MARILYNN MARCHIONE

A pharmacist draws saline while preparing a dose of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine in Sacramento, California, January 12, 2021.(AP Photo/Noah Berger, Pool)

January 19, 2021, 8:53 am

A new COVID-19 challenge: Mutations rise along with cases

Each new infection gives the virus a chance to mutate as it makes copies of itself, threatening to undo the progress made so far to control the pandemic

By MARILYNN MARCHIONE

Christmas shoppers in Oxford city centre England, Sunday Dec. 20, 2020. Millions of people in England have learned they must cancel their Christmas get-togethers and holiday shopping trips. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said Saturday that holiday gatherings can’t go ahead and non-essential shops must close in London and much of southern England. (Steve Parsons/PA via AP)

December 21, 2020, 3:01 am

How worried do we need to be about new coronavirus strains?

As a new, highly infectious strain sweeps across the UK, experts say that at this stage it’s unlikely it will undermine the vaccines

By MARILYNN MARCHIONE

This undated file photo issued by the University of Oxford on November 23, 2020, shows of vial of coronavirus vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford (John Cairns/University of Oxford via AP, File)

December 8, 2020, 9:25 pm

Trial results show AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine 70% effective

But questions remain about ability to protect those over 55; health officials around the world hope to rely on shot because of its low cost, availability and ease of use

By MARILYNN MARCHIONE

A patient is transported outside of Tisch Hospital in New York on November 13, 2020 (Kena Betancur / AFP)

November 22, 2020, 5:04 am

US regulator gives emergency approval to antibody drug used on Trump

FDA allows use of experimental Regeneron treatment for COVID-19 patients at high risk of developing severe illness

By MARILYNN MARCHIONE

Illustrative: In this undated image from video provided by Regeneron Pharmaceuticals on Friday, October 2, 2020, scientists work with a bioreactor at a company facility in New York state, for efforts on an experimental coronavirus antibody drug. (Regeneron via AP)

October 30, 2020, 7:45 pm

Study testing COVID antibody drug used to treat Trump halted for some patients

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals says it will stop enrolling seriously ill patients, who need intense oxygen treatment or breathing machines, in trial over safety concerns

By MARILYNN MARCHIONE

Rubber stoppers are placed onto filled vials of the drug remdesivir at a Gilead manufacturing site in the United States, March 2020. (Gilead Sciences via AP)

October 23, 2020, 6:46 am

FDA approves first COVID-19 drug: antiviral remdesivir

Medicine found to cut recovery time by five days on average, but no studies have shown it improves chances of surviving the coronavirus

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US President Donald Trump walks out of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center to return to the White House after receiving treatments for covid-19, Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, in Bethesda, Md. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

October 8, 2020, 3:02 am

Ethicists say Trump special treatment raises fairness issues

US resident given rare access to experimental drug; questions also raised as to quality of treatment, with many details on his condition withheld from public

By MARILYNN MARCHIONE

October 3, 2020, 3:51 am

Trump gets experimental drug aimed at curbing severe illness

Antibody cocktail is in late-stage testing and its safety and effectiveness are not yet known, but maker Regeneron says it might reduce the period symptoms last

By MARILYNN MARCHIONE

In this September 29, 2020, file photo, US President Donald Trump holds out his face mask during the first presidential debate at Case Western University and Cleveland Clinic, in Cleveland, Ohio. (AP/Julio Cortez, File)

October 2, 2020, 9:19 pm

Trump’s age, health woes raise his risk level in COVID-19 illness

At 74, president’s age would be the primary risk factor, says infectious disease expert; Trump’s also obese, with a BMI over 30, which lowers immunity to virus

By MARILYNN MARCHIONE

A lab technician prepares chemicals to process COVID-19 tests in Argenteuil, near Paris, Sept. 25, 2020. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

September 27, 2020, 8:18 pm

Million who died of COVID-19 also illuminated treatment

Many more deaths expected as infections surge in US and elsewhere, but there are signs death rate is declining, partially due to hard-fought medical advances

By MARILYNN MARCHIONE

Illustrative: A COVID-19 patient lies face down as a nurse prepares an injection in the ICU of the National Hospital in Itagua, Paraguay, September 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Jorge Saenz)

September 16, 2020, 6:43 pm

Study suggests antibody drug may cut COVID-19 hospitalizations

While tests of drug fell short of main goals, Eli Lilly says results hinting fewer people with virus may need to be hospitalized are an encouraging ‘proof of principle’

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In this image from video provided by Washington University, researcher Nicolas Barthelemy works on a p-tau217 test for Alzheimer's disease at a laboratory in St. Louis, Missouri on July 27, 2020. (Huy Mach/Washington University, St. Louis via AP)

July 30, 2020, 9:09 am

Scientists get closer to blood test for Alzheimer’s disease

Testing identifies people with disease with accuracy ranging from 89% to 98%, but scientists warn new approach still needs more validation

By MARILYNN MARCHIONE

A health worker draws blood from a patient for a COVID-19 antibody test at the Volusia County Fairgrounds in DeLand, Florida, on May 5, 2020. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

July 23, 2020, 5:42 am

Coronavirus antibodies fade fast, but protection may last longer

Initial research shows blood cells remember how to efficiently make new antibodies in case of reinfection, meaning someone can have immunity even without antibodies

By MARILYNN MARCHIONE

In this photo taken on May 2, 2020, doctors work inside the intensive care unit for people infected with the new coronavirus, at a hospital in Moscow, Russia. (AP Photo/Sophia Sandurskaya)

July 8, 2020, 10:18 am

‘Desperation science’ slows the hunt for coronavirus medicine

Ironically, attempts to fast-track research on COVID-19 drugs have led to a slew of low-quality studies that add to confusion. And statements by politicians aren’t helping either

By MARILYNN MARCHIONE

George Floyd. (Christopher Harris via AP)

June 5, 2020, 6:42 am

Experts say Floyd’s health issues don’t affect homicide ruling

Autopsy report on George Floyd finds severe heart disease, drugs in system, which would have made reaction to stress more severe, but not caused death, medical reviewers say

By MARILYNN MARCHIONE