San Diego County reports 687 new COVID-19 cases, 5 more virus deaths
– 7:00 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, 2021
San Diego County public health officials Friday reported 687 new cases of COVID-19 and five additional virus-related deaths.
Friday's data brought the county's cumulative case total to 370,488 since the pandemic began. The death toll is now 4,218, according to the county.
There were 288 people hospitalized with COVID-19 in the county on Friday, an increase of six from Thursday. Of these, 83 people were in intensive care units, a decrease of three from Thursday, according to state figures.
The number of county residents who have received at least one shot is now nearly 2.53 million — 90.2% of residents 12 and older. More than 2.28 million, or 81.5% of that cohort, are fully vaccinated.
A total of 19,052 new tests were reported to the county on Friday, and the percentage of new positive cases over the past week was 3.3%, according to the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency. — City News Service
FDA authorizes use of Pfizer's COVID vaccine for 5- to 11-year-olds
– 2:24 p.m. Friday, Oct. 29, 2021
The Food and Drug Administration has authorized a Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. This lower-dose formulation of the companies' adult vaccine was found to be safe and 90.7% effective in preventing COVID-19.
The agency acted Friday after a panel of independent scientists advising the FDA strongly supported the authorization on Tuesday. The FDA says the emergency use authorization is based on a study of approximately 4,700 children ages 5 to 11.
"As a mother and a physician, I know that parents, caregivers, school staff, and children have been waiting for today's authorization. Vaccinating younger children against COVID-19 will bring us closer to returning to a sense of normalcy," said acting FDA commissioner Janet Woodcock, M.D. in a statement. – Joe Neel, NPR
California virus cases stop falling, governor urges caution
– 7:05 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021
California Gov. Gavin Newsom rolled up his sleeve Wednesday and received a coronavirus vaccine booster shot, a move he encouraged others to take as the state heads into the time of year that in 2020 ushered in the deadliest spike of COVID-19 cases.
Much has changed since then — 88% of those 18 and older in California have received at least one dose of a vaccine that didn’t exist last fall and millions have survived contracting the virus and have a level of natural immunity, though it’s unclear for how long.
Still, millions are not vaccinated and new cases and hospitalizations have flattened after a steady two-month decline that saw California boast the nation’s lowest infection rate. State models show a gradual increase in hospitalizations in the next month.
The state seems to have reached what Dr. Mark Ghaly, secretary of the California Health and Human Services Agency, called a plateau after its steady decline in cases and hospitalizations since the summer surge of the delta variant of the virus.
Models show coronavirus hospitalizations increasing slightly over the next month, from about 3,800 in hospitals now to about 4,460 by Thanksgiving.
The models forecast a gradual drop in intensive care patients but with a troubling upward curve starting in about two weeks. Deaths are expected to continue their inexorable climb, adding nearly 3,000 to reach a pandemic total of 74,000 by Thanksgiving week.
Still the numbers are a far cry from what the state experienced less than a year ago. — Associated Press
San Diego County reports 549 new COVID-19 cases, 9 more virus deaths
– 6:58 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2021
San Diego County public health officials Wednesday reported 549 new cases of COVID-19 and nine additional virus-related deaths.
Wednesday's data brought the county's cumulative case total to 369,361 since the pandemic began. The death toll is now 4,207, according to the county.
A total of 3,691 cases were reported in the past week compared to 3,105 cases the previous week.
There were 288 COVID-19 hospitalizations in the past week. Of these, 273 people were not fully vaccinated and 15 were fully vaccinated.
The county's case rate per 100,000 residents is 13.6 overall, 7.5 for fully vaccinated people and 23.1 for not fully vaccinated San Diegans.
The number of county residents who have received at least one shot is now nearly 2.53 million — 90.2% of residents 12 and older. More than 2.28 million, or 81.5% of that cohort, are fully vaccinated.
A total of 19,703 new tests were reported to the county on Wednesday, and the percentage of new positive cases over the past week was 2.8%, according to the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency. — City News Service
Moderna says new data supports its COVID vaccine for kids 6 to 11
– 9:58 a.m. Monday, Oct. 25, 2021
Moderna says a study in kids 6 to 11 found two doses of the company's COVID-19 vaccine given 28 days apart produced a strong antibody response.
The study, conducted in collaboration with the National Institutes of Health, used shots containing a 50 microgram dose of the vaccine, half the dose of the Moderna shots authorized for adults. More than 4,700 children ages 5 to 11 took part in the study.
The most common side effects were fatigue, headache, fever and pain at the site of injection. The company says the analysis showed a "favorable safety profile." – Scott Hensley, NPR
San Diego County reports 496 new COVID-19 cases, no new deaths
– 9:58 a.m. Monday, Oct. 25, 2021
San Diego County public health officials have reported 496 new cases of COVID-19 and no new virus-related deaths in its latest data.
Sunday's data brought the county's cumulative case total to 367,857 since the pandemic began. The death toll remains 4,183.
The number of COVID-positive patients in San Diego County hospitals Sunday was 260, an increase of 11 from Saturday, with 85 of them in intensive care — four more than Saturday— according to the latest state figures. — City News Service
Pfizer-BioNTech COVID vaccine appears more than 90% effective in kids 5 to 11
– 3:38 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22, 2021
Pfizer and its partner BioNTech say their data supports authorization of their COVID-19 vaccine in kids 5 to 11.
The Food and Drug Administration released the companies' briefing document Friday morning in a prelude to a meeting of expert advisers to the agency scheduled for Tuesday.
The companies studied a 10 microgram vaccine dose in children ages 5 to 11, a third of the dose used for adults and older children. The lower dose was chosen to minimize side effects and because it still prompts a strong immune response, the companies said.
In the main clinical trial conducted by the companies, the vaccine appeared to be more than 90% effective against symptomatic COVID-19. – Scott Hensley, NPR
CDC advisers back rollout of COVID vaccine boosters from Moderna and J&J
– 5:10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021
A panel of experts advising the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention unanimously backed the rollout of Moderna and Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine boosters in line with the Food and Drug Administration's authorizations issued Wednesday. The committee's actions also support a mix-and-match approach to booster vaccination.
For Moderna, the panel said a booster should be given to people on the same terms as the Pfizer-BioNTech booster. That would cover people 65 and older, people 18 and older in long-term care settings and people 50 to 64 with relevant underlying medical conditions.
The booster may be given to people 18 to 49 years with certain medical conditions and to people 18 to 64 who have COVID-19 risks related to their work or who live in certain institutional settings.
For Johnson & Johnson, the panel's advice was simpler: A booster is recommended for people 18 and older at least two months after their initial immunization.
The next step is for CDC Director Rochelle Walensky to issue a statement on the committee's recommendations and put forth an official position from the public health agency. The director generally goes along with the recommendations of the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, but in a rare departure she overruled aspects of the committee's decision on the Pfizer booster.
A CDC presentation and draft voting language said that the same vaccine used for initial immunization should be used as a booster dose but that a mix-and-match approach is OK when the primary vaccine isn't available or a different vaccine is preferred. – Scott Hensley, NPR
US expected to authorize mix-and-match COVID booster shots
– 11:01 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 19, 2021
Federal regulators are expected to authorize the mixing and matching of COVID-19 booster shots this week in an effort to provide flexibility for those seeking to maintain protection against the coronavirus.
The upcoming announcement by the Food and Drug Administration is likely to come along with authorization for boosters of the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson shots and follows the authorization of a third dose for the Pfizer vaccine for many Americans last month. The move was previewed Tuesday by a U.S. health official familiar with the matter who was not authorized to speak publicly ahead of the announcement.
The FDA was expected to say that, especially for the mRNA vaccines from Pfizer and Moderna that have proved most effective against the virus, maintaining consistency in the vaccine course was still preferable. The agency was still finalizing guidance for the single-shot J&J vaccine. – Associated Press
San Diego County reports 275 new COVID-19 cases, 6 new deaths
– 7:07 p.m. Monday, Oct. 18, 2021
San Diego County public health officials reported 275 new cases of COVID-19 and six virus-related deaths Monday.
Monday's data brought the county's cumulative totals to 364,912 cases and 4,169 fatalities since the pandemic began.
The number of COVID-19 patients in county hospitals Monday was 266, an increase of six from Sunday, with 81 of them in intensive care — one more from Sunday — according to the latest state figures.
A total of 11,469 tests were reported to the county on Monday, and the percentage of new positive cases over the past week was 2.7%.
The latest statistics follow the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency recently reporting that more than 2.2 million San Diegans — or about 80% of those eligible — are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, making San Diego among the most-vaccinated counties in the state and the nation.
More than 2.5 million people, or 89.2% of San Diego County residents 12 and older, are partially vaccinated. — City News Service
San Diego County reports 528 new COVID-19 cases, no new deaths
– 9:28 a.m., Monday, Oct. 18, 2021
San Diego County has reported 528 new cases of COVID-19 and no new deaths in its latest data.
Sunday's data brought the county's cumulative totals to 364,634 cases and 4,163 fatalities since the pandemic began.
The number of COVID patients in county hospitals Sunday was 260, with 80 of them in intensive care, according to the latest state figures.
A total of 19,204 tests were reported to the county on Friday, and the percentage of new positive cases over the past week was 2.9%. The county doesn't report lab tests on the weekends. – City News Service
FDA panel endorses booster shot for J&J COVID-19 vaccine
– 10:50 a.m., Friday, Oct. 15, 2021
A panel of U.S. health advisers endorsed booster doses of Johnson & Johnson’s single-shot COVID-19 vaccine Friday, saying they should be offered at least two months after immunization.
J&J has asked the Food and Drug Administration for flexibility with its booster, arguing the extra dose adds important protection as early as two months after initial vaccination -- but that it might work better if people wait until six months later.
The FDA’s advisory panel voted unanimously that a booster should be offered without setting a firm time. The advisers cited growing worry that recipients of J&J’s vaccination seem to be less protected than people who got two-dose Pfizer or Moderna options — and that most got that single dose many months ago.
The FDA isn’t bound by the vote but its ultimate decision could help expand the nation’s booster campaign.
The government says all three U.S. vaccines continue to offer strong protection against hospitalization and death from COVID-19, and that the priority is getting first shots to the unvaccinated. But there’s a growing push to shore up protection against “breakthrough” infections and the extra-contagious delta variant of the coronavirus.
Booster doses of Pfizer’s vaccine began last month for people at high risk of COVID-19, and the FDA advisory panel has recommended the same approach for Moderna recipients. – Associated Press
San Diego County reports 568 new COVID-19 cases, 10 more virus deaths
– 7:06 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021
San Diego County Thursday reported 568 new COVID-19 cases and 10 additional virus deaths.
Thursday's data brings the county's cumulative totals to 363,169 cases and 4,151 fatalities.
Meanwhile, the number of COVID patients in county hospitals was 275, with 84 of those patients in intensive care — both figures a decrease of one from the day before, according to the latest state figures.
San Diego County's case rate per 100,000 residents is 15.4 overall, including 8.3 for fully vaccinated people and 25.8 for not fully vaccinated San Diegans, health officials said.
A total of 29,302 tests were reported to the county on Thursday, and the percentage of new positive cases over the past week was 2.8%. – City News Service
FDA panel endorses lower-dose Moderna COVID shot for booster
– 2:21 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021
U.S. health advisers said Thursday that some Americans who received Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine should get a half-dose booster to bolster protection against the virus.
The panel of advisers to the Food and Drug Administration voted unanimously to recommend a booster shot for seniors, adults with other health problems, jobs or living situations that put them at increased risk for COVID-19.
The recommendation is non-binding but it’s a key step toward expanding the U.S. booster campaign to millions more Americans. Many people who got their initial Pfizer shots at least six months ago are already getting a booster after the FDA authorized their use last month.
As for the dose, initial Moderna vaccination consists of two 100-microgram shots. But Moderna says a single 50-microgram shot should be enough for a booster.
The agency convened its experts Thursday and Friday to weigh-in on who should get boosters and when for people that received the Moderna and Johnson & Johnson shots earlier this year. – Associated Press
Judge blocks vaccination mandate for California prisons
– 2:20 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 14, 2021
A judge on Wednesday blocked an order due to take effect this week that required California prison employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Kern County Judge Bernard Barmann issued a temporary restraining order that prevents enforcement of the vaccination mandate for guards and peace officers represented by a powerful union while the court weighs a request for a preliminary injunction, the Sacramento Bee reported.
The public health mandate due to take effect Friday will still apply to other employees who work in prisons that have health care facilities.
It is aimed at heading off another coronavirus outbreak like one that killed 28 inmates and a correctional officer at San Quentin State Prison last year.
In total, the virus has killed 240 inmates and 39 prison employees since the start of the pandemic.
However, the California Correctional Peace Officers Association opposes mandates for its members. The group has a lot of influence with the state's Democratic Party-controlled political structure. It contributed $1.75 million to Gov. Gavin Newsom's successful fight against recall.
Newsom has a reputation as one of the strongest proponents of vaccine mandates among state governors. His administration had ordered all state employees, including those in prisons, to be vaccinated or have regular COVID-19 testing.
Yet Newsom was opposed when last month a federal judge ordered that all employees entering California prisons be vaccinated or have a religious or medical exemption. The ruling by U.S. District Judge Jon Tigar did away with an option for prison employees to avoid vaccination and instead undergo frequent COVID-19 testing. – Associated Press
San Diego County now 80% vaccinated against COVID-19, 89% partially vaccinated
– 7:11 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021
A total of 2,242,203 San Diegans, 80% of those eligible, are now fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency announced Wednesday, placing San Diego among the most vaccinated counties in the state and the nation.
More than 2.5 million people, or 89.2% of San Diegans 12 and older, are partially vaccinated.
Vaccine supplies remain plentiful, county officials said, both for those seeking initial doses and boosters for those who received the Pfizer vaccine and meet the criteria.
The county also reported 333 new cases of COVID-19 and four new virus- related deaths Wednesday, bringing the county's cumulative totals to 362,618 cases and 4,141 deaths since the pandemic began. – City News Service
FDA analysis of J&J COVID vaccine booster sets the stage for public hearing
– 3:48 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021
A Food and Drug Administration analysis of Johnson & Johnson's application for authorization of its COVID vaccine booster tees up deliberations at a public meeting of agency advisers Friday. The document was posted Wednesday.
The questions that will be put before the committee will include whether the data supports the safety and effectiveness of a booster dose of the company's COVID vaccine after at least two months have elapsed since initial immunization with the one-shot vaccine and whether the data shows that there is a stronger response at a six-month interval as well.
J&J has asked for an authorization of a booster for people 18 and older six months after initial immunization, with an option to vaccinate after two months depending on local conditions and the needs of specific groups of people.
The company says its data shows sustained protection against severe COVID, hospitalization and death remain strong for at least six months.
In the case for a booster, the company points to studies that found a booster dose resulted in 94% efficacy against moderate to severe COVID in the U.S. compared with 70% for a single dose. – Scott Hensley, NPR
A study of COVID vaccine boosters suggests Moderna or Pfizer works best
– 3:45 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 13, 2021
If you got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine as your first COVID-19 shot, a booster dose of either the Moderna or Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine apparently could produce a stronger immune response than a second dose of J&J's vaccine. That's the finding of a highly anticipated study released Wednesday.
And if you started out with either Pfizer or Moderna, it probably doesn't matter that much, the research suggests, as long as you get one of the two mRNA vaccines as a booster.
The study, which was sponsored by the National Institutes of Health, involved 458 volunteers. They were divided into nine groups with roughly 50 volunteers in each group. Those who initially got the two-dose Moderna vaccine got either another Moderna shot, a Pfizer shot or a Johnson & Johnson shot as a booster four to six months after their primary immunization.
People who got the two-dose Pfizer vaccine got either another Pfizer shot or a Moderna or J&J booster. And people who got the one-shot J&J vaccine either got another J&J shot or a Moderna or Pfizer booster.
The researchers then measured antibody levels in all of those people two weeks and four weeks after the boost. The results were very interesting. – Rob Stein, NPR
San Diego County reports 683 new COVID-19 cases, 11 new deaths
– 5:35 p.m., Monday, Oct. 11, 2021
San Diego County Monday reported 683 new cases of COVID-19 and 11 new virus-related deaths.
Monday's COVID numbers brought the county's cumulative totals to 361,719 cases and 4,124 deaths since the pandemic began.
The number of COVID patients in county hospitals decreased from 288 on Sunday to 268, with 80 of those patients in intensive care, down from 85 the day before, according to the latest state figures.
A total of 27,010 tests were reported to the county on Monday, and the percentage of new positive cases over the last week is 2.9%. – City News Service
California coronavirus death count tops 70,000 as cases fall
– 5:30 p.m., Monday, Oct. 11, 2021
California's coronavirus death toll reached another once-unfathomable milestone — 70,000 people — on Monday as the state emerges from the latest infection surge with the lowest rate of new cases among all states.
Last year at this time, cases in the state started ticking up and by January California was in the throes of the worst spike of the pandemic and was the nation’s epicenter for the virus. Daily deaths approached 700.
The latest surge started in summer and was driven by the delta variant that primarily targeted the unvaccinated. At its worst during this spike, California’s average daily death count was in the low 100s.
Data collected by Johns Hopkins University showed the state with 70,132 deaths by midday Monday. It's the most in the nation, surpassing Texas by about 3,000 and Florida by 13,000, although California’s per capita fatality rate of 177 per 100,000 people ranks in the bottom third for the U.S. – Associated Press
San Diego County reports 528 new COVID-19 cases, no new deaths
– 10:10 a.m., Monday, Oct. 11, 2021
San Diego County has reported 528 new cases of COVID-19 and no new virus-related deaths, one day after the county Health and Human Services Agency announced that an unvaccinated woman was the first pregnant San Diego person to die from the virus.
Also on Saturday, the number of COVID patients in county hospitals increased from 284 on Friday to 288, with 85 of those patients in intensive care, up from 83 the day before, according to the latest state figures.
The pregnant woman died last week after being hospitalized, as did her unborn child. Her age and other details about her death and pregnancy were not being reported to protect her family's privacy.
"This is a very unfortunate death, and our sincere condolences go out to the family and friends of the deceased," said Dr. Seema Shah, medical director of HHSA's Epidemiology and Immunization Services branch. "Contracting COVID-19 during pregnancy puts you at greater risk of having serious complications and death.
"We urge anyone who is pregnant and unvaccinated to get immunized to protect themselves and their babies," Shah said. – City News Service
Merck asks US FDA to authorize promising anti-COVID pill
– 10:08 a.m., Monday, Oct. 11, 2021
Drugmaker Merck asked U.S. regulators Monday to authorize its pill against COVID-19 in what would add an entirely new and easy-to-use weapon to the world's arsenal against the pandemic.
If cleared by the Food and Drug Administration — a decision that could come in a matter of weeks — it would be the first pill shown to treat COVID-19. All other FDA-backed treatments against the disease require an IV or injection.
An antiviral pill that people could take at home to reduce their symptoms and speed recovery could prove groundbreaking, easing the crushing caseload on U.S. hospitals and helping to curb outbreaks in poorer countries with weak health care systems. It would also bolster the two-pronged approach to the pandemic: treatment, by way of medication, and prevention, primarily through vaccinations. – Associated Press
First COVID-related death in a pregnant San Diegan reported
– 2:46 p.m., Friday, Oct. 8, 2021
A San Diego woman is the first pregnant resident to die from COVID-19, the County Health and Human Services Agency (HHSA) announced Friday.
The woman and her unborn child died earlier this week after being hospitalized. She had not received a coronavirus vaccine, the agency said.
The HHSA put out a health alert to the medical community Oct. 6 about a reported rise in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations among unvaccinated pregnant people.
There have been 253 laboratory-confirmed cases among pregnant people from June 1 to Sept. 30. Two hundred and three were not fully vaccinated while 50 were fully vaccinated. Thirty-one individuals required hospitalization; 30 of those hospitalized were not fully vaccinated.
In a health advisory sent late September, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends COVID-19 vaccines for those expecting before, during or after pregnancy. – Lara McCaffrey, KPBS Web Producer
San Diego County reports 415 new COVID-19 cases, 7 virus deaths as flu season looms
– 6:53 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021
San Diego County reported 415 new cases of COVID-19 and seven virus-related deaths Thursday, as the public health community prepares for the double threat of coronavirus and influenza.
During the first day of operation of the new Scripps Health vaccination station at the Del Mar Fairgrounds on Wednesday, 1,000 Pfizer COVID- 19 vaccine booster shots and 500 influenza vaccine were provided to Scripps patients and employees.
A report from the county released this week found 167 influenza cases have been recorded so far in the community, well above the prior three-year average of 102 cases at the same time. Last year, only five flu cases had been reported at this point. This week's figure puts the current flu season more in line with busier seasons recorded in 2017-18 and 2019-2020.
Meanwhile, Thursday's COVID numbers brought the county's cumulative totals to 359,883 cases and 4,111 deaths since the pandemic began.
The number of COVID patients in county hospitals decreased from 327 on Wednesday to 310 Thursday, with 88 of those patients in intensive care, according to state figures. – City News Service
Pfizer officially asks the FDA to authorize its COVID vaccine for kids aged 5-11
– 2:57 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021
Pfizer and BioNTech are officially asking the Biden administration to authorize the use of their COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11.
Pfizer tweeted on Thursday that the companies had submitted their formal request for Emergency Use Authorization of the vaccine to the Food and Drug Administration.
"With new cases in children in the U.S. continuing to be at a high level, this submission is an important step in our ongoing effort against #COVID19," the pharmaceutical giant said.
The submission is the latest development in the push to expand use of the vaccine to younger children, a process being closely watched by many anxious parents as the new school year gets underway.
The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine has full FDA approval for people ages 16 and older, and those between the ages of 12 and 15 can get the shot under the current emergency use authorization.
The application was widely expected after Pfizer and BioNTech submitted data to the government last month showing that their vaccine produced a "robust" antibody response in kids from 5-11 and had "favorable" safety outcomes.
The FDA has scheduled a meeting with an independent advisory committee for Oct. 26 to discuss Pfizer's request to authorize its vaccine for children aged 5-11. – Joe Hernandez, NPR
San Diego County reports 387 new COVID-19 cases, 12 deaths
– 12:32p.m., Thursday, Oct. 7, 2021
San Diego County reported 387 new cases of COVID-19 and 12 deaths in its latest data as the fully vaccinated rate approached 80% of eligible residents.
More than 4.82 million vaccine doses have been administered in San Diego County, with 2.48 million people — or 88.7% of eligible county residents — having received at least one dose. Fully vaccinated county residents number more than 2.23 million, or around 79.4% of the county's eligible population in reports released Wednesday.
Wednesday's numbers brought the county's cumulative totals to 359,537 cases and 4,104 deaths since the pandemic began.
In the past 30 days, there were 293 COVID-19 hospitalizations. Of these, 285 people were not fully vaccinated and eight were fully vaccinated.
The number of COVID patients in county hospitals decreased from 338 on Tuesday to 327 Wednesday, with 82 of those patients in intensive care, according to state figures.
A total of 22,455 tests were reported to the county, and the percentage of new positive cases was 1.7%. The 14-day rolling percentage of positive cases among tests is 2.5%. – City News Service
The White House will spend an additional $1 billion on rapid at-home COVID tests
– 3:52 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 6, 2021
The White House is allocating an additional $1 billion to purchase millions of rapid at-home tests for COVID-19, in response to an ongoing national shortage of these tests. The announcement was made by White House COVID-19 response coordinator Jeffrey Zients at a briefing on Wednesday.
The money follows a $2 billion investment in September to supply rapid tests to community health centers, food banks and schools.
These are over-the-counter swab tests people can purchase at the pharmacy and take at home. They test for antigens, or proteins on the surface of the virus, and can provide fairly reliable results in 15 minutes, especially in people who are symptomatic. – Joe Neel, Pien Huang, NPR
San Diego City Council establishes tenant legal defense fund for COVID-19 impact
– 7:05 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021
The San Diego City Council Tuesday approved Mayor Todd Gloria's proposal to establish a $5 million legal defense fund to help struggling tenants potentially facing eviction due to non-payment of rent during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The legal aid program is intended to use $5 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funds to provide eviction- prevention education and legal assistance. It will be administered by the San Diego Housing Commission and open to undocumented residents.
The San Diego City Council Tuesday approved Mayor Todd Gloria's proposal to establish a $5 million legal defense fund to help struggling tenants potentially facing eviction due to non-payment of rent during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The legal aid program is intended to use $5 million in federal Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act funds to provide eviction- prevention education and legal assistance. It will be administered by the San Diego Housing Commission and open to undocumented residents. – City News Service
San Diego County reports 658 new COVID-19 cases, 2 deaths
– 5:53 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021
San Diego County reported 658 new cases of COVID-19 and two new virus-related deaths Tuesday.
The number of COVID patients in county hospitals increased from 329 on Monday to 338, with 87 of those patients in intensive care, according to state figures.
Tuesday's numbers brought the county's cumulative totals to 359,167 cases and 4,092 deaths since the pandemic began.
A total of 18,805 new tests were logged by the county on Tuesday, and the percentage of positive cases over the past 14 days was 3.6%. – City News Service
J&J seeks US clearance for COVID-19 vaccine booster doses
– 2:31 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021
Johnson & Johnson asked the Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday to allow extra shots of its COVID-19 vaccine as the U.S. government moves toward expanding its booster campaign to millions more vaccinated Americans.
J&J said it filed a request with the FDA to authorize boosters for people 18 and older who previously received the company's one-shot vaccine. While the company said it submitted data on several different booster intervals, ranging from two to six months, it did not formally recommend one to regulators.
Last month, the FDA authorized booster shots of Pfizer’s vaccine for older Americans and other groups with heightened vulnerability to COVID-19. It’s part of a sweeping effort by the Biden administration to shore up protection amid the delta variant and potential waning vaccine immunity. – Matthew Perrone, Associated Press
San Diego County reports 390 new COVID-19 cases, 9 deaths
– 6:51 p.m., Monday, Oct. 4, 2021
San Diego County reported 390 new cases of COVID-19 and nine new virus-related deaths Monday.
A total of 12,378 new tests were logged by the county on Monday, and the percentage of positive cases over the past 14 days was 3.6%.
Boosters are now available for those who qualify at about 400 locations countywide. Fully vaccinated people who contract "breakthrough" infections were advised to talk with their doctor about boosters. – City News Service
San Diego County reports 343 new COVID-19 cases, no deaths
– 11:01 a.m., Monday, Oct. 4, 2021
San Diego County reported 343 new cases of COVID-19 today, but no new virus-related deaths in its most recent data.
The number of COVID patients in county hospitals decreased from 337 on Saturday to 325, with 99 of those patients in intensive care, according to state figures.
Sunday's numbers brought the county's cumulative totals to 358,126 cases and 4,081 deaths since the pandemic began.
A total of 38,100 new tests were logged by the county on Friday, and the percentage of positive cases over the past 14 days was 3.5%. The county does not report the number of new lab tests on weekends. – City News Service
San Diego County reports 756 new COVID-19 cases, 3 deaths
– 6:40 p.m., Friday, Oct. 1, 2021
San Diego County public health officials reported 756 new COVID-19 cases and three additional virus-related deaths Friday.
Friday's report brought the county's cumulative totals to 357,254 cases since the pandemic began, while fatalities increased to 4,081.
A total of 38,100 new tests were logged by the county Friday, and the percentage of positive cases over the past 14 days was 3.5%. – City News Service
California pushes 1st US vaccine mandate for schoolchildren
– 1:15 p.m., Friday, Oct. 1, 2021
California has announced it will enact the nation’s first coronavirus vaccine mandate for schoolchildren.
Gov. Gavin Newsom said Friday that the state aims to have all students in seventh through 12th grades vaccinated by next fall once the shots gain final federal approval for everyone 12 and over.
The Democratic governor says he expects the U.S. government to give that final sign-off sometime next year. Now, the shots have emergency authorization for those 12 to 15.
Newsom has been one of the most aggressive governors on coronavirus restrictions. He seems to have been emboldened after easily defeating a recall effort last month fueled by anger over his handling of the pandemic. — Associated Press
