The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is seeking to temporarily amend H-2A requirements to help U.S. agricultural employers during the coronavirus emergency.
The H-2A program allows U.S. employers to bring foreign nationals to the country to fill temporary agricultural jobs.
The rule... Read More »
National Institutes of Health (NIH) scientists maintain N95 respirators can maintain functional integrity for up to three uses when decontaminated effectively.
The findings stem from a study conducted in a controlled laboratory setting. The results are not yet peer-reviewed but are being shared... Read More »
Citing an increased need for medical staff to handle the surge in confirmed COVID-19 cases, Sen. Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Rep. Albio Sires (D-N.J.) are encouraging the waiving of restrictions on doctors with employment-based visas.
The legislators said the restrictions prevent the doctors from... Read More »
Harried by an ongoing shortage of personal protective equipment for some of the emergency responders who need it most amid the COVID-19 pandemic -- firefighters and EMS workers -- the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC) is pitching a survey they hope to present directly to President... Read More »
Efforts begun on a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in February are moving closer to fruition for the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) and Sanofi Pasteur, with the announcement of pending non-clinical studies and a Phase 1 clinical trial.
These trials will determine the initial... Read More »
Millions of N95 respirators used by U.S. health care workers in hospital settings can now be sterilized for reuse, helping to combat the spread of COVID-19.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) on April 11 for one such technology that has the... Read More »
Researchers and engineers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Carle Health launched an effort to produce face shields for health professionals responding to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It stems from a personal protective equipment (PPE) design initiative led by The Grainger... Read More »
The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) is working with Vela Diagnostics USA to develop a rapid diagnostic test for the COVID-19 pandemic.
The rapid diagnostic test would be for use on two instrument platforms, which is needed to test as many people as possible and... Read More »
Ohio State University researchers have received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for a process designed to expand and accelerate COVID-19 testing statewide.
In response to shortages of test kit components, including swabs and vials filled with a liquid called viral transport media... Read More »
A group of lawmakers recently introduced a measure designed to expand assurances for public safety officers contracting COVID-19 in the line of duty.
Rep. Bill Pascrell, Jr. (D-NJ), co-chair of the Congressional Law Enforcement Caucus and Fire Services Caucus, House Judiciary Committee Chairman... Read More »
The push for convalescent plasma and hyperimmune globulin immunotherapies to use against COVID-19 continues at the federal level, with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) touting collaboration with non-governmental entities to see it done.
These immunotherapies could... Read More »
President Donald Trump’s pledge to halt funding to the World Health Organization (WHO) while the White House reviews its handling of the COVID-19 outbreak has drawn immediate criticism from the health community.
“We must all be allies against this threat; this is not the time to stand... Read More »
A group of senators recently forwarded correspondence to Vice President Mike Pence, the Coronavirus Task Force, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) seeking COVID-19 testing clarity.
Sens. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) and Tina Smith (D-MN) joined colleagues in calling for the initiation... Read More »
University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) officials said a new $2.5 million State of Maryland funding allotment would aid in initiating a broader COVID-19 testing initiative expanding testing capability.
"The state is in dire need of increased coronavirus testing, and the School of... Read More »
Rutgers University gained emergency use authorization (EUA) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) this week for a new test utilizing saliva to detect SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
The test comes from Rutgers’ RUCDR Infinite Biologics, the world's largest... Read More »
