Covid-19 Pandemic
 Here’s the latest news: Oxford, AstraZeneca begin advanced trials of Covid vaccine Ecstatic and terrified, Americans are rushing out of their homes China pledges reform of outbreak reporting after virus delays Surgery awakens from its slumber Operating rooms around the U.S. are quiet right now, but one of the world’s biggest medical-device makers says soon they will be hives of activity. Few institutions have been as hard-hit by the novel coronavirus as hospitals. They cancelled elective surgeries and braced for a tsunami of infections, with surgical suites and procedure rooms converted to handle the expected influx of patients critically ill with Covid-19. Now, that pause may be about to end, and give way to a big-time surge in surgeries. “We’re getting texts, calls, from hospitals – big health system CEOs and purchasing people, basically indicating a faster-than anticipated recovery in many parts of the United States,” Medtronic Chief Executive Officer Geoff Martha said on the company’s earnings conference call Thursday. “Basically saying, are you guys ready? Buckle up.” It makes sense that a medical-device maker would be among the first to see signs that operating rooms are getting ready to get back to business. Companies like Medtronic provide everything from catheters and staples to pacemakers and spinal-cord stimulators that control pain.  Photographer: Dana Neely/Stone Sub Photographer: Dana Neely/Stone Sub Medical centers may start performing operations seven days a week in a furious effort to catch up on a backlog of patients who deferred procedures — and to resume providing services that generate some of the facilities’ highest profit margins. There are other reasons why surgeries may be one of the fastest areas of medical care to rebound, Martha said. One is even though some procedures are labeled elective, most of them really aren’t. They are critical for the health of the patient and can be delayed only so long. For many, it’s only a matter of time before they really have to take action. Hospitals want to care for those patients and provide them the relief that surgery often offers. But the institutions themselves also need financial relief. The surgery shutdown could lead to losses of more than $50 billion a month for health-care systems, according to the American Hospital Association. Compounding the pain, profit margins for operations are significantly higher than those for treating critically ill patients like those with Covid-19. The hospitals are looking to their equipment providers like Medtronic as partners for the first time, making sure they are ready to hit the ground running when the bell sounds to fully resume operations. “They have a bolus of patients they need to work through,” he said. “They are planning for six and seven day work weeks. I don’t know how long it will last.”—Michelle Fay Cortez Listen Up Latest podcast: The Dire Prison Situation Calls continue to mount for the release of inmates at risk of Covid-19 infection as cases rise at correctional facilities across the country. Also: What has the recession looked like for you? We want to hear your stories. The economics team at Bloomberg News has created an email where you can share your experience: covidstories@bloomberg.net.  What you should read Pandemic Boosts Dutch Bike Demand VanMoof has seen surge in interest for electric-powered bicycles. Coronavirus Is a Test Many Leaders Are Failing If a leader has a political weakness, novel coronavirus is finding it. As Virus Raged, China Snapped Up Luxury Cars Most U.S. states have seen exports to China fall so far this year. Closed Beaches in New York Anger Locals Coney Island, the Rockaways, Orchard Beach visitors risk fines. Bread Lines See Many New Faces Food banks see a surge in demand. Know someone else who would like this newsletter? Have them sign up here. Have any questions, concerns, or news tips on Covid-19 news? Get in touch or help us cover the story. Like this newsletter? Subscribe for unlimited access to trusted, data-based journalism in 120 countries around the world and gain expert analysis from exclusive daily newsletters, The Bloomberg Open and The Bloomberg Close. Follow Us Get the newsletter You received this message because you are subscribed to Bloomberg’s Coronavirus Daily newsletter. Unsubscribe | Bloomberg.com | Contact Us Bloomberg L.P. 731 Lexington, New York, NY, 10022 |
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