Massachusetts Ranks 1st In Health Care Performance, New National Report Says Massachusetts Ranks 1st In Health Care Performance, New National Report Says
Massachusetts Ranks 1st In Health Care Performance, New National Report Says A new report found that every state nationwide is experiencing a "stunning" rise in avoidable, premature deaths, but despite this, the Bay State is topping the charts in overall health care performance.   Massachusetts received the best overall score out of any state, ranking high in categories including reproductive care and women's health, health care access, and health outcomes, according to the Commonwealth Fund's annual scorecard measuring state health system performance. The report focuses on three main challenges states are facing in terms of health care, including a "histo…
Gould's Distinctive Clothing In Acton Closing After 89 Years Of 'Knowledgeable' Service Gould's Distinctive Clothing In Acton Closing After 89 Years Of 'Knowledgeable' Service
Gould's Distinctive Clothing In Acton Closing After 89 Years Of 'Knowledgeable' Service A men's and women's speciality clothing store that has been around for 89 years, 50 of which were in Acton, is closing forever. Gould's Distinctive Clothing, located in Gould's Plaza, is selling the last of their inventory after the store announced they would be closing for good on Wednesday, May 31. WBZ NewsRadio's Kim Tunnicliffe said staffing issues after the pandemic forced the business to close.  Everything must go at #GouldsDistinctiveClothing in #Acton. Post Covid staffing issues are forcing the store to close after 89 years in business they’re even selling the clothing racks and…
COVID-19: 12 Symptoms Of Long COVID Revealed In New Study COVID-19: 12 Symptoms Of Long COVID Revealed In New Study
Covid-19: 12 Symptoms Of Long COVID Revealed In New Study A new study funded by the  National Institutes of Health is shedding light on one of the more complex aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic. So-called Long COVID is the term used for those who experience effects from their infection for months or more. The findings, released in the medical journal JAMA on Thursday, May 25, also identify 12 symptoms of Long COVID: Post-exertional malaise ( fatigue that worsens after physical or mental activity) Fatigue Dizziness Brain fog Loss of smell or taste Gastrointestinal symptoms Heart palpitations Thirst Chronic cough Chest pain Issues with se…
COVID-19: Owner Of NY Theme Park, Restaurant Admits Stealing $3.2M In Federal Aid COVID-19: Owner Of NY Theme Park, Restaurant Admits Stealing $3.2M In Federal Aid
Covid-19: Owner Of NY Theme Park, Restaurant Admits Stealing $3.2M In Federal Aid A man who owns a theme park and restaurant in New York has admitted to stealing over $3 million through federal COVID-19 aid with some of those funds used to buy a home on Nantucket. Long Island resident Donald Finley, age 61, of Roslyn, the owner of Jekyll & Hyde Restaurant in Manhattan and the Bayville Adventure Park in Nassau County, pleaded guilty to disaster relief fraud and wire fraud on Thursday, May 25. As stated in court filings by the US Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Breon Peace: Between March 2020 and March 2021, amid the COVID pandemic, Finley fra…
COVID-19: Do Not Use These At-Home Tests Due To Bacteria Concerns, FDA Says COVID-19: Do Not Use These At-Home Tests Due To Bacteria Concerns, FDA Says
Covid-19: Do Not Use These At-Home Tests Due To Bacteria Concerns, FDA Says Americans have been advised by federal officials not to use a brand of COVID-19 at-home tests that could have potentially harmful bacteria inside the kits. SD Biosensor, Inc. announced on Friday, May 5, that the company is requesting that consumers stop using “Pilot COVID-19 At-Home Tests” due to contaminants found in the tube with liquid inside, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Related story - COVID-19: These Pair Of Symptoms Distinguish Arcturus From Other Omicron Subvariants The affected tests can be identified by the lot number on the outer packaging (see below…
COVID-19: These Pair Of Symptoms Distinguish Arcturus From Other Omicron Subvariants COVID-19: These Pair Of Symptoms Distinguish Arcturus From Other Omicron Subvariants
Covid-19: These Pair Of Symptoms Distinguish Arcturus From Other Omicron Subvariants Two symptoms of a new highly contagious COVID-19 strain are distinguishing it from other Omicron subvariants. Arcturus, officially known as XBB.1.16, was labeled "a variant of interest" by the World Health Organization late last month. Arcturus now accounts for 12.5 percent of cases in the US, according to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) variant tracker. XBB.1.16 spreads about 1.20 times more than another Omicron subvariant known as Kraken (XBB.1.5), according to a study by the University of Tokyo.  Kraken now accounts for about 65 percent of US cases…
These Mass Hospitals Rank Best In Patient Safety - But National Infection Rates Stay High These Mass Hospitals Rank Best In Patient Safety - But National Infection Rates Stay High
These Mass Hospitals Rank Best In Patient Safety - But National Infection Rates Stay High A national nonprofit health care watchdog scored US hospitals on measures that include rates of dangerous objects left in patients' bodies, death from treatable serious complications, and infections after surgery. Massachusetts was ranked the 10th best state for patient safety nationally, according to the newest Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grades report, released on Wednesday, May 3, that scores nearly 3,000 American general acute-care hospitals. The new report also revealed that rates of deadly healthcare-related infections have stayed high since peaking during the COVID-19 pandemic.  “T…
COVID-19: ‘Arcturus' Now Labeled A 'Variant Of Interest'; Here Are Symptoms COVID-19: ‘Arcturus' Now Labeled A 'Variant Of Interest'; Here Are Symptoms
Covid-19: ‘Arcturus' Now Labeled A 'Variant Of Interest'; Here Are Symptoms A new highly contagious COVID-19 variant that evolved from the Omicron strain has now been labeled "a variant of interest" by the World Health Organization. Arcturus, officially known as XBB.1.16, accounts for 14.6 percent of cases in the US, according to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) variant tracker. After first being detected in New York in January, cases of XBB.1.16 have now been reported in 33 countries, according to the WHO, as well as 31 states in America. The highest number of Arcturus cases in the US have been reported in New York, New Jersey, and…
COVID-19: New ‘Arcturus' Variant Causing Symptom Not Typically Seen COVID-19: New ‘Arcturus' Variant Causing Symptom Not Typically Seen
Covid-19: New ‘Arcturus' Variant Causing Symptom Not Typically Seen A new COVID-19 variant fueling a rise in cases is causing a new symptom that has not been associated with the virus during the three-plus years of the pandemic. The so-called Arcturus strain — officially known as XBB.1.16 — is believed to be one of the most infectious versions of the Omicron variant to date.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) variant tracker, XBB.1.16 United States cases have doubled in the last week. Itchy, red eyes not seen in earlier waves "are symptoms of the new Omicron variant," according to a brand-new report by the Mayo Clinic. …
COVID-19: Highly-Infectious 'Arcturus' Variant First Detected In NY Now Identified In 27 States COVID-19: Highly-Infectious 'Arcturus' Variant First Detected In NY Now Identified In 27 States
Covid-19: Highly-Infectious 'Arcturus' Variant First Detected In NY Now Identified In 27 States Click here for a new, updated story - COVID-19: New ‘Arcturus' Variant Causing Symptom Not Typically Seen A new COVID-19 variant first detected in New York in January has now been identified in 27 states. The so-called Arcturus strain — officially known as XBB.1.16 — is believed to be one of the most infectious versions of Omicron to date.  Shortly after the World Health Organization began monitoring the variant in late March, cases had been reported in about two dozen countries. Arcturus has been sparking a surge of cases in India, prompting  Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s…
Grubhub Overcharged Mass Restaurants During COVID, AG Rules Grubhub Overcharged Mass Restaurants During COVID, AG Rules
Grubhub Overcharged Mass Restaurants During COVID, AG Rules Massachusetts restaurants may get a refund from the food delivery service that illegally overcharged eateries to operate on its platform, the Suffolk Superior Court said. Grubhub, headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, ignored legislature created during the COVID-19 public health emergency and overcharged restaurants to facilitate delivery and pickup orders, Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell ruled on Thursday, March 16. Social distancing was a priority during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, so the state ruled that food delivery platforms like Grubhub could not charge restaurants fees of…
COVID-19: New Study Reveals How Long 'Durable Protection' May Last After Catching Virus COVID-19: New Study Reveals How Long 'Durable Protection' May Last After Catching Virus
Covid-19: New Study Reveals How Long 'Durable Protection' May Last After Catching Virus A past COVID-19 infection provides "durable" but temporary protection against getting severely sick no matter the variant, according to a brand-new study. Researchers from the University of Washington say it's the most comprehensive data compiled so far showing national immunity protection against the virus. The findings were released Thursday, Feb. 16 in the peer-reviewed journal, The Lancet. The research identified and analyzed 65 studies from 19 different countries.  "Our meta-analyses showed that protection from past infection and any symptomatic disease was high for (COVID-19) an…