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Support for this podcast is made possible by Gordon and Dona Crawford, who believe that quality journalism makes Los Angeles a better place to live. This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Sam Torbati, co-chair of the department of emergency medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Topics today include:

• White House Covid response coordinator: Americans over 60 should get second booster.
• With the rise in at-home testing, are we undercounting COVID-19 cases even more than before?
• COVID hospitalizations fall to 213 in L.A. County.
• California will not require COVID vaccines for children this fall.
• BA.2 is spreading in the U.S. but people are over it.
• FDA authorizes first breath test to detect coronavirus.

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Dean Blumberg, professor of medicine and chief of Pediatric Infectious Diseases at UC Davis Children’s Hospital.

Topics today include:

• Experts say the U.S. is likely “dramatically undercounting” current COVID cases as states scale back regular reporting.

  • Coronavirus cases on the rise in L.A. County, prompting concerns for spring break.
• What we know about the Omicron XE subvariant in California.
• California removes quarantine requirement for asymptomatic people exposed to COVID.
• Pfizer says its booster raises antibodies against Omicron in kids 5-11.
• C.D.C. extends mask mandate on planes, trains until May 3.
• The city of Philadelphia will reinstate its indoor mask mandate.

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Kimberly Shriner, director of Infectious Disease and Prevention at Huntington Hospital in Pasadena.

Topics today include:

• Fauci: Assess your personal risk amid uptick in COVID-19 cases; says recent increase is concerning but not surprising.
• Georgetown, Johns Hopkins universities temporarily restore some COVID measures as cases among students rise.
• The next COVID vaccine could be a nasal spray.
• New research finds COVID vaccines, combined with infection, can lead to months of immunity.
• NYT: Why a coronavirus-flu “twindemic” may never happen.

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Kristen R. Choi, professor of nursing and public health at UCLA.

Topics today include:

• LAist: Without Masks, More LA Students Test Positive As School Outbreaks Triple.
• How can someone be exposed to COVID-19 but not contract it?
• UC San Diego selected as a new clinical trial site for variant-specific vaccines.
• Could COVID-19 vaccines cause hearing issues?
• Those who contract COVID-19 more likely to develop diabetes.
• Could suspension of COVID-19 aid abroad extend the pandemic?

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Sam Torbati, co-chair of the department of emergency medicine at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center.

Topics today include:

• Is it COVID or allergies?

  • Colds and flu make a comeback after pandemic downturn.
• WHO says global COVID cases are trending down, but they’re watching new Omicron subvariant.
• F.D.A. advisors debate how to update current COVID vaccines.
• L.A. County expands test-to-treat services and adds a tele-health option.
• What endemic disease looks like.
• CDC lowers travel warning for Canada and many other destinations.
• The debate over long COVID in kids.

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Arthur Reingold, professor of epidemiology and Head of the Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at UC Berkeley’s School of Public Health.

Topics today include:

• Israeli study finds second booster offered short-term protection against Omicron.

• Cases rise in San Diego and San Francisco.

  • Why haven’t cases risen throughout the United States?
• CA lifts its proof of vaccination for indoor mega events.
• United Kingdom detects omicron XE, a new variant.
• Risk management for immunocompromised people.
• COVID-19 concerns dropping in the United States.
• Recent clinical studies could lead to vaccines that are easier to store.
• NYT: FDA suspends Glaxo’s antibody drug.
• President Biden’s global COVID-19 summit postponed.

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Shruti Gohil, professor of medicine and associate medical director for epidemiology and infection prevention at UC Irvine’s School of Medicine.

Topics today include:

• What’s next for COVID-19 vaccines?
• What we know about the BA.2 variant so far.
• Those enrolled in Medicare to have free access to COVID-19 tests at drug stores.
• Following criticism, CDC hires independent evaluator in hopes of improving the department.

This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.