A judge ruled that 16,000 lawsuits against Johnson & Johnson could proceed. The ruling also limits what testimony can be presented. The plaintiffs can present testimony that talc could be contaminated with asbestos, but not that talc causes cancer. (Reuters)
A study of Regeneron and Sanofi’s arthritis drug shows it may only help the sickest COVID-19 patients. The drug, Kevzara, showed benefits in patients considered critically ill from the virus, but did not help patients deemed “severely ill.” (Reuters)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated common COVID-19 symptoms. The CDC added six more symptoms to the list: chills, repeated shaking with chills, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and new loss of taste or smell. Previously the agency only listed three symptoms: fever, cough and shortness of breath. (The New York Times)
Many states are still short of the testing levels needed to ease stay home restrictions. More than half of states are not performing enough COVID-19 tests to catch the illness before it spreads. Some states have already reopened beaches and businesses, but are still behind on testing. (STAT)
Health insurers benefit from the drop in elective surgery and delayed routine visits. Healthcare spending declines have more than offset the added costs of COVID-19 care, insurance executives said. (Reuters)
