Public Health

Biden announces measures to counter Omicron surge, including stepped up testing and deploying military medical professdionals

Tue, 2021-12-21 15:39 — mike kraft

Biden steps up the U.S. pandemic response with help for hospitals and expanded testing

Facing an alarming surge in coronavirus cases that threatens to overwhelm the nation’s hospital system, President Biden stepped up his administration’s pandemic response again on Tuesday and tried to reassure an anxious nation, telling Americans that “we should all be concerned about Omicron, but not panicked.”

In a White House address, Mr. Biden directed his defense secretary to get 1,000 military medical professionals ready to help where needed; he announced new vaccination and testing sites; and he said his administration was buying 500 million rapid Covid-19 tests to distribute free to the public beginning in January through a new website.

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Misinformation about COVID. Experts explain why and how to spot false claims

Tue, 2021-12-21 11:40 — mike kraft

The omicron variant is fueling misinformation about COVID. Experts explain why and how to spot false claims. Public health experts say the lack of instant data on the omicron variant is prompting many people to seek out whatever information they can find. Adrianna Rodriguez USA TODAY

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WHO chief warns over festive gatherings because of fasts preading Omicron

Tue, 2021-12-21 11:24 — mike kraft

WHO chief warns over festive gatherings: ‘An event cancelled is better than a life cancelled’ Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus says Omicron is infecting people who have been vaccinated and could double its infections every 1.5 to three days Guard

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Analysis: What has been learned so far about the Omicron variant

Tue, 2021-12-21 10:36 — mike kraft

The omicron variant is surging. Here’s what we’ve learned so far Omicron is better at evading virus-attacking antibodies than previous variants, but there are signs booster shots might help curb symptoms. Erin Garcia de Jesus Science News

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CDC adds Spain, 7 other places, to its highest travel risk level

Tue, 2021-12-21 10:27 — mike kraft

CDC moves 8 places, including the world's No. 2 destination, to its highest travel risk level The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention added eight destinations to its highest-risk category for travel on Monday, including tourist favorite Spain. Find out the other seven places now on Level 4. By Forrest Brown, CNN CNN

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Florida:Omicron overtakes delta as Miami’s dominant COVID-19 variant

Tue, 2021-12-21 10:15 — mike kraft

Omicron overtakes delta as Miami's dominant COVID-19 variant | AP News MIAMI (AP) — Omicron has overtaken the delta variant in Miami-Dade County as the dominant strain of the coronavirus in a matter of weeks, according to genomic surveillance data. Genetic sequencing of the virus showed omicron grew from a tiny fraction of hundreds of samples taken the first week of December to nearly three of every four samples taken last week. AP NEWS

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Massachusetts National Guard activated to help counter COVID -19 surge

Tue, 2021-12-21 10:11 — mike kraft

Live updates: National Guard called in to help hospitals | AP News BOSTON: Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker announced Tuesday he will activate up to 500 members of the National Guard to support understaffed hospitals across the state facing a surge of COVID-19 patients and to bolster non-emergency medical transportation needs. AP NEWS

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In speech this afternoon, Biden to pledge 500M free COVID-19 tests to counter omicron

Tue, 2021-12-21 08:55 — mike kraft

Biden to pledge 500M free COVID-19 tests to counter omicron | AP News WASHINGTON (AP) — With the omicron variant on the march, President Joe Biden plans to announce 500 million free rapid tests for Americans, increased support for hospitals under strain and a redoubling of vaccination and boosting efforts. AP NEWS

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Maryland fixes hacking of its health data computer system, resumes reporting cases

Mon, 2021-12-20 20:16 — mike kraft

Maryland resumes reporting case data after cyberattack | AP News BALTIMORE (AP) — For the first time since Maryland officials took state health department servers offline amid an apparent cyberattack earlier this month, coronavirus case numbers and positivity rate data were available again on the department’s website Monday, showing a jump in cases and the testing positivity rate. AP NEWS

ALSO SEE: Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan Tests Positive for COVID-19

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Overview: Europe plans stricter curbs due to omicron concerns

Mon, 2021-12-20 20:05 — mike kraft

Coronavirus digest: Europe plans stricter curbs The UK, Germany and other European nations are planning to take action to prevent a new wave of infections. Elsewhere, Thailand may reimpose tougher restrictions for foreign travelers. DW has the latest. Deutsche Welle (www.dw.com) DW.COM

European countries such as the UK and Germany are bracing themselves due to the omicron variant of the coronavirus, which appears to be more transmissible than previous variants.

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