Sep 24 CDC studies show masks lessen school outbreaks By Associated Press One study in two Arizona counties found coronavirus outbreaks were almost four times more common at public schools without mask mandates on the first day than at those that re-opened with a masking requirement. Continue reading
Sep 23 CDC panel recommends extra dose of Pfizer vaccine for vulnerable groups By Lauran Neergaard, Mike Stobbe, Associated Press The U.S. vaccination drive against COVID-19 stands on the verge of a major new phase: Government advisers on Thursday recommended booster doses of Pfizer’s vaccine for millions of Americans. Continue reading
Sep 22 FDA backs Pfizer COVID-19 boosters for seniors, high-risk By Matthew Perrone, Lauran Neergaard, Mike Stobbe, Associated Press The FDA on Wednesday signed off on such shots as a way to shore up protection in those groups. This is not a done deal yet: The CDC has yet to weigh in on who it believes should get boosters… Continue reading
Sep 22 Florida makes quarantine optional for exposed students By Mike Schneider, Associated Press Florida's new surgeon general has signed new protocols allowing parents to decide whether their children should quarantine or stay in school if they are asymptomatic after being exposed to someone who tested positive for COVID-19. Continue reading
Sep 10 CDC finds unvaccinated people are 11 times more likely to die of COVID By Lauren Neergaard, Associated Press New U.S. studies show COVID-19 vaccines remain highly effective against hospitalizations and death. That's even against the extra-contagious delta variant. Continue reading
Aug 02 Why the CDC recommends wearing masks indoors even if you've been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 By Peter Chin-Hong, The Conversation The CDC guidance applies to areas with high coronavirus transmission rates – which on the day of the announcement covered 63% of U.S. counties. Continue reading
Jul 23 Federal court lifts CDC rules for Florida-based cruise ships By Associated Press The lawsuit, championed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, claims that the CDC's multiple-step process to allow cruising from Florida is overly burdensome, harming both a multibillion-dollar industry that provides some 159,000 jobs and revenue collected by the state. Continue reading
Jul 21 U.S. life expectancy in 2020 saw biggest drop since WWII By Mike Stobbe, Associated Press U.S. life expectancy fell by a year and a half in 2020, the largest one-year decline since World War II, public health officials said Wednesday. Continue reading
Jul 16 Watch 7:49 Arkansas hospitals expect COVID admissions to double by August due to the unvaccinated The White House warned Friday about a surge of COVID cases in some states and the connection with low vaccination rates and misinformation. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported about 33,000 new cases Thursday — up from a… Continue watching
Jul 16 'Pandemic of the unvaccinated' burdens busy U.S. hospitals By Heather Hollingsworth, Josh Funk, Associated Press With the highly contagious delta variant spreading rapidly across the country, cases in the U.S. are up about 70% over the last week, hospital admissions are up about 36% and deaths rose by 26%, according to the Centers for Disease… Continue reading