BD, BioGX Announce FDA Emergency Use Authorization for New COVID-19 Diagnostic for Use in U.S. New Test Immediately Available to Increase Capacity of Rapid, On-Site Testing of COVID-19 at Hospitals Across the U.S.

The test helps fill an urgent need across the U.S. for hospitals to access an easy-to-use, rapid diagnostic test to screen patients and health care workers for COVID-19. The test will be run on the BD MAX™ System, a molecular diagnostic platform already in use at hundreds of laboratories in nearly every state across the country. Each unit is capable of analyzing hundreds of samples per day.Continue reading

TGen, A Genomic First Responder to COVID-19

TGen is stepping up through the untiring efforts of scientists and staff at TGen’s Pathogen and Microbiome Division (TGen North). The amazing group has a history of tracking the cause and source of disease outbreaks, antibiotic resistance, healthcare-acquired infections, microbial evolution, pathogen dispersal, and emerging infections. Continue reading

New Executive Order: “Stay Home, Stay Healthy, Stay Connected”

The latest Executive Order issued today by Governor Doug Ducey follows new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and comes at the recommendation of public health officials who are tracking data specific to Arizona. The Governor’s order promotes increased physical distancing, while encouraging social connectedness among citizens. It takes place at 5:00 p.m. tomorrow, March 31, 2020.Continue reading

Governor Ducey, Superintendent Hoffman Announce Extension Of School Closures Through End Of School Year

PHOENIX⁠ — Governor Doug Ducey and Superintendent of Public Instruction Kathy Hoffman today announced the extension of Arizona school closures through the end of the school year. The extension follows updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and an announcement from the White House extending physical distancing guidelines until April 30, 2020. Continue reading

Johnson & Johnson Announces a Lead Vaccine Candidate for COVID-19; Landmark New Partnership with U.S. Department of Health & Human Services; and Commitment to Supply One Billion Vaccines Worldwide for Emergency Pandemic Use

Alex Gorsky, chairman and CEO of Johnson & Johnson, one of several companies that’s developed a potential coronavirus vaccine, tells TODAY that his company has a candidate “that has a high degree of probability of being successful.” He anticipates starting tests in humans in September and says “We could have vaccines ready in Q1 and Q2 of 2021.” (Source:  TODAY Show)Continue reading