Researchers find that 80% of cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may have gone undiagnosed in March; Sanofi Pasteur expands partnership to speed up vaccine development; FDA issues warning on 9 hand sanitizers produced by Mexico-based manufacturer.
There was a surge of Americans seeking outpatient care in March for flu-like illnesses, and a study reported by CNN suggests that as many as 80% of those patients were actually infected with SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The study was published in Science Translational Medicine. Researchers examined state data reported to the CDC on the number of people who sought care for flu-like illnesses who were never diagnosed with COVID-19, influenza, or any other viruses. Running a series of calculations on the above-average surge for March, the researchers estimated that if one-third of those people sought COVID-19 testing, which was scarce at the time, it would have amounted to 8.7 million infections. Currently, the United States has reported 2.3 million infections.
Sanofi Pasteur announced a $425 million deal to expand its partnership with Translate Bio and said a first-in-human study of a COVID-19 vaccine, based on the biotech's mRNA technology, will begin in the fourth quarter. In addition, STAT reported that the start of a phase 1/2 clinical trial for a vaccine Sanofi is developing with GlaxoSmithKline has been moved to September from December. The deal with Translate Bio gives Sanofi an exclusive license to pursue the development of mRNA vaccines across all infectious disease areas.
The FDA announced that 9 hand sanitizers produced by Eskbiochem SA may contain methanol, warning that if absorbed through the skin or ingested, it can cause dangerous effects such as seizures, permanent blindness, and coma. Reported by The Hill, the FDA is asking consumers to stop using the products made from the Mexico-based manufacturer and to dispose of them in appropriate hazardous waste containers as opposed to flushing or pouring them down the drain. The FDA said that it had requested the company to pull the products but the manufacturer has yet to do so.
Empowering Community Health Through Wellness and Faith
April 23rd 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are bringing you a special month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. In the third episode, Camille Clarke-Smith, EdD, MS, CHES, CPT, discusses approaching community health holistically through spiritual and community engagement.
Listen
Data Back Neoadjuvant Combo vs Chemo Alone for Early-Stage NSCLC
April 24th 2024For patients with early-stage non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), combining neoadjuvant immune checkpoint inhibitors and platinum-based chemotherapy improves 2-year outcomes over chemotherapy alone, suggest findings of an extensive literature review and meta-analysis.
Read More
Overcoming Employment Barriers for Lasting Social Impact: Freedom House 2.0 and Pathways to Work
April 16th 2024To help celebrate and recognize National Minority Health Month, we are bringing you a special month-long podcast series with our Strategic Alliance Partner, UPMC Health Plan. Welcome to our second episode, in which we learn all about Freedom House 2.0 and the Pathways to Work program.
Listen
Patient Navigation in Oncology at Heart of Priority Health White House Visit
April 24th 2024On March 27, Priority Health's president and CEO, Praveen Thadani participated in a discussion on how to expand and optimize patient navigation services in oncology care, as part of the Cancer Moonshot initiative.
Read More