Science

Detail of hospital resource demand modeling for Washington State

'Glimmer of Hope': When Can We Say Social Distancing Is Working?

6:46pm March 26, 2020

by Martin Kaste

Governors in New York and Washington have pointed to early signs that the increase of new coronavirus cases is flattening. How to look up — and interpret — the progress in your state.

The Coronavirus Is Mutating Relatively Slowly, Which May Be Good News

6:14pm March 26, 2020

by Pien Huang

As a virus makes copies of itself, errors may creep in, changing its genetic makeup. Researchers are trying to determine if the changes are significant in the new coronavirus.

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Dr. Deborah Birx, who coordinates the White House Coronavirus Task Force, criticized a test "where 50% or 47% are false positives" at a briefing on March 17.

In Defense Of Coronavirus Testing Strategy, Administration Cited Retracted Study

5:55pm March 26, 2020

by Richard Harris

When pressed on why the U.S. didn't import coronavirus tests after the CDC's effort ran into trouble, government officials drew on a study that had been retracted.

Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, headquartered near Tarrytown, N.Y., is just one of the companies now working to identify and reproduce large quantities of antibodies that could prevent or treat COVID-19. Senior R&D Specialist Kristen Pascal works on COVID-19 r

How Monoclonal Antibodies Might Prove Useful Against The Coronavirus

5:35pm March 26, 2020

by Joe Palca

A treatment strategy that identifies particularly potent immune system proteins, then gins up mass quantities for a single dose might help prevent infections or quell symptoms, scientists say.

Behind The Race To Develop Antibody-Based Treatments For COVID-19

4:59pm March 26, 2020

by Joe Palca

Several teams are racing to develop therapies for COVID-19 based on antibodies, the components of immune systems that can be collected from the blood of patients who have survived the disease.

President Trump's letter to U.S. governors about the coronavirus.

READ: President Trump's Letter To Governors On New Coronavirus Guidelines

4:33pm March 26, 2020

by NPR Staff

Trump said his administration is working on new guidelines for governments to use when making decisions on relaxing or increasing coronavirus measures.

Science

Hidden Brain: How Trust May Help To Limit A Disease Outbreak

7:31am March 26, 2020

by Shankar Vedantam

What helps to contain an epidemic? A study of the Ebola crisis suggests that patients' trust in health workers can encourage patients to report illnesses and receive treatment.

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Why The Coronavirus Outbreak Has Hit New York City Especially Hard

10:03pm March 25, 2020

NPR national and science correspondents answer listener questions about why the coronavirus outbreak has been especially bad in New York City and the surrounding region.

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After the Food and Drug Administration granted Gilead Sciences orphan drug status for its experimental drug remdesivir on Tuesday, Gilead asked that the agency rescind that status Wednesday.

Gilead Declines 'Rare Disease' Status For Experimental Coronavirus Drug

7:30pm March 25, 2020

by Sydney Lupkin

By renouncing the special status, Gilead Sciences lets go of tax breaks, fee waivers and seven years without generic competition for remdesivir, its experimental COVID-19 treatment.

President Trump takes questions from reporters Monday. Joining him at the press briefing on coronavirus are Vice President Pence; Attorney General William Barr; Dr. Deborah Birx, White House coronavirus response coordinator; and Navy Rear Adm. John Polowc

As The Coronavirus Crisis Heats Up, Why Isn't America Hearing From The CDC?

6:00pm March 25, 2020

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

Usually in health emergencies — HIV, vaping and more — the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is key to shaping policy and explaining it. That's changing to America's detriment, leaders say.