COVID in L.A.

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In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Sam Torbati, co-chair of the department of emergency medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. 

Topics today include: 

• White House Covid response coordinator: Americans over 60 should get second booster. 
• With the rise in at-home testing, are we undercounting COVID-19 cases even more than before?  
• COVID hospitalizations fall to 213 in L.A. County. 
• California will not require COVID vaccines for children this fall. 
• BA.2 is spreading in the U.S. but people are over it. 
• FDA authorizes first breath test to detect coronavirus. 

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. 

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Dean Blumberg, professor of medicine and chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at UC Davis Children’s Hospital. 

Topics today include: 

• Experts say the U.S. is likely “dramatically undercounting” current COVID cases as states scale back regular reporting. 

  • Coronavirus cases on the rise in L.A. County, prompting concerns for spring break. 
• What we know about the Omicron XE subvariant in California. 
• California removes quarantine requirement for asymptomatic people exposed to COVID. 
• Pfizer says its booster raises antibodies against Omicron in kids 5-11. 
• C.D.C. extends mask mandate on planes, trains until May 3. 
• The city of Philadelphia will reinstate its indoor mask mandate. 

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. 

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Kimberly Shriner, director of Infectious Disease and Prevention at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena. 

Topics today include: 

• Fauci: Assess your personal risk amid uptick in COVID-19 cases; says recent increase is concerning but not surprising. 
• Georgetown, Johns Hopkins universities temporarily restore some COVID measures as cases among students rise. 
• The next COVID vaccine could be a nasal spray. 
• New research finds COVID vaccines, combined with infection, can lead to months of immunity. 
• NYT: Why a coronavirus-flu “twindemic” may never happen. 

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. 

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Kristen R. Choi, professor of nursing and public health at UCLA. 

Topics today include: 

• LAist: Without Masks, More LA Students Test Positive As School Outbreaks Triple. 
• How can someone be exposed to COVID-19 but not contract it? 
• UC San Diego selected as a new clinical trial site for variant-specific vaccines. 
• Could COVID-19 vaccines cause hearing issues? 
• Those who contract COVID-19 more likely to develop diabetes. 
• Could suspension of COVID-19 aid abroad extend the pandemic? 

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. 

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Sam Torbati, co-chair of the department of emergency medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. 

Topics today include: 

• Is it COVID or allergies? 

  • Colds and flu make a comeback after pandemic downturn. 
• WHO says global COVID cases are trending down, but they’re watching new Omicron subvariant. 
• F.D.A. advisors debate how to update current COVID vaccines. 
• L.A. County expands test-to-treat services and adds a tele-health option. 
• What endemic disease looks like. 
• CDC lowers travel warning for Canada and many other destinations. 
• The debate over long COVID in kids. 

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. 

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Arthur Reingold, professor of epidemiology and Head of the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health. 

Topics today include: 

• Israeli study finds second booster offered short-term protection against Omicron. 

• Cases rise in San Diego and San Francisco. 

  • Why haven’t cases risen throughout the United States? 
• CA lifts its proof of vaccination for indoor mega events. 
• United Kingdom detects omicron XE, a new variant. 
• Risk management for immunocompromised people. 
• COVID-19 concerns dropping in the United States. 
• Recent clinical studies could lead to vaccines that are easier to store. 
• NYT: FDA suspends Glaxo’s antibody drug. 
• President Biden’s global COVID-19 summit postponed. 

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. 

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Shruti Gohil, professor of medicine and associate medical director for epidemiology and infection prevention at UC Irvine’s School of Medicine. 

Topics today include: 

• What’s next for COVID-19 vaccines? 
• What we know about the BA.2 variant so far. 
• Those enrolled in Medicare to have free access to COVID-19 tests at drug stores. 
• Following criticism, CDC hires independent evaluator in hopes of improving the department. 

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. 

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Dean Blumberg, professor of medicine and chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at UC Davis Children’s Hospital. 

Topics today include: 

• What are the concerns BA.2 poses here in California? 
• Coronavirus cases are spiking in some cities. Is LA County the next to be hit? 
• Continuing research on long COVID. 
• How do we begin vaccine development to stop the next pandemic? 
• Nursing home deaths are now at their lowest point since the pandemic began. 

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. 

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Sam Torbati, co-chair of the department of emergency medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. 

Topics today include: 

• Many people eligible for the second booster shot may not need to race to get it, experts say. 
• L.A. City Council lifts COVID vaccine mandate for indoor businesses, outdoor events. 
• A new government website aims to help Americans find COVID antiviral pills. 
• Large study finds Ivermectin does not reduce risk of COVID hospitalization. 
• Opinion: Where the coronavirus could be going. 

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. 

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at the UCSF Medical Center. 

Topics today include: 

• L.A. County residents over 50 can start receiving second boosters Wednesday. 

  • How to get the new booster if you’re 50 or older. 
• C.D.C. report: Pfizer and Moderna boosters help protect Americans who received the J&J shot. 
• WHO: COVID deaths jump by 40%, but cases are falling globally. 
• AP and NORC poll: Americans taking fewer precautions two years into the pandemic. 
• California lawmakers don’t advance proposal to require all workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19. 

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. 

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Kimberly Shriner, director of Infectious Disease and Prevention at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena. 

Topics today include: 

• F.D.A. authorizes second booster shots for adults age 50 and older. 
• Omicron “stealth” COVID variant BA.2 now dominant globally. 
• Coronavirus deaths in the U.S. fall to their lowest number since summer. 
• Funding runs out for free COVID tests and treatment for the uninsured. 
• F.D.A.’s budget proposal includes money to prepare for another pandemic. 
• How COVID brain fog may overlap with “chemo brain” and Alzheimer’s. 

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. 

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at the UCSF Medical Center. 

Topics today include: 

• Only 30% of L.A. County kids are vaccinated, months after COVID shots became available. 
• Why it’s so difficult to assess pandemic risks right now. 
• California sends millions of COVID-19 tests to schools for the return from spring break.  
• Studies link COVID-19 infection with increased risk of new diabetes diagnosis. 
• Pfizer, Moderna, and J&J face shareholder pressure to broaden vaccine access. 
• Shanghai to put 25 million in a staggered COVID lockdown. 

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. 

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Dean Blumberg, professor of medicine and chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at UC Davis Children’s Hospital. 

Topics today include: 

• Experts worry how U.S. will see the next COVID surge coming. 
• Airlines for an end to the mask mandate for travel. 
• We know about long COVID. Should there be a medium COVID? 
• Evidence grows that vaccines lower the risk of getting long COVID. 

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. 

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Robert Kim-Farley, professor of epidemiology and community health sciences at UCLA. 

Topics today include: 

• Moderna will seek emergency use authorization for children ages 6 months to 6 years old. 

• One in three U.S. COVID-19 cases now caused by BA.2 Omicron subvariant. 

  • Dr. Anthony Fauci doubtful BA.2 will cause new surge. 

• LAUSD dropped mask mandates for students on Wednesday. 
• Should airlines continue with mask mandates?
• WHO warns European countries lifted restrictions too soon.
• Scientists look for method to test for efficacy of COVID-19 antibodies. 
• How effective should a pediatric vaccine be?  

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. 

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Dean Blumberg, professor of medicine and chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at UC Davis Children’s Hospital. 

Topics today include: 

• Dr. Anthony Fauci: uptick in cases likely due to BA.2 subvariant of Omicron. 

  • New study sheds light on BA.2’s recent success. 
• L.A. Times: Omicron surge hit SoCal harder than the rest of the state. 
• The unclear future of additional booster shots. 
• Could the BAFTA weekend have caused an uptick in COVID-19 cases in the entertainment industry? 
• As mask requirements ease, teens find themselves anxious on whether to continue masking. 

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.  

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Tara Vijayan, associate professor of infectious diseases and medical director of antimicrobial stewardship at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. 

Topics today include: 

• Moderna asks the F.D.A. to authorize a second booster for all adults. 

• Europe’s rising caseloads could foreshadow a second Omicron surge in the U.S. 

  • Overwhelmed by Omicron, Hong Kong runs out of space to bury its dead. 
  • This key indicator could determine how bad a BA.2 wave could be in the U.S. 
  • Study reveals likely reason for the “stealth” variant’s recent success. 
• More than 30 companies to start making generic versions of Pfizer’s COVID-19 pill. 
• Ivermectin did not reduce COVID-19 hospitalizations in largest trial to date. 
• The goal: Vaccinate 70% of the world against COVID. Scientists are proposing a reboot. 

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. 

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Paul Adamson, infectious diseases physician and assistant clinical professor at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. 

Topics today include: 

• Scientists fear U.K. is easing coronavirus testing and monitoring too soon. 
• WHO: New COVID deaths fell 17% last week, but cases are rising. 
• Israeli study: Second COVID booster shot does little to stop Omicron. 
• French study: Pfizer’s COVID vaccine is safe in people with prior myocarditis. 
• The goal: Vaccinate 70% of the world against COVID. Scientists are proposing a reboot. 
• Does COVID-19 cause diabetes? 

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. 

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Sam Torbati, co-chair of the department of emergency medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. 

Topics today include: 

• Coronavirus cases are rising in Europe. Is it a warning for California? 

  • U.S. sewer data warns of new bump in COVID cases after lull. 
• Coronavirus positive test rate in California is 1.5%, lowest since before summer’s Delta surge. 
• As data mounts, the J&J vaccine holds its own. 

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. 

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Kimberly Shriner, director of Infectious Disease and Prevention at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena. 

Topics today include: 

• Pfizer’s CEO says a fourth dose of COVID-19 vaccine will be needed. Pfizer is working on a shot to handle all variants. 

  • Pfizer and BioNTech seeking approval for a second COVID-19 booster shot for those 65 and over. 
• Merck’s COVID-19 pill heavily used so far despite concerns.  
• The latest surge in Asia and Europe. 
• White House says funding is running out for COVID-19 vaccination, testing, and treatment programs.

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.