December 1, 2021 – Merck Pill Gets FDA Panel Support, Latest On Omicron & More

In our continuing series looking at the latest medical research and news on COVID-19, Larry Mantle speaks with Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, infectious disease specialist and professor of medicine at the UCSF Medical Center.  Topics today include:  Merck pill gets FDA panel support in a 13-10 vote.  Biden administration expected to toughen testing requirements for international travelers.  Omicron likely had began to spread from South Africa prior to it being detected.  Los Angeles County has no significant plans for new COVID-19 restrictions.  If vaccines prove to be ineffective, county health department’s first priority will be protecting nursing homes.  Bay Area Scientist explains Omicron variant’s set of mutations.  California patient confirmed to have first US case of the Omicron variant.  This program is made possible in part by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people.