From apta.org

APTA Releases New Report on the Pandemic's Effect on the Physical Therapy Profession
APTA is monitoring the effects of the pandemic on the profession through member surveys. Our most recent was completed by a representative sample of PTs and PTAs between March 16 and April 5, 2021.

PTJ Study Finds Link Between Persistent Dyspnea, Physical Fitness After COVID-19
In a new study, researchers found that persistent dyspnea, along with muscle deconditioning, "can explain persistent symptoms 6 months after hospitalization for Covid-19 infection and suggests that a specific rehabilitation intervention is warranted."

From Fragility Fracture Network

FFN To Host Online Event on Hip Fracture During the COVID-19 Pandemic
On May 20, the Fragility Fracture Network will hold a free virtual regional meeting on "Hip Fractures: What Has COVID Taught Us?" Speakers will include APTA members Sarah Cooper, PT, DPT, a board-certified specialist in geriatric physical therapy, and Kathleen K. Mangione, PT, PhD, FAPTA.

From CDC

U.S. COVID-19 Cases, Death Rates Decreasing Nationwide
Total coronavirus cases have reached 32,771,733 as of May 17, according to the CDC COVID-19 Data Tracker. A total of 583,074 people have died from the virus so far, an increase of only 307 in the previous seven days. Nearly 60% of American adults have received at least one vaccination.

Revised Guidance: No Need for Masks for Fully Vaccinated Individuals
Unless required by state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules or regulations, individuals who have been fully vaccinated can safely resume prepandemic activities without mask wearing or social distancing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

SARS-CoV-2 May Be Transmitted From a Distance Farther Than Six Feet From a Source
In an updated scientific brief, CDC states that while infection at greater distances is less likely than at closer distances, it has occurred "under certain preventable circumstances," which include enclosed spaces with inadequate ventilation or air handling, increased exhalation due to physical exertion or raising one's voice, and exposure to these conditions for more than 15 minutes.

In the Media

Moderna, Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccines 94% Effective Among Health Care Workers
From Fox News: "A new study released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday is the latest to show real-world evidence of the effectiveness of the coronavirus vaccines that were developed with mRNA technology." 

COVID-19 "Long-Haulers" Push for 9/11-Style Registry
From Politico: "State and federal lawmakers, with the support of unions, are looking to survivor registries created after 9/11 as a model for helping potentially millions of people with often-debilitating long-term symptoms of Covid-19. The efforts would center on creating data troves that so-called 'long-haulers' could access to make informed decisions about their care, allow medical providers to study the coronavirus' still-mysterious long-term effects on the body, and help them qualify for state or federal benefits."

Researchers Fear "Long COVID" May Disproportionately Affect People of Color
From STAT News: "It's well-known now that people of color have shouldered a disproportionate burden in the Covid-19 pandemic. Now researchers and clinicians are increasingly concerned that history is repeating itself in the case of long Covid."

CDC Reviewing Higher COVID-19 Death Toll From Independent Group, Considering Revising Official Count: Walensky
From Medscape: "The analysis by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation pegs the global death toll at nearly 6.9 million and the U.S. count at more than 900,000. The CDC on Wednesday put its latest official estimate at 575,491 deaths in the United States due to the novel coronavirus."

CDC Finds More Clotting Cases After J&J Vaccine, Sees Causal Link
From Reuters: "The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Wednesday it had found more cases of potentially life-threatening blood clotting among people who received the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine and sees a 'plausible causal association.' The CDC said in a presentation the agency has now identified 28 cases of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) among the more than 8.7 million people who had received the J&J vaccine."

New in Research

Non-hospitalized COVID-19 Patients Have Low Risk of Serious Long-term Effects
In a study published The Lancet, researchers examined prescription drug use and health care utilization in patients who were never hospitalized when they were infected with the coronavirus. Authors found that the risk of severe post-acute complications in this population is low, but an increase in physician or outpatient hospital visits could indicate COVID-19 sequelae such as dyspnea and venous thromboembolism.