What We’re Reading: FDA Authorizes Antibody Treatment; ND Attempts to Ease Stress on Hospitals; Fruit Consumption Among Children

Eli Lilly's Antibody Treatment Receives EUA

The FDA has issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) for Eli Lilly’s bamlanivimab, a monoclonal antibody that appears to protect high-risk people infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from getting very sick, USA Today reports. The treatment mimics the immune system’s response to infection with the virus that causes COVID-19. Bamlanivimab is indicated for patients who are 12 years of age and older with mild-to-moderate COVID-19, and who are at high risk of progressing to more severe forms of the disease or hospitalization. Clinical trials found the treatment reduces COVID-19-related hospitalization or emergency room visits in these patients within 28 days after treatment compared with placebo.

North Dakota Braces For COVID-19 Case Surges

In North Dakota, Republican Governor Doug Burgum stated health care workers who tested positive for COVID-19 but are asymptomatic should stay on the job in an effort to ease stress on hospitals and medical personnel in the state, the Associated Press reports. The state also plans to increase rapid testing of health care workers as it struggles to keep up with surging cases of COVID-19. Some hospitals in North Dakota will be suspending elective surgeries, as every county in the state has now been declared at high risk. Business will be limited to 25% capacity and the governor stressed masks should be required. Currently 254 patients with COVID-19 are being treated in medical facilities in the state, while there are 11 staffed intensive care beds and 203 staff independent beds left available across the whole state.

CDC Data Highlight Fruit, Vegetable Consumption Among Children

New CDC data show that between 2015 and 2018, around 25% of children did not eat any fruit on a given day. Data were gleaned from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and showed that the percentage of children who consumed fruit on any given day decreased with age. In addition, just over 90% of children and adolescents between the ages 2 and 19 consumed vegetables on a give day. The percentage of those who consumed fruit increased with income. Current dietary guidelines recommend consuming fruit and vegetables as consumption is associated with decreased risk of chronic diseases.