COVID in L.A.

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: 

• Merck pill gets FDA panel support in a 13-10 vote. 
• Biden administration expected to toughen testing requirements for international travelers. 
• Omicron likely had began to spread from South Africa prior to it being detected. 
• Los Angeles County has no significant plans for new COVID-19 restrictions. 
  
  • If vaccines prove to be ineffective, county health department’s first priority will be protecting nursing homes. 
• Bay Area Scientist explains Omicron variant’s set of mutations. 
• California patient confirmed to have first US case of the Omicron variant. 

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 Doctor Kimberly Shriner, director of Infectious Disease and Prevention at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena. 

Topics today include: 

• The Omicron variant is coming, but we can prepare 
  
  • CDC urges all adults to get COVID-19 boosters as the Omicron variant looms. 
  • Regeneron’s monoclonal antibody treatment is not as effective against the Omicron variant, according to preliminary tests. 
  • Omicron variant isn’t likely to cause severe illness for vaccinated individuals, according to BioNTech founder. 
  • Moderna’s chief executive predicts current vaccines will struggle against the Omicron variant.
• Low income L.A. County residents are less likely to get COVID-19 vaccines. 
• Merck’s COVID-19 treatment pill is being reviewed by the FDA. 
• FDA is moving to authorize COVID-19 booster shots for 16 and 17 year-olds. 
• Tomorrow is World AIDS Day; we look at the history of the disease and how treatments have evolved.

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 medicine and chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at UC Davis Children’s Hospital.

Topics today include:

• Omicron variant spreads around the world

  • How big a threat is the Omicron variant? W.H.O. warns it poses a “very high” global risk
  • How the Omicron variant rattled the world in one week 
  • Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna expect data on their vaccines’ protections against the new variant soon 
  • What California is doing to defend against the Omicron variant 
  • Video: Where do variants come from? 
  • In naming the Omicron variant, authorities skipped “xi” and “nu”
• Merck updates data on the effectiveness of its COVID-19 pill
• Enforcement of L.A.’s COVID vaccine mandate for indoor businesses starts today 
• Is California in a better place this year than we were this time last year? 
• How Puerto Rico became the most vaccinated place in America 

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, guest host Sharon McNary speaks with director of Infectious Disease and Prevention at Pasadena’s Huntington Hospital, Dr. Kimberly Shriner. 

Topics today include:

• Many seemingly worrying COVID-19 vaccine reactions are common and harmless
• CDC finds that vaccine immunity is more consistent than immunity gained from infection
• About 44,000 LAUSD students missed their first vaccine deadline
• COVID-19 booster shot uptake is lower in the hardest-hit LA County ZIP codes
• COVID-19 cases up 32% in kids from two weeks ago
• What you should make of the latest COVID-19 surge 

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, guest host Sharon McNary speaks with Dr. Sam Torbati, co-chair of the department of emergency medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. 

Topics today include:

• The CDC has approved COVID-19 booster shots for all U.S. adults
• The most vulnerable groups face the biggest risk of breakthrough hospitalizations
• White House says 95% of the federal workforce has met the administration's vaccine mandate
• A CDC study has found the delta variant is linked to an increased risk of stillbirth
• What you can do to celebrate Thanksgiving safely
  
  • Dr. Anthony Fauci says fully vaccinated family members can gather without masks
  • Holiday season expected to strain COVID-19 home test supply
• More than 1 in 10 children ages 5-11 in California have received a vaccine shot
  
  • SoCal vaccinations for kids lag behind Bay Area

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 UCSF’s Dr. Peter Chin-Hong.

Topics today include:

• The TSA expects Thanksgiving air travel to return to near pre-pandemic levels
• LAUSD will offer $5 million in incentives for getting vaccinated
• OSHA is pausing enforcement of its vaccine mandate over a court stay
• FDA could authorize Moderna vaccine boosters for all adults this week

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

In today's episode: Pfizer Boosters For All Adults Could Be Coming Soon, Requirements For LAUSD Students In Spring 2022 And More

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 Timothy Brewer, M.D., epidemiologist and professor of medicine at UCLA’s school of public health.

Topics today include:

• 70% of Californians have received at least one vaccine dose 

• Pfizer to allow other companies to make its COVID-19 pill in developing countries 

  • Merck and Pfizer agreements exclude Brazil, Cuba, Iraq, Libya and Jamaica 
• L.A. officials worry that those vaccinated earlier this year could be hit in winter surge 
• CDC adds Hungary, Iceland, the Czech Republic and Guernsey to its level 4 warning list 

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:

• Experts warn of potential swell in California COVID-19 cases
• COVID-19-related hospitalizations drop to 600 in LA County
• Why new COVID-19 antiviral pills could be our ‘penicillin moment’
• U.K. COVID-19 surge fueled by unvaccinated children -- a warning for California
• Experts worry fewer Americans are getting their flu shot
• Austria starts COVID-19 lockdown -- but only for unvaccinated people

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, Austin Cross speaks with UCSF’s Dr. Peter Chin-Hong.

Topics today include:

• All Californians 18 and over are now eligible for a booster shot
• Booster shots are most popular in poorly vaccinated states where coronavirus rages

• Orange County sees robust demand for child COVID-19 vaccines

  • Should an 11-year-old wait to get the bigger COVID-19 dose?
• What we know so far about waning vaccine effectiveness
• CDC shifts pandemic goals away from reaching herd immunity

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. Annabelle De St. Maurice of UCLA and Mattel Children’s Hospital.

Topics today include:

• State says CA adults who want booster shot can get it
• California’s fully vaccinated rate drops from 73% to 66.3% as kids 5-11 vaccine eligibility is factored in
• Ellume recalls COVID-19 home test for potential false positive COVID test results
• Moderna says Covid vaccine has fewer breakthrough cases than Pfizer’s, but higher myocarditis rates in young men
• Nearly 1 million young children have received COVID vaccine so far, White House estimates
• World at risk of measles outbreaks as COVID-19 disrupts infant shots, report says
• Mountain West, Northern states seeing increase in COVID-19 infections

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 Huntington Hospital's Dr. Kimberly Shriner.

Topics today include:

• Pfizer seeking FDA approval for boosters for all adults
• L.A. County sees 34 percent spike in cases over two weeks
• California's COVID-19 fortunes reverse as cases begin to climb
• After weeks of decline, COVID-19 case rates have stalled at a high level
• Nearly 1m kids age 5-11 will have their first COVID-19 shots by end of today
• Why people with depression and mood disorders now qualify for booster shots

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 UCLA’s. Dr. Tara Vijayan.

Topics today include:

• Thousands protest L.A. vaccine mandates as verification rules kick in
• Are California’s vaccine rules making inequality worse?
• COVID-19 hospitalizations rising in parts of California
• French health authority advises against Moderna vaccine for those under 30
• California health officials urge COVID-19 booster shots ahead of the holidays

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

COVID-19 AMA: U.S. Allows Vaccinated Travelers Into Country, Regeneron CEO Says Treatment Provides Lasting Protection, And More

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:

• Pfizer’s Covid antiviral pill may cut severe illness by 89%. 
• Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti reports ‘some fever and head cold’ symptoms following Covid-19 diagnosis. What does that tell us about breakthrough cases? 
• Europe is back at the epicenter of the Covid-19 pandemic, a W.H.O. official says. 
• Hawaii is easing restrictions and preparing to welcome back tourists. 
• Study shows dramatic decline in effectiveness of all three major Covid-19 vaccines. 

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:

• U.S. mandates vaccines or tests for big companies by Jan. 4.  
• Merck Covid-19 pill cleared for use in the U.K. 
• India’s home-grown Covid-19 shot wins W.H.O. emergency use approval. 
• San Francisco will soon require everyone 5 and older to show vaccination proof for restaurants, theaters, Warrior games. 
• Covid-19 boosters aren’t for everyone. 
• L.A. County to require proof of vaccination at indoor bars, nightclubs, etc starting today.  

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, M.D., infectious diseases physician and clinical instructor of medicine at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA.

Topics today include:

• CDC panel strongly endorses COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. 

  • L.A. County details plans for vaccinating kids 5 to 11. 
  • LAUSD will not require COVID-19 vaccines for kids 5 to 11. 
• Parents proving to be a tough sell on COVID-19 vaccines for teens. 
• L.A. County says these criteria need to be met before Covid mask mandate can be lifted. 
• Not all the unvaccinated are diehards, but the “wait and see” crowd is shrinking. 
• UCSF doctors call for state health officials to lift some school Covid requirements as vaccines for kids become available. 
• An unsolved mystery: Why do more men die of COVID-19? 
• Entire Bay Area is back in CDC’s orange and red tiers for Covid spread. 

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:

• What needs to happen before 5-to-11-year-olds can get the Pfizer vaccine. 
• Health care system plagued by new supply chain shortages.  
• How often do Covid vaccines cause heart problems in children? 
• How to travel safely as U.S. reopening approaches. 
• Who had Covid-19 vaccine breakthrough cases?  

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 from Huntington Hospital in Pasadena.

Today’s topics include:

• F.D.A. delays decision on Moderna coronavirus vaccine for adolescents to evaluate myocarditis risk, company says. 
• Unvaccinated teens in L.A. are more likely to test positive for coronavirus than adults. 
• Covid-19's global death toll tops 5 million. 
• After months of decline, coronavirus cases plateau in California. Can we avoid a new surge?
• Shanghai Disneyland tests 33K, closes for 2 days, after 1 person tests positive for Covid-19. 
• L.A. city vaccine mandate kicks in soon, spurring worry over extra work and confusion for businesses. 
• Federal contractors get broad flexibility to enforce Covid vaccine rules for millions of workers. 
• How climate change is contributing to skyrocketing rates of infectious diseases. 

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: 

• LA County prepares hundreds of sites to vaccinate 5-11 year-olds. 
• Children benefit from vaccinations even if they had COVID-19, experts say. 
• Childhood vaccinations lag globally due to the pandemic. 
• LA and California positivity rates rise after months of decline. 

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