COVID-19 Online Newsroom

May unemployment numbers showed a small increase in furloughs for people with disabilities, and a small decline for people without disabilities. For both groups, the numbers looking for work rose slightly. These changes do not alter the overall picture, which remains one of slow progress toward recovery, according to economist Andrew Houtenville, PhD. "Unemployment appears to be leveling off but at a higher level," he noted. "Could this be a new normal? It's too early to say."

The economic activity might not recover quickly and poverty increase in the next 4 years, decarbonisation might be only temporary. The consequences of COVID-19 based on the effects of five previous major epidemics in this century and how the recovery packages should align to sustainability targets in a study led by the RFF-CMCC European Institute on Economics and the Environment (EIEE).

The AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG), the largest global HIV research network, commemorates the 40th anniversary of the initial publication of reports of what came to be known as HIV/AIDS in CDC's Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. The anniversary coincides with the 2021 Virtual Annual ACTG Network Meeting. This year's annual meeting will highlight ACTG research and efforts over the past year, including those to address COVID-19, as well as future research directions.

The U7+ Alliance of World Universities calls on world leaders to prioritize the interest of future generations and recognize universities' capacity to help tackle pressing global issues such as climate change, the economic recovery from COVID-19 and championing social justice.

National Comprehensive Cancer Network's patient information team provides a patient and caregiver version of recently updated, evidence-based expert consensus recommendations for vaccinating people with cancer against COVID-19.

The AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG), the largest global HIV research network, today announced the addition of two monoclonal antibodies, BMS-986414 and BMS-986413, to the COVID-19 outpatient treatment study, ACTIV-2 Outpatient Monoclonal Antibodies and Other Therapies Trial. BMS-986414 and BMS-986413 will be administered as subcutaneous injections (shots) given at one visit. ACTIV-2 includes both phase 2 and phase 3 evaluations of multiple investigational agents for treating early COVID-19 in a single trial.

Vaccines are mostly synonymous with needles, an efficient and effective way to provide immunity to myriad infections. As COVID-19 vaccination efforts roll out across the U.S. and the world, some experts believe that a vaccine administered through the nose could be just as effective and easier to administer. A cover story in Chemical & Engineering News, the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society, explains the pros and cons of nasal vaccines.

RedHill Biopharma Ltd. (Nasdaq: RDHL), a specialty biopharmaceutical company, today announced that it has completed enrollment and randomized the last patient in the global Phase 2/3 study with opaganib (Yeliva®, ABC294640) in patients hospitalized with severe COVID-19 pneumonia (NCT04467840). A total of 475 patients were randomized, more than the planned 464.

Centivax Inc. announced today that it has entered into a strategic partnership with the US Naval Medical Research Center (NMRC) for Phase I clinical development of Centi-B9, Centivax's SARS-CoV-2 broad-spectrum injectable antibody therapeutic and prophylactic.

As the country gets vaccinated and begins to re-open, testing remains a key element of safe interactions. Rapid testing for COVID-19 has become more common and accessible, including over-the-counter (OTC) tests approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN), the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society, puts five of these at-home rapid tests through their paces to gauge efficacy and ease of use in a new cover story.

Houston Methodist announced today, in partnership with the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), that it has expanded access to COVID-19 monoclonal antibody therapy (mAb) in the Greater Houston area.