COVID-19

In a story on Washington D.C. Fox 5 News, Dr. Morice reviewed the significance of reports that a COVID-19 vaccine was found to be more than 90% effective.

In a recent "Answers From the Lab" podcast, Aaron Tande, M.D., an infectious disease specialist and associate chair for outpatient practice in Mayo Clinic's Division of Infectious Diseases, explains the algorithm Mayo has developed to make sure patients receive the right test at the right time, so they can get the care they need as quickly as possible.

Top highlights include: how contact tracing has evolved, mentally surviving the imperfect storm that is 2020, keeping those at the highest risk of COVID-19 safe during the latest surge, and debunking COVID-19 myths.

Nahla Heikal, M.D., co-director of Mayo Clinic's Special Coagulation Laboratory, addresses the connection between COVID-19 and coagulopathy.

Top highlights include: pediatric inflammatory syndrome linked to COVID-19 also discovered in adults, CDC updates close contact guidelines, and what to know about this season's flu vaccine.

The in-depth article examines how the onset of flu season has the potential to further complicate testing challenges posed by COVID-19.

Top highlights include: facts about the flu vaccine, Halloween masks vs cloth masks, and safe Halloween activities during the pandemic.

Flu season is just now unfolding. But this time, it’s piggy-backed with a pandemic, which threatens to spike with the colder weather as people huddle indoors. Adding to this conundrum is the unsettling fact that, for both COVID-19 and the flu, the symptoms overlap.

Top highlights include: increased alcohol use during the pandemic, contract tracing slows the spread, FDA sets stricter standards for COVID-19 vaccine development, and Halloween safety tips during the pandemic.

The concept of at-home testing for COVID-19 sounds straightforward. But there's nuance to it that's important to understand. Right now, an at-home test for COVID-19 is not available, although there may be one coming soon. But in some areas, at-home sample collection is an option at this time.

When COVID-19 hit in early 2020, it brought a whirlwind of change. Staff in Mayo Clinic's Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology rose to the challenge with perseverance, flexibility, and resilience.

Dr. Pritt reviews how the timing and method of testing can affect the reliability of COVID-19 test results.

Dr. Pritt joins a group of testing experts to sort through the information and help clear up confusion about COVID-19 testing.