In the past six weeks, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts recorded more than half a million telehealth visits with patients. Before COVID-19, the average number of telehealth visits over a six-week period was 5,000. That shift to virtual medical treatment during the coronavirus pandemic will likely create permanent changes to health care delivery, according to the insurer.
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (KUTV) — Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) wants to give America's essential workers a $12 per hour bonus during May, June, and July. Called "Patriot Pay," the bill would "help compensate" essential workers who are at greater risk of getting COVID-19.
Pharmaceutical and diagnostic company Roche said Sunday that its coronavirus antibody test was granted emergency authorization by the Food and Drug Administration, and that it can churn out over 100 million of the kits by the end of this year, as governments search for ways to safely reopen communities and let people go back to work.
Former FDA Commissioner Scott Gottlieb warned on Sunday that if states allow schools, workplaces and other public areas to "let their guard down," an explosion of new coronavirus cases could bubble up into a "new epidemic" or "large outbreak."
The US recorded its deadliest day during the coronavirus pandemic on Friday, according to new data released by the World Health Organization. The data shows that on May 1, the country saw a total of 2,909 total coronavirus-related deaths in 24 hours. The figure comes as about half of US states have started easing their lockdown restrictions and others have announced plans to do so. Protesters in dozens of states have continued to demand the reopening of the economy in the last few days.