Top in ID: COVID-19 tests free once again; spacecraft researching HIV drug denied reentry
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The U.S. government is offering its fifth round of free at-home tests for COVID-19, with four tests per household available at COVIDTests.gov as of Monday, Sept. 25.
The tests, which can detect SARS-CoV-2 variants currently circulating, come as the most recent CDC data reflected a 7.7% increase in COVID-19-related hospitalizations in the U.S. from Sept. 3 to 9.
It was the top story in infectious disease last week.
In another top story, U.S. agencies denied a request for reentry from the first-ever private spacecraft used for pharmaceutical research.
Read these and more top stories in infectious disease below:
US relaunches program providing free at-home COVID-19 tests
Free at-home COVID-19 tests are available for mail order again in the United States. Read more.
Spacecraft experimenting with HIV drug denied reentry to US
A spacecraft being used to manufacture a crystalized version of the HIV drug ritonavir in low Earth orbit has been denied reentry and permission to land in the United States, Healio confirmed. Read more.
Face shields are protective but should be paired with other PPE
When worn by health care personnel, a face shield was effective at reducing exposure to aerosol particles containing virus from a simulated coughing machine, researchers reported. Read more.
Fewer adults hospitalized with COVID-19 had critical outcomes as pandemic progressed
Adults hospitalized with COVID-19 were less likely to experience critical outcomes such as ICU admission, respiratory failure or death during later periods of the pandemic, researchers found. Read more.
Rifampin improves treatment for S. aureus native vertebral osteomyelitis
Rifampin-based regimens for treating Staphylococcus aureus native vertebral osteomyelitis were associated with lower risk of clinical failure, according to a study published in Clinical Infectious Diseases. Read more.