Advertisement

COVID-19 Federal Responses: Monday, November 29, 2021

COVID-19 Federal Responses: Monday, November 29, 2021
  • Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson announced that they have all begun working on Omicron-specific COVID-19 vaccine boosters that should be ready in early 2022.
  • Omicron has not been detected in the U.S., although National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Director Dr. Anthony Fauci warned it will “inevitably” reach the U.S. soon. Dr. Fauci stated it will take approximately two more weeks to have more definitive information about the transmissibility, severity and other characteristics of the variant.
  • The FDA also authorized three new COVID-19 diagnostic tests.
    • The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) began distributing $7.5 billion in American Rescue Plan funding to providers in rural areas for COVID-19 relief funds.
    • The Biden administration awarded $1.5 billion in scholarships and student loan repayment assistance for healthcare workers.

White House and Federal Agencies

  • The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) began distributing $7.5 billion in American Rescue Plan funding to providers in rural areas for COVID-19 relief funds.
  • The Biden Administration announced that 90% of federal employees are vaccinated.
  • The Biden administration announced that all essential foreign travelers into the United States (U.S.) must be fully vaccinated by January 22. This adds to existing vaccination requirements for non-essential foreign travelers.
  • The Biden administration asked a Cincinnati-based federal appeals court to reinstate the workplace vaccine mandate that requires businesses with over 100 employees to be vaccinated for COVID-19 or undergo weekly testing. A court order is preventing the mandate from taking effect while legal challenges play out.
  • The Biden administration awarded $1.5 billion in scholarships and student loan repayment assistance for healthcare workers.

Economy, Vaccines, Testing and Treatment

  • The World Health Organization (WHO) held an emergency meeting on Friday and identified a new COVID-19 variant, Omicron, as a variant of concern (VOC).
    • The variant was first identified on November 24, 2021, in South Africa.
    • Details about the transmissibility, severity, and other characteristics of the variant are still unclear. The fact that omicron has more mutations than other variants causes concern that omicron could be more transmissible and/or cause more severe symptoms than previous variants. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Director Dr. Anthony Fauci stated it will take approximately two more weeks to have more definitive information.
    • Omicron has not been detected in the U.S., although Dr. Anthony Fauci warned it will “inevitably” reach the U.S. soon.
    • The Biden Administration announced travel restrictions from regions of Africa where the variant has been active.
    • Moderna, Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson announced that they have all begun working on Omicron-specific COVID-19 vaccine boosters that should be ready in early 2022.
    • President Biden gave an update today on the federal response to Omicron.
  • The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) authorized Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 booster vaccines for all adults over 18.
  • The FDA also authorized three new COVID-19 diagnostic tests.
  • Pfizer announced that their COVID-19 vaccine is 100% effective in kids aged 12-15.
  • The FDA stated that Merck’s COVID-19 treatment pill is effective, but requires further assessment for use during pregnancy.
  • Medicare announced that it will cover the cost of COVID-19 booster shots for those older than 65 and for immunocompromised individuals.
  • A survey revealed that 74% of Americans consider their lives to be “back to normal” since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • A study showed that there is no risk of serious adverse events for individuals over 75 after receiving a COVID-19 booster vaccine.
  • A study indicated that there is an increased risk for blood clots in COVID-19 patients after hospitalization.
  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released data showing an increased rate in stillbirths among pregnant individuals amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • A study showed a 35% increase in calls to mental health hotlines during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • New data shows racial minorities and psychiatric patients are at increased risk of mortality from a COVID-19 infection.

Advertisement