Public Health

All eyes are on scientists exploring the COVID-19 pandemic's origin. But bat virus researchers, who are still looking for answers about the 2003 SARS outbreak, say there may never be an answer, The Wall Street Journal reported July 11. 

Mississippi health officials asked people age 65 and over and immunocompromised residents to avoid indoor gatherings through July 26, regardless of vaccination status, CNBC reports. 

Scientists across the globe are developing breath-based COVID-19 tests to rapidly identify individuals carrying the virus, The New York Times reported July 11. 

For the first time during the pandemic, Springfield, Mo.-based Mercy Hospital is opening a sixth COVID-19 unit, according to a July 11 tweet from Erik Frederick, the hospital's chief administrative officer. 

Here are 21 COVID-19-related research findings covered by Becker's Hospital Review since May 27:

K-12 schools should stay open this fall with some precautions in place because students benefit from in-person learning, according to updated July 9 guidance from the CDC. 

COVID-19 cases continue to tick up in the U.S. as the highly transmissible delta variant spreads and vaccination rates slow, according to the CDC's COVID Data Tracker Weekly Review published July 9.

Compared to other coronavirus variants, not much is known about lamda — the strain spreading through South America first detected in Peru in August 2020. 

Rhode Island became the first state to approve harm reduction centers for people to use illegal drugs when Gov. Daniel McKee on July 7 signed into law a proposal to help end the opioid crisis.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Rhode Island CMO Matthew Collins, MD, will be the U.S. rowing team's head physician at the Tokyo Olympics, opening July 23.