COVID-19

In this episode, Dr. Pritt and Dr. Morice discuss the science behind the increasing COVID-19 infections, why individuals can get reinfected with different variants, and the effectiveness of the at-home antigen tests.

William Morice II, M.D., Ph.D., chair of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology at Mayo Clinic and president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories, joins "Answers From the Lab" for his weekly leadership update with podcast host Bobbi Pritt, M.D. In this episode, Dr. Pritt and Dr. Morice discuss advances in monkeypox testing, working with the CDC to scale testing and response efforts, the fast-spreading BA.5 variant of COVID-19, and how at-home testing affects the number of reported cases.

Diagnostic tests are a critical part of America’s health infrastructure and helping people live healthier lives. But in a recent op-ed published on RealClearPolicy, William Morice II, M.D., president of Mayo Clinic Laboratories and Matt Sause, president and CEO of Roche Diagnostics North America, explain how the well-intended Protecting Access to Medicare Act of 2014 (PAMA) puts vital diagnostic tests at risk.

Mayo Clinic Laboratories' rapid response to public health threats has been honed during outbreaks of viruses like 2009’s H1N1 influenza, Zika, Ebola and, most recently, COVID-19. Before COVID-19, laboratory staff were already experts in developing and implementing new tests — but never on such an aggressive timeline.

Today's highlights include: Spread of monkeypox underscores need for physicians to be ready to understand, Pfizer completes application to FDA for vaccine for children under 5, and connect is key to supporting multiple sclerosis patients.

Dr. Morice talks about what lies ahead for laboratory medicine and how the opportunities and challenges in the field are intertwined.

Topics include: Community leaders are key to reaching people underrepresented in research.

Today's highlights include: Long COVID affects more older adults, US has a new dominant COVID-19 strain, and Gianrico Farrugia explains how we can transform healthcare by moving from pipeline to platform.

Topics include: COVID-19 update, tips for navigating a return to work with long COVID, and COVID-19 booster vaccinations extended to kids 5-11.

Today's highlights include: US at risk of COVID-19 drug shortages this summer, Rochester startup Vyriad developing cancer-fighting viruses, and CDC expresses concern about possibility of undetected monkeypox spread in U.K.

Today's highlights include: Pandemic gets tougher to track as COVID testing plunges, Rochester hospitals score top grades in safety, and Mayo Clinic breaks ground on $155M Minnesota hospital expansion.

Topics include: Hepatitis in children: What parents need to know, and FDA limits use of J&J COVID-19 vaccine.

Today's highlights include: Mental health needs rise as pandemic fluctuates, an algorithm that analyzes apple watch data shows early promise in detecting heart problems, and Minnesota physicians brace for Roe v. Wade decision