WHO, CDC: A record 40 million kids miss measles vaccine dose
The World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say measles immunization has dropped significantly since the coronavirus pandemic began, resulting in a record high of nearly 40 million children missing a vaccine dose last year.
Monkeypox cases triple in Europe, WHO says, Africa concerned
The World Health Organizationโs Europe chief has warned that monkeypox cases across the region have tripled in the last two weeks and called on countries to take stronger measures to ensure the previously rare disease does not become entrenched on the continent.
EU regulator considers clearing smallpox shot for monkeypox
The European Medicines Agency says it will begin reviewing data to decide if a smallpox vaccine made by the pharmaceutical company Bavarian Nordic might also be authorized for monkeypox, amid a growing outbreak of the disease across the continent.
COVID-19 hospital visitor rules: Families want more access
Families of COVID-19 patients are asking hospitals to rethink visitor policies a year and a half into the pandemic that has killed 700,000 people in the U.S. The relatives say they're being denied the right to be with loved ones at a crucial time.
More evidence suggests COVID-19 was in US by Christmas 2019
A new analysis of blood samples from 24,000 Americans taken early last year is the latest and largest study to suggest that the new coronavirus popped up in the U.S. in December 2019 โ weeks before cases were first recognized by health officials.
The Latest: Navajo Nation extends "safer at home" order
That increased the stateโs totals to 839,334 confirmed cases and 16,912 confirmed deaths. Ad___RIO DE JANEIRO โ Brazil accounts for a quarter of the daily coronavirus global deaths, more than any other nation. AdThere have been 12.4 million confirmed cases and more than 307,000 confirmed deaths in Brazil, second only to the United States. AdPakistan has reported 649,824 total confirmed cases and 14,158 confirmed deaths. The nation of 10.7 million had 1.5 million confirmed cases with 25,639 deaths.
Can I take painkillers before or after a COVID-19 vaccine?
Can I take painkillers before or after a COVID-19 vaccine? The concern about painkillers is that they might curb the very immune system response that a vaccine aims to spur. AdThe U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently updated its guidance to recommend against painkillers before a COVID-19 shot. Read more here:What should I know about COVID-19 vaccines if Iโm pregnant? How do we know the COVID-19 vaccines are safe?
The Latest: California prisons to resume in-person visits
The state health department said nearly 17,000 people had filled up four days of appointments for the speedway clinic being held Friday through Monday. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- California state prisons will soon resume limited in-person visits with inmates more than a year after they were halted because of the coronavirus pandemic. Museums, aquariums, retail businesses and shops, hair salons and personal care businesses can operate at 100% capacity indoors and outdoors. The three joined neighboring Santa Mateo County on Tuesday as the latest Bay Area counties to move into Californiaโs โmoderateโ tier for coronavirus restrictions. Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady says the biggest driver behind the increase is young adults.
I got the COVID-19 vaccine. What can I safely do?
I got the COVID-19 vaccine. (AP Illustration/Peter Hamlin)I got the COVID-19 vaccine. In the U.S., the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says fully vaccinated people can gather maskless with other vaccinated people indoors. It also says you can meet with unvaccinated people from one household at a time, if those people are considered at low risk of severe COVID-19. A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the last required dose of vaccine.
The Latest: SKorea to give shots to elders in long-term care
AdHe also sanctioned a bill that makes the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines easier. However, the actual numbers of COVID-19 cases, like elsewhere in the world, are thought to be far higher, in part due to limited testing. Murphy, whoโs running for re-election this, said the stateโs COVID-19 trends are headed in the right direction, though theyโve been up a bit this week. ___SALT LAKE CITY โ Utahโs governor says all adults in the state will be eligible to receive COVID-19 vaccines on April 1. Ad___PHOENIX โ Arizona on Wednesday reported 830 confirmed coronavirus cases and 78 deaths, following two days of no new deaths.
The Latest: SKorean economy shrinks for 1st time in 22 years
It marked the first annual contraction for the countryโs economy since 1998, when it was in the midst of a crippling financial crisis. In comparison, the federal government previously said 38% of people would receive two doses by the end of June. Still, thatโs 700,000 doses on hand, when the state is getting 200,000 doses this week, rising to 223,000 next week. AdBharat Biotech has already signed an agreement with Brazil to supply 20 million doses of the vaccine by September. ___COLUMBUS, Ohio โ Ohioโs mask mandate will continue until a โcritical massโ has been reached of people who have received the coronavirus vaccine, a spokesperson for Ohio Gov.
Does wearing two masks provide more protection?
Will wearing two masks better protect me from the virus? AP Illustration/Peter HamlinDoes wearing two masks provide more protection? The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends wearing a cloth mask made with two or more layers, and ensuring it covers your nose and mouth. Another option Gandhi and a colleague recommend for situations where you want โmaximumโ protection: A two-layer cloth mask that has a filter material in between. Does wearing a mask pose any health risks?
CDC requires face masks on airlines, public transportation
(AP Photo/John Minchillo, File)ATLANTA โ Travelers on airplanes and public transportation like buses and subways will be required to wear face masks starting next week to curb the spread of COVID-19. The 11-page CDC order takes effect just before midnight on Monday night. Flight attendant unions have said a federal rule will make it easier for crews to enforce the requirement. The don't-travel list includes face shields, bandanas, masks with exhalation valves and masks that are too big or otherwise don't fit properly. AdThe CDC rule came just over a week after Bidenโs executive order, which already mandated masks on certain modes of public transportation including planes and trains, and it mandated masks on federal property.
Should I get a COVID-19 vaccine if I've had the virus?
Should I get a COVID-19 vaccine if Ive been infected? AP Illustration/Peter HamlinShould I get a COVID-19 vaccine if Iโve had the virus? โYour immune system is able to identify the virus, and protect itself,โ said Dr. Saskia Popescu, an infectious disease expert at George Mason University. How quickly do I need a second COVID-19 vaccine shot? Can I stop wearing a mask after getting a COVID-19 vaccine?
EXPLAINER: How do I know when to get my 2nd vaccine shot?
Itโs one of the many logistical issues health officials have been sorting out to pull off the countryโs largest vaccination campaign. You'll get a vaccination record card that says when and where you got your first shot, and what kind it was. The CDC wanted information including names, dates of birth and gender of people vaccinated from local health officials. Jon Reid, manager of the vaccine registry in Utah, said he expected most states to send data with personal information removed. Federal health officials have said the data could also be useful if people happen to be in another part of the country for the second shot.
The Latest: China tests millions in port over virus cluster
(AP Photo/Emrah Gurel)BEIJING โ Authorities in Chinaโs northeastern port city of Dalian are testing millions of residents after seven new coronavirus cases were reported there in the last 24 hours. It has a deal to secure up to 100 million doses of the potential vaccine produced by AstraZeneca. Koca said the first shipment of three million doses of CoronaVac would be shipped to Turkey on Sunday and arrive Monday. He said Turkey could get 4.5 million doses until the end of March and would have the option buy up to 30 million doses. Indonesia has reported nearly 700,000 COVID-19 cases, the largest caseload in Southeast Asia and second in Asia only to Indiaโs 10.1 million confirmed cases.
Debunked COVID-19 myths survive online, despite facts
Public health officials, fact checkers and doctors tried to quash hundreds of rumors in myriad ways. MYTH: COVID-19 IS SIMILAR TO THE FLUIn fact, COVID-19 has proved to be far deadlier. The photos and videos gained traction with the #FilmYourHospital hashtag, part of a right-wing conspiracy theory that public health officials and politicians were exaggerating COVID-19โs deadly toll. The U.K., Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration have authorized Pfizerโs coronavirus vaccine. โI donโt think it was one myth that caused the problem,โ said Nancy Kass, deputy director for public health at the Johns Hopkins Berman Institute of Bioethics.
New from CDC: Face masks should be worn in all indoor settings, except at home
On Friday, Dec. 4 the CDC published in a weekly report updated guidelines that recommend โuniversal use of face masksโ as COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths climb across the nation at dangerous rates. โFace mask use is most important in indoor spaces and outdoors when physical distance of 6 feet (or less) cannot be maintained,โ the CDCโs report reads. Read more: What the CDC says about face masks -- a refresherThe updated guidelines come amid recent research that shows face masks not only prevent a person from spreading COVID-19, but they also provide some protection to the wearer -- though to a lesser extent. In light of the new guidelines, the CDC is encouraging state and local governments to โissue policies or directives mandating universal use of face masks in indoor (nonhousehold) settings,โ and to provide face masks to populations in need to help prevent the spread of COVID. Majority of the CDCโs previously-issued mask guidelines have not changed, however, including what types of masks to wear and how to wear them.
Is shopping in stores safe during the pandemic?
Is shopping in stores safe during the pandemic? The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says holiday shopping in crowded stores is a โhigher riskโ activity and that people should limit any in-person shopping, including at supermarkets. Retailers have been doing all kinds of things to make shoppers feel safe, but they don't eliminate the risk. The plastic barriers between customers and cashiers also might not block all droplets from an infected person, Weisfuse says. Is it safe to stay in hotels during the pandemic?
UN: 870K measles cases in 2019, highest number in 23 years
LONDON โ The number of children sickened by measles in 2019 was the highest in 23 years, according to new data published by the World Health Organization and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Officials blamed the record number of cases on a significant drop in vaccination; children must receive two doses of the measles vaccine to avoid being sickened by the highly contagious disease. To prevent measles outbreaks, WHO estimates about 95% of the population must be immunized. WHO and CDC warned that the global efforts to stop the coronavirus pandemic have also complicated measles vaccination campaigns, allowing the disease to spread further. Measles mostly strikes children under five and can be fatal in those who are malnourished or have compromised immune systems.
Is it safe to stay in hotels during the pandemic?
Is it safe to stay in hotels during the pandemic? But she said there have been very few reported coronavirus outbreaks connected to hotels. If you stay at a hotel, check to see what safety steps itโs taking. Many hotels have adopted enhanced cleaning procedures, for example, and are encouraging social distancing in common areas. You can also use disinfectant wipes to clean the surfaces that are most touched, like light switches and faucets, Tuznik said.
More Americans on diets from a decade ago, report finds
A higher percentage of Americans said theyโre on a special diet to lose weight or for other health reasons compared with a decade ago, according to a report Tuesday by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC report found that 17% of Americans said they were on diets during the 2017-2018 survey period, up from 14% a decade earlier. โ18% of non-Hispanic white Americans, 16% of Hispanic Americans and 15% of Asian and Black Americans said they were diets. โA higher percentage of people 40 and older said they were on diets than those ages 20 to 39. โBetween 2007-08 and 2017-18, diets described as โweight loss or low calorieโ grew in popularity, and remained the top category of special diet.
Does the flu vaccine affect my chances of getting COVID-19?
Does the flu vaccine affect my chances of getting COVID-19? The flu vaccine protects you from seasonal influenza, not the coronavirus โ but avoiding the flu is especially important this year. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends the flu vaccine for everyone starting at 6 months of age, and suggests getting it by the end of October. And the flu vaccine isn't perfect but studies show if the vaccinated get sick, they don't get as severely ill.A few flawed studies over the years have attempted to link the flu vaccine to increased risk of other respiratory infections, but experts say there is no evidence that's true. Read previous Viral Questions:How can I tell the difference between the flu and COVID-19?
Michigan receives $4.35M in funding to address suicide in adult men
LANSING, Mich. โ The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) received funding to address suicide in adult men. The funding is worth $4.35 million and will be used over the next five years. More than 48,000 people died by suicide in the United States in 2018, according to the CDC. READ: Suicide prevention support and mental health resources available in USOfficials said two-thirds of suicide deaths in Michigan are adult men. The funding will go toward the MDHHS program Preventing Suicide in Michigan Men (PRiSSM) and will work to reduce the number of deaths and attempts among men ages 25 and older.
What are the rules on masks in schools?
What are the rules on masks in schools? Whether students have to wear masks, and the trouble they could face if they don't, depends on where they go to school. South Carolina says students have to wear masks in the hallways, but can take them off in the classroom if a teacher allows it. In the northern Italian town of Codogno that was hit hard by the virus, elementary and middle school students have to wear masks. In New York City, officials say students will simply be sent home and told to attend school remotely if they refuse to wear masks.
Does my employer have to say if a coworker has the virus?
Does my employer have to say if a coworker has the virus? Employers are generally not required to tell workers when someone in the workplace has tested positive for the coronavirus. Employers have the right to take employees' temperature and ask about symptoms or if they have been exposed to or diagnosed with the virus. Amazon, for example, alerted warehouse workers when someone tested positive for the virus, but didn't disclose a tally of how many workers tested positive. In general, theres a high legal bar for finding an employer at fault for endangering employees and most claims are resolved via workers compensation settlements.
Fact-check: CDC has not reduced the death count related to COVID-19
The CDC data table is based on an analysis of death certificates that mention COVID-19 as a cause. For 6% of the deaths, COVID-19 was the only cause mentioned, the CDC notes. As of Aug. 26, the CDC said, there were 161,332 deaths where COVID-19 was listed on the death certificate. Experts say itโs not surprising that so few people who died from COVID-19 had no underlying conditions listed on their death certificates. โIn 92% of all deaths that mention COVID-19, COVID-19 is listed as the underlying cause of death."
Can mosquitoes spread the coronavirus?
Can mosquitoes spread the coronavirus? While mosquitoes can spread some diseases, most notably malaria, experts say COVID-19 is not among them. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it has no data to suggest the coronavirus is spread by either mosquitoes or ticks. COVID-19 is mainly spread from person to person through droplets people spray when they talk, cough or sneeze. That failed to happen when researchers injected three species of mosquitoes with the virus.
Scientists study coronavirus outbreaks among minks in Europe
Coronavirus outbreaks at mink farms in Spain and the Netherlands have scientists digging into how the animals got infected and if they can spread it to people. (AP Photo/Sergei Grits, File)MADRID Coronavirus outbreaks at mink farms in Spain and the Netherlands have scientists digging into how the animals got infected and if they can spread it to people. In the meantime, authorities have killed more than 1 million minks at breeding farms in both countries as a precaution. The outbreaks among the minks on farms in the Netherlands and Spain likely started with infected workers, although officials arent certain. China, which produces about a third of the mink fur market, and the United States have not reported any virus outbreaks in minks or in animals at other farms.
ClickOnDetroit Morning Briefing -- July 24, 2020
CDC releases new coronavirus guidelines for schoolsThe U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated their guidelines for schools preparing to reopen amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. So far, 274 students have been tested -- and two have tested positive. Michigan coronavirus (COVID-19) cases up to 75,947; Death toll now at 6,148The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan has risen to 75,947 as of Thursday, including 6,148 deaths, state officials report. The number of COVID-19 hospital inpatients in Michigan has been steadily increasing since the beginning of July. However, the volume is far lower than it was in April when Michigan reported nearly 4,000 COVID-19 inpatients.
Is it safe to stay in hotels as reopenings get underway?
Is it safe to stay in hotels as reopenings get underway? It's best to call ahead to see how the place youre considering is working to minimize the risk of COVID-19. To reassure potential guests, many hotels from luxury resorts to budget brands are sharing the changes theyre making on their websites. The CDC also suggests taking the stairs when possible and minimizing the use of common areas. Read previous Viral Questions: What are the potential long-term effects of having COVID-19?
CDC, states' reporting of virus test data causes confusion
Public health officials have said robust testing for the coronavirus is essential to safely lifting stay-at-home orders and business closures, but states are creating confusion in the way they are reporting the data. Ducey did not disclose during the televised news conference that the figures combined diagnostic and antibody tests. Positive results from diagnostic tests were declining, according to published state data, but adding the antibody tests made the decline look steeper. Delaware said it has shifted focus from reporting antibody tests and toward viral tests as they have become more available following nationwide shortages. Nuzzo said COVID-19 has become politicized, creating pressure for officials to make their states' data look good.
How should I clean and store my face mask?
How should I clean and store my face mask? Cloth face masks worn during the coronavirus pandemic should be washed regularly, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Public health experts recommend wearing a mask made from cotton fabric, such as T-shirts, or scarves and bandannas, when you are outside and unable to maintain social distancing from others. It is best to clean your mask in a washing machine or with soap and hot water. Watts advises storing the clean, dry mask in a new paper bag to keep it safe from germs.