The patient reported a history of visiting a local fresh market in Wuhan on a regular basis prior to the onset of illness; however, she did not report visiting the Huanan South China Seafood Market from where most of the novel #coronavirus (2019-nCoV) cases were detected pic.twitter.com/XUMG8F4uyV
— World Health Organization (WHO) (@WHO) January 14, 2020
Health
17 more cases of a mysterious and deadly virus have been detected in China
Foto: NOEL CELIS/AFP via Getty Images
A woman leaves the Wuhan Medical Treatment Centre, where a man who died from a respiratory illness was confined, in the city of Wuhan, Hubei province, on January 12, 2020.
- Authorities in Wuhan, central China, have identified 17 more patients of a deadly new strain of pneumonia, according to Reuters.
- Official totals now count 62 patients who have been infected with 2019-nCov, and two who have died.
- Some doubt has been cast on the official totals however, as the World Health Organization told Reuters that more cases could be detected as Chinese health authorities ramp up screenings.
- Visit Business Insider’s home page for more stories.
Seventeen more people in China have been struck with a deadly virus, according to Reuters.
The central China city of Wuhan’s health commission told the outlet that the total number of known patients in the outbreak of the new, viral strain of pneumonia is now counted at 62.
The city’s public health officials previously confirmed that 45 people were infected with 2019-nCov and two had died.
Business Insider previously reported that analysis from Imperial College London indicated that the actual number of infected patients as of January 12 was likely more in the region of 1,723, which is around 35 times the 45 cases that were announced by the city’s authorities.
The study said it reached that figure through statistical projection to forecast the spread of the virus from the point of origin at a Wuhan seafood market.
Two people have also been diagnosed in Thailand, and one case of the virus was reported in Japan. All three of those patients had traveled through Wuhan, Reuters reported.
The new and international cases of the virus cast doubt on the seafood market as the point of origin, the World Health Organization tweeted last week, and the organization told Reuters that increased screening could find new cases.
The outbreak comes just ahead of the city’s planned celebrations for the Lunar New Year, and authorities told Reuters they were stepping up plans to contain the virus as many people are expected to travel for the holiday.
The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention announced last week that it would begin airport screenings with additional staffers at San Francisco International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.
Health
Tips for shopping for Medicare Advantage plans
Shopping season for Medicare coverage is about to begin. With it comes the annual onslaught of TV ads and choices to consider.
People eligible for the federal government’s Medicare program will have from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7 to sign up for 2025 Medicare Advantage plans, which are privately run versions of the program. They also can add a prescription drug plan to traditional Medicare coverage.
Many people on Medicare Advantage plans will probably have to find new coverage as major insurers cut costs and pull back from markets. Industry experts also predict some price increases for Medicare prescription drug plans.
Shoppers often have dozens of options during this sign-up period. Here are some things to consider.
Don’t put off shopping for Medicare coverage
Start thinking about next year’s coverage before the annual enrollment window begins. Insurers will usually preview their offerings or let customers know about any big changes. That makes anything arriving in the mail from your insurer important to read.
Insurance agents say many people wait until after Thanksgiving to decide coverage plans for the new year. That could be a mistake this year: The holiday falls on Nov. 28, leaving slightly more than a week to decide before the enrollment window closes.
Look beyond the premium
Many Medicare Advantage plans promote a $0 premium. That may sound attractive, but price is only one variable to consider.
Shoppers should look at whether their doctors are in the plan’s coverage network and how prescriptions would be covered. They also should know the maximum amount under the plan that they’d have to pay if a serious health issue emerges.
Plans offer many supplemental benefits, including help paying food or utility bills. Don’t let those distract from understanding the core coverage, said Danielle Roberts, co-founder of the Fort Worth, Texas, insurance agency Boomer Benefits.
“Remember that we buy health insurance for the big things, not the frills,” she said.
How to get help shopping for plans
The federal government operates a plan finder that lets people compare options. The State Health Insurance Assistance Program can be another resource. Insurance brokers or agents also guide customers through searches.
Sometimes a plan’s coverage doesn’t work as expected. If that happens, there’s another enrollment window in the first three-months of each year where some shoppers may be able to make a change.
___
The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Health
The US is mailing Americans COVID tests again. Here’s how to get them
WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans can once again order COVID-19 tests, without being charged, sent straight to their homes.
The U.S. government reopened the program on Thursday, allowing any household to order up to four at-home COVID nasal swab kits through the website, covidtests.gov. The tests will begin shipping, via the United States Postal Service, as soon as next week.
The website has been reopened on the heels of a summer COVID-19 virus wave and heading into the fall and winter respiratory virus season, with health officials urging Americans to get an updated COVID-19 booster and their yearly flu shot.
“Before you visit with your family and friends this holiday season, take a quick test and help keep them safe from COVID-19,” U.S. Health and Human Services Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Dawn O’Connell said in a statement.
U.S. regulators approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine that is designed to combat the recent virus strains and, they hope, forthcoming winter ones, too. Vaccine uptake is waning, however. Most Americans have some immunity from prior infections or vaccinations, but under a quarter of U.S. adults took last fall’s COVID-19 shot.
Using the swab, people can detect current virus strains ahead of the fall and winter respiratory virus season and the holidays. Over-the-counter COVID-19 at-home tests typically cost around $11, as of last year. Insurers are no longer required to cover the cost of the tests.
Before using any existing at-home COVID-19 tests, you should check the expiration date. Many of the tests have been given an extended expiration from the date listed on the box. You can check on the Food and Drug Administration’s website to see if that’s the case for any of your remaining tests at home.
Since COVID-19 first began its spread in 2020, U.S. taxpayers have poured billions of dollars into developing and purchasing COVID-19 tests as well as vaccines. The Biden administration has given out 1.8 billion COVID-19 tests, including half distributed to households by mail. It’s unclear how many tests the government still has on hand.
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Health
Free COVID tests are back. Here’s how to order a test to your home
WASHINGTON (AP) — Americans can once again order free COVID-19 tests sent straight to their homes.
The U.S. government reopened the program on Thursday, allowing any household to order up to four at-home COVID nasal swab kits through the website, covidtests.gov. The tests will begin shipping, via the United States Postal Service, as soon as next week.
The website has been reopened on the heels of a summer COVID-19 virus wave and heading into the fall and winter respiratory virus season, with health officials urging Americans to get an updated COVID-19 booster and their yearly flu shot.
U.S. regulators approved an updated COVID-19 vaccine that is designed to combat the recent virus strains and, they hope, forthcoming winter ones, too. Vaccine uptake is waning, however. Most Americans have some immunity from prior infections or vaccinations, but under a quarter of U.S. adults took last fall’s COVID-19 shot.
Using the swab, people can detect current virus strains ahead of the fall and winter respiratory virus season and the holidays. Over-the-counter COVID-19 at-home tests typically cost around $11, as of last year. Insurers are no longer required to cover the cost of the tests.
Since COVID-19 first began its spread in 2020, U.S. taxpayers have poured billions of dollars into developing and purchasing COVID-19 tests as well as vaccines. The Biden administration has given out 1.8 billion COVID-19 tests, including half distributed to households by mail. It’s unclear how many tests the government still has on hand.
The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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