is still experimental

The World Health Organization is cautioning that using blood plasma from COVID-19 survivors to treat other patients is still considered an experimental therapy. 

CDC: September, October are best months to get your flu shot

Infectious disease experts say that while there isn't a coronavirus vaccine yet, flu vaccinations are recommended for everyone over 6 months old.

20% of US nursing homes faced severe PPE and staff shortages amid COVID-19 surges

Significantly, there was no improvement from May to July in the shortages of personal protective equipment, known as PPE, or in the staffing shortfalls, according to the analysis of federal data by academic researchers. The summer has seen the coronavirus surge across the South, and much of the West and Midwest.

'Hospital at home' programs taking off across country amid pandemic

As hospitals care for people with COVID-19 and try to keep others from catching the virus, more patients are opting to be treated where they feel safest: at home.

FDA medical supply shortage list includes respirators, gloves, testing swabs

The FDA released a medical supply shortage list on the agency’s website, and the list features critical supplies in the fight against COVID-19, including testing swabs, certain respirators and hospital gowns.

US nursing home cases up nearly 80% in COVID-19 rebound

A new report says COVID-19 cases in U.S. nursing homes jumped nearly 80% earlier this summer, driven by rampant spread across the South and much of the West.

U.S. health insurers post huge profits during pandemic

U.S. health insurance companies posted massive second-quarter earnings as people postponed elective medical procedures during the coronavirus pandemic.

Study hints, can't prove, survivor plasma fights COVID-19

Mayo Clinic researchers reported a strong hint that blood plasma from COVID-19 survivors helps other patients recover, but it’s not proof and some experts worry if, amid clamor for the treatment, they'll ever get a clear answer.

Infectious disease experts say it may take 1 year for COVID-19 vaccine to be widely available after approval

According to a survey from InCrowd, a medical research company, a majority of infectious disease experts believed it would likely take as long as a year before a coronavirus vaccine is widely available to the public after the vaccine’s approval.

Study: Majority of states facing shortage of ICU doctors

A new study says that twenty-six states across the nation are at risk of not having enough ICU doctors to treat COVID-19 patients.

Companies test antibody drugs to help treat and prevent coronavirus ahead of a vaccine

It can take a month or two after vaccination or infection for the most effective antibodies to form. The experimental drugs shortcut that process by giving concentrated versions of specific ones that worked best against the coronavirus in lab and animal tests.