At-home Covid test, check. Adequate telehealth response, not yet UW infectious disease specialist foresees a better way to test for, track, and treat Covid Kim Malcolm
Over-the-counter Covid tests will soon be free for Medicare recipients The Biden administration said that Medicare recipients will be able to get up to eight tests a month, free of charge. Alana Wise
COVIDtest.gov has been helpful in getting tests out — but there's more work to do The White House committed to buying a billion rapid COVID tests to distribute in the U.S. The launch of COVIDtests.gov has made it easy for Americans to order free tests, but there are still issues. Tamara Keith
Covid blog: Don't get in a tizzy about stealth omicron variant, health experts say Also, free N95 masks at Fred Meyer and QFC. KUOW Staff
Only about 40% of people who are eligible have gotten a COVID booster shot Science shows the value of boosters against COVID, but many vaccinated people haven't gotten the shot. About 40% of people who are eligible have been boosted, which could be bad if COVID surges again. Allison Aubrey
Canadian truck drivers block border crossing and protest at capital over vaccine rule Canada's vaccination rate far outpaces the U.S., but it still has a robust anti-vax movement, which this week took the form of truckers camped out in Ottawa. Emma Jacobs
U.S. Army begins to discharge soldiers who refuse Covid-19 vaccination "Unvaccinated Soldiers present risk to the force and jeopardize readiness," Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth says. The Army says 96% of active troops have been vaccinated. Avie Schneider
Here's how the Biden administration says it will halve cancer rates by 2047 President Biden is relaunching "Cancer Moonshot," an initiative he led as vice president. It aims to dramatically reduce cancer deaths and improve the experience of patients, survivors and families. Rachel Treisman
Canadian health officials say get out and clear your head — it's good for you A thousand doctors joined a program to prescribe time in national parks. People suffering anxiety or depression get a nature prescription, which also helps with chronic disease like diabetes.
Pandemic updates: Washington runs out of free Covid tests, again Updated news about the coronavirus pandemic in Seattle and Washington state for Wednesday, February 2, 2022. KUOW Staff