Hospitals in Maine are seeing near-record levels of intensive care demands for COVID-19 patients despite an overall lower patient count, according to a May 6 report in the Portland Press Herald.

The actual number of global COVID-19 deaths may be about 6.9 million, more than double the recorded amount, according to a study from the University of Washington's Institute for Health Metrics and Valuation published May 6. 

Walmart Health has entered an agreement to acquire on-demand, multispecialty telehealth provider MeMD, the retailer said May 6.

The American Hospital Association is asking CMS to allow providers to use their COVID-19 provider relief fund grants past the current June 30 deadline. 

CMS is increasing the Medicare payment rate for administering monoclonal antibodies to treat patients with COVID-19. 

Bill Hoefer has been tapped as the new market leader for Spectrum Health's Southwest region covering Allegan and Ottawa counties, the Grand Rapids, Mich.-based health system said May 6. 

Johns Hopkins University and Johns Hopkins Health System, both based in Baltimore, are boosting their minimum wage to $15 per hour, they said May 6.

Jacksonville, Fla.-based Nemours Children's Health System is offering a new means of transportation for patients, visitors, employees and community members: self-driving shuttles.

Some patients with severe COVID-19 cases may exhibit decreased lung function or lung changes for up to a year after recovering, according to a study published May 5 in The Lancet Respiratory Medicine.

A former employee of Pittsburgh-based West Penn Hospital has pleaded guilty to using a hidden camera to film patients and employees, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported. 

COVID-19 hospitalizations in the U.S. are plateauing, with an average of 40,000 hospitalizations recorded per day, a similar level to the early fall, reports The New York Times.

Out of 12 infants born to mothers who had a uterus transplant, all were born at a healthy weight and developed normally at 2 months, according to a study recently published in the American Journal of Perinatology.

Children's of Philadelphia CEO Madeline Bell is launching a podcast series to talk with physicians and scientists to share behind-the-scenes insights on some of their work, according to a May 5 news release.

Mon Health System in Morgantown, W.Va., and Minnie Hamilton Health System in Grantsville, W.Va., entered into a clinical affiliation that aims to increase access to specialty care.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Tennessee is sending refunds worth an average of $250 to 100,000 state residents who purchased individual plans from the ACA's health insurance marketplace in 2018. This is the second time in eight months the Chattanooga-based payer has issued refunds to members, according to the Times Free Press. 

On April 30, Bill and Joanne Conway committed $20 million in scholarship support for 160 Catholic University nursing students over the next five years. 

UnitedHealthcare announced it will offer a support program for retirees returning home from a hospital or skilled nursing facility.

Last year's health insurer operating margins were surprisingly stable despite quarterly volatility caused by COVID-19 testing and treatment, according to Fitch Ratings.

Northwell Health has awarded $1.3 million to four innovation projects spearheaded by the New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based health system's employees.

Trenton, N.J.-based St. Francis Medical Center, owned by Trinity Health, has signed a letter of intent to explore joining Pennington, N.J.-based Capital Health.