Even at the beginning of April, large percentages of residents at U.S. homeless shelters were testing positive for the new coronavirus, studies show. One study looked at the results of coronavirus testing conducted at homeless shelters in four American cities — Atlanta, Boston, San Francisco and Seattle. Testing included almost 1,200 residents and 300 staffers…  read on >

Contact lens users may be at increased risk for coronavirus infection, so they need to be extra careful, an eye expert says. “There are no confirmed cases of COVID-19 transmission by handling of contact lenses,” said David Chu, assistant professor of ophthalmology at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, in Newark. “However, since contact lenses can…  read on >

(HealthDay News) — All immigration to the United States will be stopped to protect Americans during the coronavirus pandemic, President Donald Trump announced late Monday night, as the country’s COVID-19 death toll topped 42,000. “In light of the attack from the Invisible Enemy, as well as the need to protect the jobs of our GREAT…  read on >

One of the few bright spots in the COVID-19 pandemic has been the perception that children are mostly spared from its worst effects. But what about kids already at risk of contracting serious infections due to a compromised immune system? Do they have the same protection? “One group we always worry about when it comes…  read on >

,With widespread testing still not a reality, a new phone app aims to help epidemiologists track COVID-19 symptoms across the United States in real time. Called the “COVID Symptom Tracker,” the nonprofit app has a number of objectives. One is to quickly identify hotspots that could benefit from a rapid deployment of medical supplies or…  read on >

Having your baby in a hospital is the still the safest choice, even during the coronavirus pandemic, updated guidelines from a leading pediatricians’ group say. “We recognize that women have different reasons for planning a home delivery, such as cultural or religious beliefs — and right now, concerns over the coronavirus pandemic,” guideline author Dr.…  read on >

The lifesaving benefits of strict social distancing rules during the coronavirus pandemic far outweigh their projected harm to the U.S. economy, a new report claims. “Our benefit-cost analysis shows that the extensive social distancing measures being adopted in the U.S. likely do not constitute an overreaction,” said lead author Linda Thunstrom, an assistant professor of…  read on >

The virus struck swiftly, stoking panic, fear and mistrust as it sickened millions and killed thousands — and now, more than a century later, the 1918 Spanish flu pandemic offers lasting lessons for a world in the grip of COVID-19. “The questions they asked then are the questions being asked now,” said Christopher Nichols, an…  read on >