Because of two concerning mutations, the B.1.617 variant discovered in India has been given a scary nickname “double mutant,” an incorrect term that is “completely unhelpful,” said Dr. Deepta Bhattacharya, an associate professor of immunobiology at the College of Medicine – Tucson.

Dr. Shad Marvasti, an associate professor of Family, Community and Preventive Medicine at the College of Medicine – Phoenix, expects a growing body of knowledge about the vaccines over the next six months. “At this point what we know from vaccine immunity is that it lasts at least six months, and studies are underway now looking beyond the six months time frame, to see whether or not there is still immunity."

"We're at the beginning of the end," said Dr. Joe Gerald, an associate professor of public health policy and management in the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health. Dr. Leila Barraza, an associate professor at the College of Public Health, added, "There's still individuals out there that are vulnerable to COVID-19, and we still need to be considerate of that."

Many chemotherapy treatments can be safely transitioned from inpatient to outpatient settings, reducing inpatient stays and slashing hundreds of thousands of dollars from the drug budget. “Institutions can save money they may otherwise lose in the inpatient setting by seeking reimbursement based on a buy-and-bill model, purchasing therapies under 340B if they’re eligible, billing for waste, and gaining access to patient assistance programs,” said Dr. Ali McBride, clinical coordinator of Hematology/Oncology at the Cancer Center and a clinical assistant professor at the College of Pharmacy.

The University of Arizona is participating in a nationwide COVID-19 post-vaccination study to help determine whether or not vaccinated individuals who are exposed to COVID-19 are still able to transmit the virus to others. Dr. Lori Fantry, a professor and associate clinical director of the College of Medicine’s Infectious Diseases Division, says the school hopes to enroll at least 100 students in the coming weeks.

A University of Arizona sleep expert says insomnia has been on the rise for decades, but anxiety related to the COVID-19 pandemic has made it worse. Dr. Sairam Parthasarathy, director of the Center for Sleep and Circadian Sciences and a professor at the College of Medicine – Tucson, calls it “coronasomnia.”

Dr. Kelly Reynolds, professor and chair of the Department of Community, Environment and Policy at the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, shares information that can be used to make more informed decisions about the need for improved water treatment options.

In Arizona and Pima County, COVID-19 cases have fallen for the second consecutive week after trending upward from the end of March through much of April. “It’s not a big decline, but it’s there, it’s noticeable,” said Dr. Joe Gerald, an associate professor of public health policy and management in the Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health.

With the Senior Awards Luncheon canceled due to COVID-19, the UArizona College of Medicine – Tucson convocation served as the award venue for the Class of 2021.

Fully vaccinated people mostly no longer need to wear masks or stay six feet apart when indoors, per the CDC. Masks also aren't needed outdoors, even in crowded areas. “It’s a step in the right direction in terms of showing people how powerful the vaccines are. It also helps to show another reason why you should get vaccinated, so it provides another incentive," said Dr. Farshad Fani Marvasti, a physician and associate professor at the College of Medicine – Phoenix.