Kayla Rivas

Coronavirus October 18, 2021

Colin Powell dies of COVID-19 complications despite vaccine: Medical experts weigh in

Gen. Colin Powell, former secretary of state, died Monday at 84 from COVID-related complications, though he was fully vaccinated, his family announced. His death, medical experts say, underscore the need for COVID-19 vaccine booster shots among older adults and high-risk populations to shore up protection.

Coronavirus October 15, 2021

FDA panel endorses Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine booster with 2-month gap for ages 18 and up

A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory committee on Friday endorsed an emergency authorization for the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine booster when administered at least two months after the initial dose among people ages 18 years and older.

Coronavirus October 14, 2021

FDA panel endorses Moderna’s COVID-19 booster vaccine for certain high risk groups

A U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel on Thursday endorsed emergency authorization for Moderna’s half-dose COVID-19 vaccine booster shot when administered at least six months following the two-dose series among people ages 65 and older and those ages 18-64 at high risk of occupational exposure and severe COVID-19.

Coronavirus October 13, 2021

Fauci says COVID-19 pandemic uncontrolled as 66M remain unvaccinated

With the U.S. averaging nearly 90,000 new COVID-19 infections each day and some 66 million Americans remaining unvaccinated, Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Biden’s chief medical adviser, said the country needs to gain control to approach normalcy.

Coronavirus October 13, 2021

WHO announces committee to probe COVID-19 pandemic origins

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced 26 proposed members to an advisory committee aimed to steer studies into the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic and other pathogens of epidemic potential.

Coronavirus October 8, 2021

To predict kids’ COVID-19 severity, researchers collect spit

Researchers are studying whether certain biomarkers in saliva may help predict COVID-19 severity in children, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. While most kids infected with COVID-19 typically have mild illness, some face serious complications like heart inflammation or respiratory failure.

Coronavirus October 7, 2021

US daily COVID-19 deaths decline 12% over 2 weeks

The U.S. is experiencing a decline in daily COVID-19 deaths after a two-month steady increase to mid-September, according to data compiled by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Coronavirus October 7, 2021

More than 140K US kids lost caregivers to COVID-19

More than 140,000 U.S. children lost a parent, grandparent or other caregiver to COVID-19, a study found, with researchers noting significant racial and ethnic disparities and calling for a focused effort to protect kids’ mental health and wellbeing.

HEALTH October 7, 2021

Avoid pumpkin carving injuries with these expert tips

With Halloween just weeks away, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons released safety guidance Wednesday aiming to reduce trauma injuries and visits to emergency departments related to pumpkin carving and other holiday festivities.

Coronavirus October 7, 2021

Pfizer, BioNTech request COVID-19 vaccine emergency authorization for kids ages 5 to 11

Pfizer and BioNTech requested Food and Drug Administration emergency authorization of their COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11, the companies announced Thursday.

INFECTIOUS DISEASE October 6, 2021

WHO recommends first malaria vaccine for African children: ‘Glimmer of hope’

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday recommended widespread use of the first malaria vaccine for African children, aimed to cut disease burden and save tens of thousands of lives.

Coronavirus October 6, 2021

Washington woman dead after rare J&J COVID vaccine-induced blood clot

A Washington woman succumbed to a rare clotting syndrome after receiving the J&J COVID-19 vaccine, marking the first such death confirmed in the state, health officials announced.

Depression October 4, 2021

Implanted device stimulates patient's brain, treats severe depression, researchers find

A woman with severe depression saw near-immediate relief when treated with a surgically implanted device to stimulate the neural circuit causing the illness, researchers at the University of California San Francisco announced Monday.

INFECTIOUS DISEASE October 4, 2021

Connecticut mosquitoes test positive for potentially deadly EEE virus, officials say

Connecticut health officials are cautioning southeastern area state residents over the potentially deadly mosquito-borne eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) virus after detecting virus-positive mosquitoes.

Coronavirus October 4, 2021

CDC renews recommendation for virtual holiday celebrations, changes course next day

As the U.S. enters the colder holiday seasons amid the coronavirus pandemic, updated federal health guidance is encouraging virtual celebrations and outdoor gatherings to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Coronavirus October 1, 2021

Nearly 2M COVID booster shots administered in first week, White House says

Nearly 2 million COVID-19 vaccine booster shots were administered over the last week, White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator Jeff Zients announced at a briefing Friday.

Cold and Flu October 1, 2021

Time to get flu shot is now, doctors urge: Or ‘roll the dice’

The best time to receive a flu shot is now, medical experts told Fox News, after a historic season low last year has left doctors concerned over patients' greater susceptibility to flu-related illness.

CANCER September 30, 2021

Thyroid cancer: What to know, according to experts

As Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, top medical experts are reminding the public of signs, symptoms and treatment options. So, what is thyroid cancer and who is most at-risk?

Coronavirus September 30, 2021

US COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations down 30% over prior month

Daily COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations have each declined by about 30% since late August, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Coronavirus September 29, 2021

Prescriptions for antiparasitic drug ivermectin surged amid pandemic, analysis shows

The number of monthly prescriptions for the antiparasitic drug ivermectin surged amid the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a claims analysis which suggested a sharp increase in off-label use.

MENTAL HEALTH September 29, 2021

Early adulthood depression increases dementia risk, study finds

Early adulthood depression was associated with cognitive impairment and faster cognitive decline, according to a new study building on dementia research.

Coronavirus September 28, 2021

COVID-19 vaccine third shot side effects on par with second dose: CDC study

Most additional doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine administered roughly six months after the primary series resulted in mild to moderate side effects, according to an analysis from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released Tuesday. 

Coronavirus September 28, 2021

Steroid nasal sprays reduce COVID-related poor outcomes, study suggests

Regular use of steroid nasal sprays afforded COVID-19 patients protection against virus-related hospitalization, ICU admission and death, the Cleveland Clinic announced Tuesday.

Nutrition September 28, 2021

'5 or more': Higher fruit, vegetable servings linked to kids' improved mental well-being

Higher fruit and vegetable intake was linked with greater mental well-being scores among secondary schoolchildren, according to a new study based out of the U.K.

Coronavirus September 27, 2021

Trick-or-treating amid COVID-19 pandemic: CDC director weighs in

Looking to partake in Halloween festivities this year? Celebrate outdoors, limit crowds and trick-or-treat in small groups, says Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Coronavirus September 27, 2021

COVID-19 vaccine boosters: Who is eligible?

U.S. health authorities’ move last week to authorize and recommend the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine to certain individuals who received a second dose six months ago has left about 20 million Americans eligible, according to Jeff Zients, White House COVID-19 response coordinator.

Coronavirus September 27, 2021

Pfizer begins Phase 2/3 study for COVID-19 oral antiviral in exposed adults

Pfizer initiated a Phase 2/3 study of an investigational oral antiviral with a low dose of ritonavir to prevent COVID-19 illness, the company announced Monday.

Coronavirus September 17, 2021

FDA panel endorses Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine booster for people 65 and older, high-risk patients

A U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advisory panel on Friday endorsed emergency approval for the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine booster shot at least six months following the second dose among people ages 65 and older and those at high risk of occupational exposure and severe COVID-19.

Coronavirus September 16, 2021

Adults ages 50 to 69 most likely to report ‘long COVID,’ UK study finds

An observational study out of the U.K. indicated that adults aged 50-69 reported so-called “long COVID,” or symptoms months after initial COVID-19 infection, at the highest rates compared to all other age groups.

Coronavirus September 16, 2021

Several studies support COVID-19 vaccine boosters as FDA remains neutral ahead of Friday vote

Several studies published Wednesday supporting potential use of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine booster shot amid waning immunity met a neutral tone from the Food and Drug Administration, per documents posted ahead of a critical meeting Friday.