Contact Tracing Program In New Jersey City Offers Cost-Effective Model For COVID-19

Existing staff at a public health department can be trained to successfully conduct contact tracing, limiting the need to hire outside temporary staff, according to research presented at IDWeek 2020.

Experts in Infectious Diseases Team Up With Ad Council To Encourage People To Wear Face Masks In Public

“Mask Up, America,” a national campaign that encourages people to wear face masks in public to stem the ongoing spread of COVID-19 and help the nation get back to business, is being launched by the Infectious Diseases Society of America and the Ad Council.

Health Care Service Innovations Propelled by the Pandemic Offer Permanent Promise, Journal Papers Show

While posing potential and realized disruptions to a range of health services, the COVID-19 pandemic also drove the accelerated development of promising and responsive health service delivery innovations, two papers published this month in Clinical Infectious Diseases show.

“Herd Immunity” is Not an Answer to a Pandemic

Promoting the concept of “herd immunity” as framed in a recently circulated document as an answer to the COVID-19 pandemic is inappropriate, irresponsible and ill-informed. “Community immunity,” or “herd immunity,” a goal of vaccination campaigns, should never come at the cost of planned exposure to infection of millions of additional people

National Plan to Combat Antibiotic Resistance Demonstrates Commitment, Will Require Support

The National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic Resistant Bacteria, 2020-2025, released today by the Department of Health and Human Services builds on the first iteration of the plan with a One Health approach in critical areas.

IDSA Advocates for Closing ID Care Payment Gaps in 2021 Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program Proposed Rule

In a letter to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Infectious Diseases Society of America highlighted provisions in the agency’s 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program proposed rule affecting payments to infectious diseases physicians

Medical Societies Call for Treatment Approvals Based on Science

While the ongoing impacts of COVID-19 continue to highlight needs for new and proven tools to combat the spread and effects of this novel coronavirus, the development, evaluation and use of treatment strategies must be guided by science.

IDSA Joins Organizations in Urging Strengthened International Response to Pandemic

In a statement to the World Health Organization executive board Monday, the Infectious Diseases Society of America joined the global health community in calling on the international agency to ensure strong, collaborative and comprehensive efforts worldwide to control the spread of COVID-19 and its impacts.

Barbara Alexander, M.D., FIDSA, Named IDSA President

The Infectious Diseases Society of America is pleased to announce Barbara Alexander, M.D., FIDSA, as the society’s new president beginning Oct. 25. Dr. Alexander will be joined by dedicated, experienced board members as well as newly elected representatives who will lead IDSA’s commitment to promoting excellence in patient care, education, research, public health, and prevention relating to infectious diseases.

PASTEUR Act Will Build Antibiotic Arsenal, Protect Existing Medicines

The Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance (PASTEUR) Act, a bill introduced by Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Sen. Todd Young (R-IN) on Wednesday, will support the development of new antibiotics and promote appropriate use of existing ones, helping to limit the increase and spread of resistant infections.

IDSA Response to HHS COVID-19 Vaccine Distribution Strategy

From the Factory to the Frontlines, the strategy for distributing a COVID-19 vaccine released by the Department of Health and Human Services Thursday, reflects commitment to important approaches to controlling this pandemic.

FDA Action on CMV Diagnostics Represents Important Advance for Testing Access

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s order changing the classification for tests used to measure cytomegalovirus loads in transplant patients is an important step in improving and making more accessible a critical tool for patient care management.