During a recent Q&A, a representative with the World Health Organization warned that the Omicron variant is not the last of its kind. Dr. Maria Van Kerkhove explained that the next variant is likely to be more transmissible and could
WHO
COVID-19 Update: New CDC Guidance About the Omicron Variant
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) reported that the Omicron variant has been detected in all but sixteen of the United States. The Delta variant continues to be the main variant circulating in the United States, however. The…
COVID-19 Update: Omicron- The New Variant of the Coronavirus
On Friday, November 26, 2021, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) reported a new variant of COVID-19, the Omicron variant, was detected in South Africa. There is no indication the new variant is more contagious or more lethal, or that it…
COVID-19 Update: Pfizer-BioNTech Vaccine Approved for Teens
On May 10, 2021 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) announced that the Pfizer-BioNTech Emergency Use Authorization (“EUA”) would be expanded to include children ages 12-15. Previously, the vaccine had been approved for individuals 16 and older. The press…
COVID-19 Update: World Health Organization Warns of Dangerous Phase
During a press conference on June 19, 2020, World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that “[t]he pandemic is accelerating” and that we are now in a “dangerous phase” where the virus is “spreading fast.” June 22, 2020…
COVID-19 Update: The Joint Commission to Resume Hospital Surveys
The Joint Commission (TJC) is resuming regular surveys and reviews after suspending them at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic. Safety will be “the first and foremost priority” as surveys and reviews are resumed and the survey’s will “assess the…
COVID-19 update: WHO urges cautions on immunity passports
As countries around the world seek creative policy solutions to permit the opening of their economies, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) released a Scientific Brief on April 24, 2020 finding that “[t]here is currently no evidence that people who have…
COVID-19 Update: Coronavirus Designated a Pandemic by WHO
On Wednesday the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stated that “In the days and weeks ahead, we expect to see the number of cases, the number of deaths and the number of…
COVID-19 Update: CMS Releases Guidance for Hospitals and Nursing Homes
On Wednesday March 4, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released three guidance documents for health care providers relating to the coronavirus. Worldwide there have been 96,888 confirmed cases, resulting in 3,305 fatalities, including 11 deaths…
COVID-19 Update: US Expands Travel Restrictions After First Fatality
On Saturday, the State of Washington announced the first fatality in the United States arising from the coronavirus, with a second announced on Sunday. Washington Governor Jay Inslee has declared a state of emergency. As of Monday March 2,…