Damian McNamara

Damian McNamara is a journalist for Medscape Medical News and MDedge. He worked full-time for MDedge as the Miami Bureau covering a dozen medical specialties during 2001-2012, then as a freelancer for Medscape and MDedge, before being hired on staff by Medscape in 2018. Now the two companies are one. He uses what he learned in school – Damian has a BS in chemistry and an MS in science, health and environmental reporting/journalism. He works out of a home office in Miami, with a 100-pound chocolate lab known to snore under his desk during work hours.

News

‘Profound human toll’ in excess deaths from COVID-19 calculated in two studies

Author:: Damian McNamara

Publish date: October 13, 2020

The number of deaths caused by the pandemic exceeds publicly reported COVID-19 death counts by 20%.

News

Three major COVID vaccine developers release detailed trial protocols

Author:: Damian McNamara

Publish date: September 23, 2020

Typically, manufacturers guard the specifics of preclinical vaccine trials. This rare move follows calls for greater transparency.

News

Infectious COVID-19 can persist in gut for weeks

Author:: Damian McNamara

Publish date: September 14, 2020

“We found active and prolonged SARS-CoV-2 infection in the stool of patients with COVID-19, even after recovery, suggesting that coronavirus could ...

News

Unexpected results in new COVID-19 ‘cytokine storm’ data

Author:: Damian McNamara

Publish date: September 9, 2020

Circulating cytokine concentrations are lower in patients with COVID-19, compared with other diseases.

News

High mortality rates reported in large COVID-19 study

Author:: Damian McNamara

Publish date: September 2, 2020

“What I found most illuminating was this whole concept of comorbid conditions. This provides suggestive data about who we need to worry about most ...

News

Two PR employees at FDA fired after plasma therapy controversy

Author:: Damian McNamara

Publish date: August 31, 2020

The warnings by two public relations experts at the FDA against overpromoting convalescent plasma as a treatment for COVID-19 reportedly led to the...

News

FDA approves point-of-care COVID-19 antigen test

Author:: Damian McNamara

Publish date: August 27, 2020

“This new COVID-19 antigen test is an important addition to available tests because the results can be read in minutes, right off the testing card....

News

Cutaneous clues linked to COVID-19 coagulation risk

Author:: Damian McNamara

Publish date: August 6, 2020

These skin signs could augment coagulation assays in this patient population.

News

Low vitamin D linked to increased COVID-19 risk

Author:: Damian McNamara

Publish date: July 30, 2020

A large study evaluates associations between low serum vitamin D levels and risks for acquiring COVID-19 and hospitalization.

News

Combination therapy quells COVID-19 cytokine storm

Author:: Damian McNamara

Publish date: July 27, 2020

“While not a randomized clinical trial, and thus susceptible to unmeasured bias, the study adds to mounting evidence that supports targeting the ex...

News

About one-third of older Americans receive shingles vaccine

Author:: Damian McNamara

Publish date: July 13, 2020

“People over age 50 who have had chickenpox have a one third chance...

News

FDA approves oral therapy for myelodysplastic syndromes, CMML

Author:: Damian McNamara

Publish date: July 8, 2020

Under a priority review, the FDA approved a combination tablet for treatment of people with myelodysplastic syndromes or chronic myelomonocytic leu...