(RxWiki News) The number of coronavirus cases continues to rise in the United States.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at publication time, 5,422,242 coronavirus cases and 169,870 deaths had been reported in the US.
Around three weeks ago, those numbers were 4,163,892 coronavirus cases and 145,982 deaths reported in the US. This is a difference of more than 1 million cases.
However, the CDC noted that the agency does not know the exact number of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths. This is because symptoms might not appear immediately, there is a delay in reporting and testing, and they know many people are not getting tested or seeking medical care. Plus, the CDC noted that there may be differences in how states are confirming COVID-19 numbers.
New information continues to become available as health officials learn more about the virus. As coronavirus cases continue to increase, the search for an effective treatment and vaccine also continues.
The FDA continues to issue warnings regarding the possible dangers of certain hand sanitizer products. These hand sanitizers may contain methanol (wood alcohol), which can be toxic — especially when absorbed through the skin or ingested. More recently, the FDA issued a warning for certain hand sanitizer products, including those manufactured by Harmonic Nature S de RL de MI in Mexico.
These hand sanitizers have tested positive for 1-propanol, which is not an acceptable ingredient for hand sanitizer and can be toxic and life-threatening when ingested.
Another update: The CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in public settings and when around people who don’t live in their household. However, the CDC is now advising against face masks with exhalation valves or vents. This is because the purpose of face masks is to keep respiratory droplets from reaching others.
Masks with one-way valves or vents allow air to be exhaled through a hole in the material. That can actually result in the spreading of respiratory droplets to others.
The CDC does not currently recommend the use of face shields as a substitute for masks. There is currently not enough evidence to support the effectiveness of face shields in preventing the person wearing the shield from spreading COVID-19 to others.
There are some instances when a mask is not a possibility — for example, for people who are deaf or have hearing loss. In these cases, if a face shield is needed, select one:
- That wraps around the sides of the face and extends below the chin
- That is hooded
Speak with your health care provider if you have any questions.
