Understanding the Public Health Workforce’s COVID-19 Mental Health Challenges

The recently released Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), Symptoms of Depression, Anxiety, Post-traumatic Stress Disorder and Suicidal Ideation Among State, Tribal, Local and Territorial Public Health Workers During the COVID-19 Pandemic, and the Public Health Workforce Interests and Needs Survey (PH WINS) highlight the negative mental health consequences reported by the public health workforce as a result of the prolonged and ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the public health response and the unprecedented vaccination campaign. 

Health Worker Burnout

On May 23, United States Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy issued a new advisory, the Surgeon General’s Advisory Addressing Health Worker Burnout, highlighting the urgent need to address the health worker burnout crisis across the country. This advisory details recommendations that different stakeholders can take to prevent burnout, improve health worker well-being, and strengthen the Nation’s public health infrastructure.

​​COVID-19 Therapeutics Thr​esholds, Orders, and Replenishment by Jurisdiction

On April 25, 2022, the distribution process for COVID-19 therapeutics to state and territorial health departments transitioned from the previous allocation process to one that more closely aligns with the allocation and ordering process for vaccines. 

CDC Resources: Neurology

SCCM’s COVID-19 Rapid Resource Center now links to pertinent content from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). These resources are categorized as Neurology

NIH Resource: Drug-Drug Interactions Between Ritonavir-Boosted Nirmatrelvir (Paxlovid) and Concomitant Medications

Ritonavir, a strong cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 inhibitor and a P-glycoprotein inhibitor, is coadministered with nirmatrelvir to increase the blood concentration of nirmatrelvir, thereby making it effective against SARS-CoV-2. Ritonavir may also increase blood concentrations of certain concomitant medications. Because ritonavir-boosted nirmatrelvir (Paxlovid) is the only highly effective oral antiviral for the treatment of COVID-19, drug interactions that can be safely managed should not preclude the use of this medication.

FDA Updates Sotrovimab Emergency Use Authorization

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Nowcast data from April 5, 2022,  estimates that the proportion of COVID-19 cases caused by the Omicron BA.2 variant is above 50% in all Health and Human Services (HHS) U.S. regions. Data included in the health care provider fact sheet show the authorized dose of sotrovimab is unlikely to be effective against the BA.2 sub-variant. Due to these data, sotrovimab is not authorized in any U.S. state or territory at this time. 

New Paxlovid Dose Pack Author​ized by FDA

On April 14, 2022, the FDA revised the Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for the COVID-19 oral antiviral therapeutic Paxlovid to authorize an additional dose pack presentation with appropriate dosing for patients with moderate renal impairment within the scope of the EUA. As a result, Paxlovid will soon be available in two package presentations. 

NIH Resource: Study Looks for Long COVID Risk Factors 

In a study supported by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse, researchers enrolled 209 people ages 18 to 89 who had laboratory-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections. 

Post-ICU COVID-19 Clinics

Post-ICU COVID-19 clinics are newly established programs providing care for patients with post-intensive care syndrome (PICS) related to COVID-19. During this webcast, subject matter experts discussed how post-ICU COVID-19 clinics developed with an interdisciplinary model improve outcomes and support patients, family members, and transitions of care.

Characteristics of Post-ICU and Post-COVID Recovery Clinics in 29 U.S. Health Systems

From Critical Care Explorations The authors describe the structure and process characteristics of existing and newly implemented ICU-RCs and COVID-RCs in a subset of large health systems in the United States.