As the world marks New Year's Eve, celebrations are muted by omicron
– 01:56 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31, 2021
Good riddance to 2021. Let 2022 bring fresh hope.
That was a common sentiment as people around the world began welcoming in the new year.
In many places, New Year's Eve celebrations were muted or canceled for the second straight year due to a surge of coronavirus infections, this time driven by the highly contagious omicron variant. — Associated Press
Omicron is spreading at lightning speed. Scientists are trying to figure out why
– 01:55 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31, 2021
In late November, more than 110 people gathered at a crowded Christmas party at a restaurant in Oslo. Most of the guests were fully vaccinated. One had returned from South Africa just a few days earlier and was unknowingly carrying the omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2.
Ultimately, about 70% of the partygoers were infected.
Scientists who traced this super spreader event concluded it was evidence that omicron was "highly transmissible" among fully-vaccinated adults. — Will Stone, NPR
As omicron heats up in the U.S., South Africa says its wave is on the way out
– 01:53 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31, 2021
Coronavirus restrictions have been loosened in South Africa as case numbers wane in the country, though the government says that there is still reason for caution.
"All indicators suggest the country may have passed the peak of the fourth wave at a national level," the government said in a statement Thursday, adding that the risk of infection remains "given the high transmissibility of the omicron variant."
South Africa was the first country to detect the omicron variant in November, and the subsequent wave drove the country's seven-day rolling average of daily cases more than 70 times higher — from 327 on Nov. 17 to 23,437 a month later. — Eric McDaniel, NPR
Navy ship bound for San Diego sidelined by COVID-19
– 01:51 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31, 2021
A Navy ship is on route to San Diego, after a COVID outbreak on the ship was discovered. It’s the second outbreak this month.
Roughly one third of 300 crew members on board the USS Halsey tested positive for COVID-19. The outbreak was discovered December 10, just as the destroyer was set to change home port from Hawaii to San Diego. All of the crew members who tested positive showed no symptoms or mild symptoms.
None of the sailors were hospitalized or sent to the emergency room. All of the affected crew members were on board the Halsey when it left Hawaii for San Diego Sunday, according to Lt. Sam Boyle, spokesman for the Third Fleet. — Steve Walsh, KPBS Military and Veterans Reporter
San Diego County reports 5,976 COVID-19 cases, officials urge small New Years celebrations
– 05:14 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021
The dramatic surge in COVID-19 cases continued Thursday, with 5,976 new infections reported and county public health officials urging residents to keep New Year's celebrations small.
County health officials urged limiting gatherings to family and close friends who are vaccinated and boosted, if eligible, to prevent the surge of COVID-19 cases that occurred last winter.
"We get it. People are tired of the pandemic, but given the record number of cases, the brisk emergence of Omicron and the increased risks that come with gatherings, San Diegans must continue to make decisions to protect themselves and others," said Dr. Cameron Kaiser, county deputy public health officer. "If you have New Year's celebrations, limit them to people who live with you and make sure everyone present uses the strategies we know work." — City News Services
California prisons fight virus outbreaks amid staff concerns
– 05:12 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021
With a new and more infectious coronavirus variant sweeping California, attorneys representing inmates say violations of health orders by prison staff risk a repeat of the outbreaks that killed dozens in the first year of the pandemic.
Gov. Gavin Newsom's administration is fighting a federal judge's order that all California prison workers must be vaccinated against the coronavirus or have a religious or medical exemption. The administration argues in part that frequent testing can help limit the virus's spread.
But large percentages of employees who are required to be tested twice weekly aren't doing so, “and most of those workers face no consequences,” inmates' attorneys said in a recent court filing, citing figures that officials now say are suspect. — Don Thompson, Associated Press
Americans fume as the pandemic scrambles New Year's Eve celebrations again
– 12:11 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021
When Pam Mandel got the phone call this week that her cousin couldn't make the trip to Seattle to share New Year's Eve with her, she said it felt like a low blow.
"I have to tell you, I laughed because it was so weirdly predictable given how bad things have been," Mandel said.
The omicron variant is making the New Year's holiday hard for millions of Americans. As infections surge around the country, celebrations have been canceled. — Brian Mann, NPR
New COVID studies show promise for the Johnson & Johnson vaccine booster
– 12:08 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021
Two new studies of a Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine booster showed promise against the omicron variant at a time when public health officials are urgently recommending booster shots against the fast-spreading variant.
One study was conducted in some 69,000 health care workers in South Africa. Results showed the vaccine reduced hospitalizations by 85% when comparing people who got two doses of the J&J vaccine to people who had a single dose.
Unlike Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which require two initial doses before a booster six months later, Johnson & Johnson is a single shot that can be followed by a booster dose after at least two months for people 18 and older. — Joe Palca, Dana Farrington, NPR
San Diego County reports 3,653 COVID cases, 11 deaths
– 12:05 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 30, 2021
San Diego County reported 3,653 new COVID-19 cases and 11 deaths in its most recent data as public health officials continue to urge people to take precautions such as masking before New Years Eve celebrations.
This is the highest number of new cases reported since Jan. 7 of this year, when 4,550 cases were reported.
The most recent data, reported Wednesday, increased the county's cumulative totals to 420,089 cases and 4,461 deaths. — City News Service
The CDC slashes estimates of omicron's prevalence in the U.S.
– 05:20 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021
Alarms that the hyper-contagious omicron variant accounted for the vast majority of new COVID-19 infections over the past couple of weeks were significantly overestimated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
New data released on Tuesday shows that while omicron remains the dominant variant, delta — which is the more severe strain — is still a worrisome driving force behind the current surge.
The CDC had previously reported that as of Dec. 18, 73% of new cases were linked to omicron. But on Tuesday, the agency revised those figures, slashing that estimate to 23% — a 50-point drop, suggesting that while the new variant was on the rise, it was not infecting people at the rate the CDC had projected. — Vanessa Romo, NPR
San Diego libraries have free rapid tests, but they are going fast
– 05:18 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021
The demand for coronavirus testing is rising, but some people are having trouble finding where to get results quickly. Some San Diego libraries are giving out free, rapid COVID-19 tests thanks to a new partnership with San Diego County.
The rapid tests provide results within minutes. They are being distributed to libraries throughout the San Diego region including county branches and libraries in the cities of San Diego, Chula Vista, Carlsbad, Escondido, Coronado and Oceanside.
A county spokesperson said the partnership was focusing on locations that are not close to testing facilities. Some library sites are already out of tests and at the El Cajon branch Wednesday the kits were going quick. — Matt Hoffman, KPBS Health Reporter
The U.S. hits a record number of new COVID cases
– 12:51 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2021
The omicron variant is spreading rapidly all over the country, but hospitalization and death rates remain relatively low.
The seven-day average of COVID-19 cases topped 280,000 this week, according to data from Johns Hopkins University's tracker. It's a record number of new cases in the country; the last time the number of cases hit a peak close to that was January.
Public health officials including Dr. Anthony Fauci and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky say the new variant appears less severe than ones in the past but still emphasize the need to follow public health protocols like getting vaccinated and wearing a mask to curb the spread of the virus. — Deepa Shivaram, NPR
California 1st state to top 5M cases amid omicron surge
– 05:15 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021
California became the first state to record more than 5 million known coronavirus infections, according to the state dashboard Tuesday, which was delayed by the holiday weekend.
The grim milestone, as reported by the California Department of Public Health, wasn’t entirely unexpected in a state with 40 million residents poised for a surge in new infections amid holiday parties and family gatherings forced indoors by a series of winter storms.
The first coronavirus case in California was confirmed Jan. 25, 2020. It took 292 days to get to 1 million infections on Nov. 11 of that year, and 44 days from then to top 2 million. — Associated Press
New CDC isolation guidelines raise concerns among health experts
– 05:00 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021
More than 200,000 people are testing positive for COVID-19 in the U.S. each day. Until this week, a positive test meant you should stay home for 10 days to avoid infecting others. Now, those who don't have symptoms after five days can go back to their regular activities, as long as they wear a mask, according to updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The change in guidance released Monday was "motivated by science demonstrating that the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of illness," according to the CDC.
CDC director Dr. Rochelle Walensky says the change was also motivated by economic and societal concerns. "With a really large anticipated number of cases [from omicron], we also want to make sure we can keep the critical functions of society open and operating," she told NPR Tuesday. "We can't take science in a vacuum. We have to put science in the context of how it can be implemented in a functional society." — Pen Huang, NPR
San Diego County follows CDC guidance, asymptomatic COVID patients to isolate 5 days
– 05:00 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021
Despite a dramatic surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations over the weekend, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency Tuesday followed the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance recommending people testing positive for the virus isolate for just five days, rather than the previous 10.
This guidance, which also aligns with the California Department of Public Health, applies to those who are asymptomatic. In addition to the decreased isolation period, the new recommendation says COVID-19 patients with no symptoms must wear a mask for another five days when around other people.
"The county is following the CDC guidance because science shows the majority of SARS-CoV-2 transmission occurs early in the course of illness, typically 1-2 days prior to developing symptoms and the 2-3 days after," said Dr. Wilma J. Wooten, county public health officer. "People with no symptoms can leave isolation after that, provided they wear an appropriate mask to decrease the risk to others." — City News Service
For a musician in New York City, not being fully vaccinated comes at a cost
– 12:53 p.m. Monday, Dec. 27, 2021
New York City's strict vaccine requirements get even stricter as of Monday. Everyone 12 years old and up now has to show proof of full vaccination to dine in at restaurants, go to the movies, work out in gyms, or attend any kind of indoor performance.
For Beata Moon, a composer, pianist and teaching artist in Queens, that means she will not be able to perform a recital in February at Musica Reginae, a community concert space.
She cannot attend a March concert at Carnegie Hall, where a piece she composed, setting the words of people experiencing homelessness to music, will be performed. — Andrea Hsu, NPR
'We just do not have enough players': More bowl games canceled as COVID cases surge
– 12:50 p.m. Monday, Dec. 27, 2021
For the second year in a row, college bowl games are being canceled as coronavirus case counts climb. Rosters are also depleted by injuries and players either opting out of games or transferring to other schools.
On Sunday, three more schools announced that they wouldn't participate in bowl games.
The University of Virginia Cavaliers dropped out of Wednesday's Wasabi Fenway Bowl "due to the number of COVID cases impacting its roster, preventing safe participation," the Fenway Bowl said in a statement announcing the game's cancellation. — Matthew S. Schwartz, NPR
FEMA wants to give families up to $9,000 for COVID funerals, but many don't apply
– 12:49 p.m. Monday, Dec. 27, 2021
BOSTON — When Wanda Olson's son-in-law died in March after contracting COVID-19, she and her daughter had to grapple with more than just their sudden grief. They had to come up with money for a cremation.
Even without a funeral, the bill came to nearly $2,000, a hefty sum that Olson initially covered. She and her daughter then learned of a federal program that reimburses families up to $9,000 for funeral costs for loved ones who died of COVID-19.
Olson's daughter submitted an application to the Federal Emergency Management Agency, received a deposit by June and was able to reimburse her mother the $1,974. — Associated Press
3 members of K-pop sensation BTS have tested positive for COVID-19
– 12:48 p.m. Monday, Dec. 27, 2021
SEOUL, South Korea — Three members of the K-pop superstar group BTS have been infected with the coronavirus after returning from abroad, their management agency said.
RM and Jin were diagnosed with COVID-19 on Saturday evening, the Big Hit Music agency said in a statement. It earlier said another member, Suga, tested positive for the virus on Friday.
All three took their second jabs in August, the agency said. — Associated Press
Intimate portraits of a hospital COVID unit from a photojournalist-turned-nurse
– 12:47 p.m. Monday, Dec. 27, 2021
Alan Hawes pulls up images on his computer that are raw and intimate, like the anguished eyes of a 72-year-old man in a hospital bed, trapped behind a mask.
"He was extremely scared, and I think that comes across in the photo," says Hawes.
"He's just kind of looking into the lens like, 'Help me.' " — Victoria Hansen, NPR
COVID-19 outbreaks hit 3 cruise ships as Florida breaks record for new cases
– 12:45 p.m. Monday, Dec. 27, 2021
MIAMI — A COVID-19 outbreak took place on a South Florida-based cruise ship for the third time this week, as the number of coronavirus cases in Florida hit its highest level since the start of the pandemic.
An undisclosed number of passengers and crew aboard the Carnival Freedom cruise caught the virus so the ship was denied entry to Bonaire and Aruba, Carnival said in a statement.
The ship has 2,497 passengers and 1,112 crew members and was scheduled to return to Miami on Sunday following an 8-day cruise. Passengers were required to be vaccinated and they were tested before leaving last Saturday, according to Carnival. — Associated Press
Once again, COVID means scaled-back Christmas celebrations around the world
– 12:44 p.m. Monday, Dec. 27, 2021
From Bethlehem and Frankfurt to London and Boston, the surging coronavirus put a damper on Christmas Eve for a second year, forcing churches to cancel or scale back services and disrupting travel plans and family gatherings.
Drummers and bagpipers marched through Bethlehem to smaller than usual crowds after new Israeli travel restrictions meant to slow the highly contagious omicron variant kept international tourists away from the town where Jesus is said to have been born.
In Germany, a line wound halfway around Cologne's massive cathedral, not for midnight Mass but for vaccinations. The offer of shots was an expression of "care for one's neighbor" that was consistent with the message of Christmas, cathedral provost Guido Assmann told the DPA news agency. — Associated Press
More than 5,000 flights have been canceled worldwide this Christmas weekend
– 12:40 p.m. Monday, Dec. 27, 2021
The holiday season travel stress has only escalated amid the rise of the omicron variant. Several airlines are reporting staff shortages from the spread of the coronavirus, leaving passengers with delayed or canceled flights.
According to the flight tracker Flight Aware, 997 flights within, into or out of the United States were canceled on Christmas. Another 888 flights have been canceled so far on Sunday. They're among the more than 5,000 flights canceled worldwide this weekend.
Hundreds of the delayed and canceled flights are coming from China Eastern and Air China, but U.S.-based airlines such as Delta, United and JetBlue are also seeing high cancellation numbers. — Deepa Shivaram, NPR
Fauci says New York was right to ease quarantine rules for health care workers
– 12:15 p.m. Monday, Dec. 27, 2021
Dr. Anthony Fauci, President Biden's chief medical adviser, is praising New York officials for lowering the number of days health care workers must remain in quarantine after having COVID-19.
The state announced on Christmas Eve that fully vaccinated health care staff and other essential workers can return to work five days after a positive coronavirus test if they meet certain safety standards. Previously they had to remain out for 10 days.
"You need the health care workers. And when you have them out for the full 10 days, and you do that over a wide swath of people, you can have a situation where you really do not have enough health care workers," Fauci told NPR's Morning Edition on Monday. — Joe Hernandez, NPR
Yet another COVID surge has San Diego businesses back on the brink
– 12:09 p.m. Monday, Dec. 27, 2021
Many were hoping the worst was behind them, but the emergence of the highly contagious omicron variant is again putting the breaks on business as usual in San Diego County.
Most recently, the impacts of the latest COVID-19 wave could be found at the airport. Both United and Delta airlines canceled flights over the holiday weekend due to spikes in cases among their employees.
And on a corner of San Diego’s Mission Hills neighborhood, Heartwork Coffee Bar is closed. — Kitty Alvarado, KPBS
San Diego County sees increase in COVID-19 hospitalizations
– 12:08 p.m. Monday, Dec. 27, 2021
The number of San Diego County residents hospitalized with the coronavirus increased from 332 to 355, while the number of those patients in intensive care declined from 94 to 92, according to the latest state figures.
Those numbers come three days after local health officials reported 2,336 new cases of COVID-19 and eight additional deaths associated with the virus, as the county awaits its first doses of two medications intended to treat the virus. Thursday's data increased the county's cumulative totals since the pandemic began to 405,705 infections and 4,442 deaths.
The county Health and Human Services Agency does not report COVID-19 data on weekends or holidays, so no updates were provided Friday, Saturday or Sunday. — City News Service
Omicron surge sets records as flight disruptions continue
– 12:06 p.m. Monday, Dec. 27, 2021
The spike of COVID-19 cases has disrupted travel, entertainment and sports even as thousands around the U.S. stood in line for tests and some hospitals and health care facilities started to face staffing crunches as the pandemic wears on.
After thousands of domestic and international flights were canceled over the Christmas weekend, the disruption carried into the new week with more than 1,400 flights scrubbed worldwide as of Monday morning, data tracking site FlightAware reported.
The omicron surge was also affecting the cruise industry. At least four cruise liners were turned away from ports or not allowing passengers to disembark, CNN reported. — NPR
Insurance companies dispute retroactive part of California's COVID testing bill
– 2:31 p.m. Friday, Dec. 24, 2021
An association of insurance companies filed a legal action asking a judge to invalidate a provision in Senate Bill 510 that requires health plans and health insurers to pay for workplace COVID-19 testing performed retroactively to March 4, 2020, when a state of emergency was declared due to the coronavirus.
The petition was brought Thursday in Los Angeles Superior Court by the Association of California Life and Health Insurance Companies against Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara and Attorney General Rob Bonta. The ACLHIC is a trade association representing six full-service insurers that provide health care coverage to approximately two million Californians through individual and group markets.
A state Department of Insurance representative issued a statement Friday morning in response to the petition. – City News Service
County reports 2,336 new COVID-19 cases as new medications on the way
– 8:19 a.m. Friday, Dec. 24, 2021
San Diego County public health officials have reported 2,336 new COVID-19 cases and eight additional deaths associated with the virus, as the county awaits its first doses of two medications intended to treat the virus.
Thursday's data increased the county's cumulative totals since the pandemic began to 405,705 infections and 4,442 deaths.
The Food and Drug Administration issued emergency use authorizations for two new oral antiviral medications. However, supplies of these medications "will initially be very limited and San Diegans should continue to mask up this holiday season to prevent infection," a statement from the county Health and Human Services Agency said.
The county expects its first shipment of Pfizer's Paxlovid in the next few days. A second oral antiviral, Merck's molnupiravir, is expected to start arriving in the region soon afterward, according to the HHSA. – City News Service
Omicron blamed for up to 70% of cases in parts of California
– 7:07 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021
The highly contagious omicron variant is evident in 50% to 70% of new coronavirus cases in parts of the most populous state heading into the holidays, California health officials said Thursday.
Omicron has quickly become the most common form of the coronavirus in the U.S., accounting for 73% of all cases, federal officials said in the latest nationwide estimate Monday. The U.S. recorded its first confirmed omicron infection just three weeks ago in a San Francisco resident who had recently traveled to South Africa.
It is now being “detected at increasing proportions in wastewater in multiple regions throughout California,” the California Department of Public Health said.
At least three of the state's health systems have reported that about 50% to 70% of their coronavirus cases are consistent with omicron, the department said without naming the systems. – Associated Press
Holidays and omicron lead to long lines at testing sites
– 6:15 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021
The line at the City Heights Recreation Center testing site on Thursday wrapped around the building, down the street to the baseball field.
Among those in line is Chula Vista resident Kylie Krueger — she and her family waited for nearly an hour. But Krueger said it's worth it to make sure they're only spreading holiday cheer during their Christmas gathering.
"We want to make sure ... especially at a time like this when we’re close to our loved ones that we’re not infecting any of them," she said. – Kitty Alvarado, KPBS General Assignment Reporter
WATCH: Gov. Newsom announces new state actions to address omicron variant
– 10:50 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021
Extra learning time is helping these students catch up from COVID interruptions
– 10:42 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021
It's 4:30 in the afternoon, and the fall colors in the trees are glowing as the sun drops low over the sprawling, historic campus of Grimsley High School in Greensboro, N.C. Dozens of students are waiting outside the cafeteria.
One of them is sophomore Dreshon Robinson. He wants to be a music engineer someday. He loves Adele and Bruno Mars. But right now, he's working evenings in a restaurant. And Monday through Thursday after school, he comes to Grimsley High school's "learning hub."
Here, from 4:30 to 6 p.m., there are certified teachers to help with any subject Dre needs. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, there's free dinner too – maybe Chick-fil-A or pizza – and a bus to take you home. — Anya Kamenetz, NPR
A shot at gold, a swearing in, and a tech get-together are all thwarted by omicron
– 10:38 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021
Cities across the globe are in the grip of a renewed COVID-19 crisis, as the omicron variant triggers new coronavirus case spikes that many hoped were in the past.
In the U.S., the alarming surge in infections is prompting city leaders and heads of companies to withdraw from public events that would inevitably draw large crowds and potentially expose more people to the virus. It has even moved the NHL to announce it will keep players from participating in the upcoming Winter Olympics in Beijing. — Vanessa Romo, NPR
The vaccines work against severe disease. Here's why boosters are still a good idea
– 10:34 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021
Two shots of a vaccine — whether it's Pfizer or Moderna — do still offer protection against severe disease, researchers in South Africa have found. In a study with about 78,000 omicron cases, getting two shots of Pfizer cut a person's risk of hospitalization by about 70% across all age groups. That's compared with a 90% reduction of risk with the delta variant, but it does indicate that the vaccines are still working really well to keep people out of the hospital. The effectiveness against omicron seems to hold up in older people as well, although it declines a bit, to about 60%.
But when it comes to stopping an infection, two shots isn't enough, the researchers found. The vaccine's effectiveness against an infection with omicron was only about 30%, which means breakthrough infections will be extremely common with this new variant. — Michaeleen Doucleff, NPR
Prisoners sent to home confinement because of the pandemic might remain free
– 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021
The Justice Department has reversed course in a legal analysis, which could allow thousands of people released from prison at the start of the pandemic to remain free once the coronavirus emergency ends.
In a rare reconsideration, the department's Office of Legal Counsel issued a new legal opinion concluding the Bureau of Prisons "has discretion to permit prisoners in extended home confinement to remain there."
Attorney General Merrick Garland asked the OLC to reconsider the issue after personally reviewing the law. The move comes after months of intense pressure from a coalition of advocates across the political spectrum, who had urged the Department of Justice and the White House to reconsider. — Carrie Johnson, NPR
FDA authorizes 1st antiviral pill for COVID
– 10:17 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021
In a highly anticipated decision, the Food and Drug Administration authorized the first antiviral pill to treat COVID-19 at home.
The pill, called Paxlovid, is made by Pfizer. It's taken twice a day for five days in combination with a second medicine called ritonavir, a generic antiviral.
"Today's authorization introduces the first treatment for COVID-19 that is in the form of a pill that is taken orally — a major step forward in the fight against this global pandemic," said Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the FDA's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research. "This authorization provides a new tool to combat COVID-19 at a crucial time in the pandemic as new variants emerge and promises to make antiviral treatment more accessible to patients who are at high risk for progression to severe COVID-19." — Scott Hensley, NPR
Omicron will cause more infections but lower hospital rates, analysis shows
– 10:07 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021
A new analysis by the University of Washington shows the omicron surge will peak in a massive wave of infections by the end of January but is likely to produce far fewer severe illnesses for most people.
The analysis projects the omicron wave will infect more than 400,000 people a day in the U.S. when it crests in about six weeks. That's far more than the 250,000 people who caught the virus every day at the peak of last winter's surge.
But the researchers estimate that most of those who catch omicron won't get sick or will only get mildly ill. As a result, the rate of people getting hospitalized and dying from omicron will be much lower, the analysis concludes. — Rob Stein, NPR
Newsom: All California health care workers mandated to get COVID booster shot
– 10:03 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021
All California health care workers, who were mandated earlier this year to get vaccinated against COVID-19, will also be required to get a booster shot, the governor announced Tuesday.
Gov. Gavin Newsom made the announcement on his social media channels with a post saying, "With omicron on the rise, we're taking immediate actions to protect Californians and ensure our hospitals are prepared."
Full details of the mandate are expected to be released during a formal announcement Wednesday. — City News Service
San Diego County reports 819 new COVID cases, 12 deaths
– 09:58 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021
San Diego County public health officials reported 819 new COVID-19 cases and 12 additional deaths associated with the virus in their latest data, as UC San Diego announced it was returning to remote instruction in light of surging Omicron cases.
Tuesday's data increased the county's cumulative totals since the pandemic began to 401,475 infections and 4,424 deaths.
The number of coronavirus patients in San Diego County hospitals decreased by eight people to 343, according to the latest state figures. Of those patients, 94 were in intensive care, one more than Monday. — City News Service
Some colleges and universities will start the new year online as omicron spreads
– 09:54 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021
School's out for the holidays, and some colleges will start the new year remote due to the threat posed by the omicron variant.
At least seven campuses of the University of California system will begin the next semester with distance learning and intend to use that time to ramp up their testing capacity.
"The emergence of this new and fast-moving variant, coupled with student travel to and from campus and the prevalence of gatherings over the holidays, will present our campuses with a unique set of public health challenges as we begin the New Year," University of California president Michael V. Drake wrote in a letter to UC chancellors. — Joe Hernandez, NPR
CSU to require COVID booster shots for students, faculty, staff
– 09:52 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021
The California State University announced Wednesday that faculty, staff and students who are accessing university facilities or programs will be required to get a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot.
Students and employees will be permitted to seek exemptions on medical and religious grounds.
"Vaccination, including a booster when eligible, remains our most effective strategy against infection and severe disease," CSU Chancellor Joseph Castro said. "This is particularly important in light of the rapid rise of cases of COVID-19 throughout the state and nation as the Omicron variant spreads. Implementing the booster requirement now will help mitigate the potential spread of the variant on campuses as they repopulate in January after the winter break." — City News Service
UC San Diego temporarily returning to online instruction as omicron surges
– 09:52 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021
In anticipation of a wave of omicron variant COVID- 19 cases, UC San Diego will move its instruction to remote-only from Jan. 3-17, the school announced Tuesday.
Chancellor Pradeep Khosla made the announcement following a letter from UC President Dr. Michael Drake to the 10 UC chancellors asking them "to design and implement a plan for a January return to campus that mitigates public health impacts, responds to the unique circumstances facing your campus, and maintains our teaching and research operations."
UCSD will close for its winter break on Wednesday. Khosla said that during the break he plans to "incrementally populate the campus using a more comprehensive testing regimen." — City News Service
Biden tests negative for COVID-19 after recent exposure
– 09:48 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021
President Biden has tested negative for COVID-19, the White House said.
The PCR test was done after a White House staff member — who had flown with Biden on Air Force One on Friday — tested positive for COVID on Monday. The staff member, who was fully vaccinated and boosted, experienced symptoms on Sunday. Biden had tested negative on Sunday and Monday, but was tested again on Wednesday as a precaution.
The results come the day after Biden talked about his latest plans for the highly contagious omicron variant — and tried to reassure vaccinated people about breakthrough cases. — Tamara Keith, NPR
Gloria approves Biden's focus on vaccination amid omicron surge
– 09:45 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2021
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria on Tuesday said he agreed with President Joe Biden's speech on the latest resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic, particularly Biden's focus on vaccinations.
"This president understands that the way out of the pandemic is through vaccines. Vaccines are safe, effective, free and widely available," Gloria said. "Everyone who is eligible to get vaccinated and boosted should do so as soon as possible to protect their families, neighbors and communities."
San Diego County's case rates have risen significantly in the last several days, with more than 1,000 cases reported three of the last four days, the first time that has happened since the summer spike. — City News Service
Biden to announce free COVID tests, more aid for hospitals to deal with omicron
– 10:42 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021
With COVID-19 again surging in the U.S. because of the omicron variant, the White House will announce on Tuesday several new steps to address the risks posed by the highly contagious variant.
Most notably, the government plans to buy a half-billion at-home COVID test kits and mail them to people who want them, with deliveries beginning in January, a senior administration official told reporters Monday, previewing the speech.
It's a major step to tackling problems Americans have faced in easily accessing free at-home COVID tests throughout the pandemic.
In a speech set for 2:30 p.m. ET, Biden will share more details of his new plan that will also aim to provide more aid to overwhelmed hospitals and expands capacity to vaccinate more Americans. – Jaclyn Diaz, NPR
California more prepared for latest surge of new virus cases
– 10:40 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 21, 2021
California is poised for a surge in new coronavirus infections as a far more contagious version of the disease spreads among holiday parties and family gatherings forced indoors by a series of winter storms.
But experts say the nation's most populous state is likely to avoid the worst scenario — spikes in hospitalizations and deaths — because most Californians have either been vaccinated or already been infected. That gives the state a higher level or protection against the omicron variant that, while not guaranteeing people won't get sick, means they are less likely to need to go to the hospital.
“It's a highly transmissible respiratory virus and people are going to get it. And they are going to get it every winter,” said Dr. Monica Gandhi, a professor of infectious diseases at the University of California, San Francisco. “We have to go toward measuring our true success with a disease, which is how we're doing with hospitalizations.”
California has fared far better than many other states so far, with areas in the Midwest and Northeast seeing the biggest surge in cases and hospitalizations amid frigid temperatures that have kept people indoors. – Associated Press
San Diegans get COVID tested ahead of holiday travels
– 04:23 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20, 2021
Chula Vista's COVID testing site at City Hall was busy Monday, with many people looking to get tested ahead of holiday gatherings.
This testing site was free and open for walk-ins.
"With everyone getting together with their families, I needed to make sure I'm good," Christian Martinez, a Chula Vista resident, said. — Alexandra Rangel, KPBS
Omicron sweeps across nation, now 73% of US COVID-19 cases
– 02:17 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20, 2021
Omicron has raced ahead of other variants and is now the dominant version of the coronavirus in the U.S., accounting for 73% of new infections last week, federal health officials said Monday.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention numbers showed nearly a six-fold increase in omicron's share of infections in only one week.
In much of the country, it's even higher. Omicron is responsible for an estimated 90% or more of new infections in the New York area, the Southeast, the industrial Midwest and the Pacific Northwest. The national rate suggests that more than 650,000 omicron infections occurred in the U.S. last week. — Mike Stobbe, Associated Press
Pfizer, Moderna vaccine boosters capable of producing virus-fighting antibodies against omicron
– 12:17 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20, 2021
The new omicron variant took only a few weeks to live up to dire predictions about how hugely contagious it is but scientists don’t yet know if it causes more severe disease even as the world faces exploding cases just before Christmas.
“Everything is riskier now because omicron is so much more contagious,” said Dr. S. Wesley Long, who directs the testing lab at Houston Methodist Hospital — and over the past week has tried to stay home as much as possible to avoid exposure.
Public health officials are finding it hard to keep up with just how fast omicron is spreading nationally and globally. But in three weeks, omicron now makes up 80% of new symptomatic cases diagnosed by Houston Methodist’s testing sites. It took the also very contagious delta variant three months to reach that level, Long said. — Associated Press
Judge rules against San Diego Unified in vaccine mandate lawsuit
– 12:10 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20, 2021
A judge ruled against the San Diego Unified School District Monday in a lawsuit challenging its vaccine mandate for students.
San Diego Superior Court Judge John Meyer said the district's mandate, which does not permit religious or personal belief exemptions, contradicts state law, because implementing such mandates without exemptions can only be imposed by the state legislature.
Meyer also said that while students are required to receive some vaccinations in order to attend in-person school, adding COVID-19 to the list of required vaccinations without allowing personal belief exemptions is another area that lies only with the state. — City News Service
UCSD reports 'unprecedented' spike in wastewater COVID viral load
– 12:00 p.m. Monday, Dec. 20, 2021
An "unprecedented" spike in COVID-19 viral load in wastewater collected from San Diego County's primary wastewater treatment facility has been noted by UC San Diego School of Medicine researchers.
The amount of COVID-19 virus detected in wastewater has predicted the region's COVID-19 caseload up to three weeks ahead of clinical diagnostic reports, the researchers said Saturday. Since people with COVID-19 shed the virus in their stool even before they experience symptoms, wastewater screening acts as an early warning system.
"The wastewater screening results reported on Friday are unlike any the team has seen before," said Jackie Carr of UC San Diego Health. Both delta and omicron variants of the virus were detected in the wastewater. — City News Service
San Diego County sees slight decrease in COVID-19 hospitalizations
– 11:50 a.m. Monday, Dec. 20, 2021
The number of coronavirus patients in San Diego County hospitals decreased by six people to 365, according to the latest state figures. Of those patients, 94 were in intensive care, three more than Saturday.
County public health officials reported 1,032 new COVID-19 infections and seven additional deaths associated with the virus on Friday, increasing the cumulative totals to 397,374 cases and 4,406 deaths since the pandemic began.
A total of 25,224 new tests were reported to the county on Friday. A total of 4.3% of all tests returned positive over the past week. — City News Service
As omicron surges, nations announce rules on gatherings and travel ahead of holidays
– 11:44 a.m. Monday, Dec. 20, 2021
While health experts promise that we're not living in March 2020 all over again — we have vaccines and other tools now — abrupt new restrictions in some countries are reminiscent of that era.
The Netherlands went into lockdown on Sunday, lasting through Jan. 14, 2022. The new rules urge "everyone stay at home as much as possible," set limits on the number of visitors a household can receive, and limit groups outdoors to two people.
The country's outbreak management team concluded that omicron would be the dominant variant in the country by the end of December – sooner than predicted. With an anticipated rise in hospitalizations, the health care system is expected to become overburdened in January, necessitating the lockdown, the government explained. — City News Service
UCSD reports 'unprecedented' spike in wastewater COVID viral load
– 11:37 a.m. Monday, Dec. 20, 2021
An "unprecedented" spike in COVID-19 viral load in wastewater collected from San Diego County's primary wastewater treatment facility has been noted by UC San Diego School of Medicine researchers.
The amount of COVID-19 virus detected in wastewater has predicted the region's COVID-19 caseload up to three weeks ahead of clinical diagnostic reports, the researchers said Saturday. Since people with COVID-19 shed the virus in their stool even before they experience symptoms, wastewater screening acts as an early warning system.
"The wastewater screening results reported on Friday are unlike any the team has seen before," said Jackie Carr of UC San Diego Health. Both delta and omicron variants of the virus were detected in the wastewater. — City News Service
Pfizer plans to test a third dose of its COVID vaccine on infants and young children
– 3:13 p.m. Friday, Dec. 17, 2021
Pfizer-BioNTech announced Friday that they will expand ongoing clinical trials of their COVID-19 vaccine in children to include a third dose for participants as young as 6 months old.
Testing a third dose will cause a delay in submission of data to regulators to authorize use in the U.S. In the fall, Pfizer's CEO said the company expected to have data for this age group by the end of 2021. Now, the company says that they would expect to file results in the "first half of 2022" if trials are successful.
The companies said two doses did not produce a robust immune response in kids 2 to 5 years old.
The companies, which produced the first vaccine against coronavirus infection authorized for use in the U.S., said they had made the decision "following a routine review by the external independent Data Monitoring Committee," which acts as a watchdog over the clinical trials. – Associated Press
San Diego County reports 578 new COVID-19 cases, four deaths
– 6:19 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021
San Diego County public health officials Thursday reported 578 new COVID-19 infections and four additional deaths, increasing the region's cumulative totals to 396,307 cases and 4,399 deaths since the pandemic began.
The number of coronavirus patients in San Diego County hospitals remained unchanged at 359, according to Thursday's data. Of those patients, 92 were in intensive care, two fewer than Wednesday.
A total of 22,529 new tests were reported to the county on Thursday. A total of 4% of all tests returned positive over the past week.
In light of a statewide increase in cases and hospitalizations, and the spread of the Omicron variant, the California Department of Public Health implemented a renewed mask mandate Wednesday. It will remain in place until Jan. 15.
Among the indoor public spaces affected by the mask mandate will be retail stores, restaurants, theaters, family entertainment centers and government offices that serve the public.
More than 2.72 million San Diego County residents have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, around 86.5% of all eligible residents. More than 2.42 million San Diegans, or 76.9% of eligible residents, are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. In addition, 601,951 booster shots have been administered in the region. – City News Service
New California rules end distinction for vaccinated workers
– 6:11 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021
California workplace regulators on Thursday extended the state's coronavirus pandemic regulations into next year with some revisions that business groups say could worsen the labor shortage.
The main change to the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board's revised temporary rule erases current distinctions between vaccinated and unvaccinated employees.
Both will be prohibited from the workplace if they come in close contact with someone infected with the virus under the rules that will be in effect from Jan. 14 through April 14.
The revised temporary rules require that exposed, vaccinated but asymptomatic workers stay home for 14 days even if they test negative or, if they return to work, to wear masks and stay 6 feet (1.8 meters) from others for two weeks. – Associated Press
Omicron spreads faster than any other variant, WHO says. It's now in 77 countries
– 02:39 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021
If you're worried about the new omicron coronavirus variant, you're far from alone: The World Health Organization is warning that omicron is spreading like no other strain of COVID-19 has before.
"Omicron is spreading at a rate we have not seen with any previous variant," WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said at a news briefing.
Omicron has been found in 77 countries less than a month after it was officially reported. As it announced that figure, the WHO added, "the reality is that omicron is probably in most countries, even if it hasn't been detected yet." – Bill Chappell, NPR
Facing a new flood of COVID patients, Colorado nurses say the stress is unsustainable
– 02:35 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021
Harold Burch lives in a home with a spectacular view in Paonia, a rural part of Colorado's Western Slope. But that's been little consolation to Burch, 60, as he's battled a cascade of health problems during the pandemic.
"It's been a real rodeo," Burch says. "It's been a lot of ups and downs and lately it's been mostly just downers."
Burch has battled chronic osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and had two major intestinal surgeries. One specialist he was seeing left her practice last year. Another wouldn't accept his insurance. Then, Nov. 1, he started experiencing major stomach pain. – John Daley, CPR News
Once labeled the most vulnerable, these San Diego ZIP codes are still seeing high COVID-19 rates
– 12:40 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 15, 2021
Ana Melgoza remembers vividly the pandemic’s early days in South County.
“When you look at who died because of this, and also in terms of the impact at ER rooms and ICU rooms — I mean, we were seeing waits of like three days to get into a hospital,” said Melgoza, vice president of external affairs at San Ysidro Health. “We were very much in high turmoil.”
The South Bay quickly became the hardest-hit part of San Diego County as COVID-19 shut down schools and businesses almost two years ago. Now, it boasts the highest vaccination rates in the region and has served as a model for administering doses to vulnerable populations. – Jennifer Bowman, inewsource Investigative Reporter
San Diego County reports 610 COVID-19 cases, 4 deaths on vaccine anniversary
– 05:35 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021
On the one-year anniversary of San Diego County receiving its first batch of COVID-19 vaccines, the county Health and Human Services Agency on Tuesday reported 610 new viral infections and four deaths.
Tuesday marks one year since the county received its first shipments of COVID-19 vaccinations and the first doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine were administered. Since Dec. 14, 2020, more than 5.86 million doses of the three vaccines now available have been administered throughout the region.
Initially, county vaccination sites and medical providers began vaccinating the more than 620,000 health care professionals who became eligible first. – City News Service
Pfizer data shows that its COVID-19 pill is effective against severe disease
– 11:27 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021
Pfizer released additional data about its pill to treat COVID-19 that shows it was effective in preventing hospitalization and death when taken by people with mild to moderate illness within a few days of first symptoms.
The medicine, called Paxlovid, is taken twice a day for five days in combination with a second medicine called ritonavir, a generic antiviral.
The results from a study involving more than 2,200 people at high risk for developing serious COVID-19 found the drug reduced the risk of hospitalization or death by 89%, compared with a placebo, when taken within three days of first symptoms of illness. When taken within five days, the drug reduced the risk of hospitalization and death by 88%. – Scott Hensley, NPR
Vaccine protection vs. omicron infection may drop to 30% but does cut severe disease
– 11:11 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021
The new coronavirus variant, called omicron, was first identified in South Africa only about a month ago and is already spreading quickly in Europe and North America. It has an exceptionally high number of mutations, and those mutations appear to make it more transmissible than the delta variant.
Now scientists in South Africa have just released the first data looking at how well the vaccines will work against the omicron variant. And the news is mixed.
The study comes from researchers at South Africa's largest private health insurer, called Discovery Health, and the South African Medical Research Council. In the study, described at a press briefing on Tuesday, scientists analyzed data from 78,000 people likely infected with omicron. Nearly half of them had received two doses of the Pfizer vaccine. – Michaeleen Doucleff, NPR
San Diego County reports 487 COVID-19 cases, 11 deaths as mask mandate returns
– 10:47 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2021
San Diego County public health officials reported 487 new COVID-19 infections and 11 deaths in their latest data.
Monday's COVID-19 infections follow a weekend in which 615 new cases were reported on Sunday and 821 on Saturday. The new data increases the county's cumulative totals to 394,461 cases and 4,389 deaths since the pandemic began.
The number of coronavirus patients in San Diego County hospitals increased by five people to 330, according to Monday's data. Of those patients, 91 were in intensive care as of Monday, one more than Sunday. – City News Service
With COVID surging, California mandates indoor mask-wearing through holiday season
– 2:23 p.m. Monday, Dec. 13, 2021
Citing a sharp increase in COVID-19 infection rates since Thanksgiving, the state announced Monday that beginning Wednesday, mask-wearing will become mandatory in all indoor public settings across California regardless of vaccination status.
The mask mandate, mirroring a requirement already in effect in Los Angeles County and select other counties across the state, will remain in place until Jan. 15.
The state will also toughen the restriction for unvaccinated people who attend indoor "mega-events" of 1,000 people or more, requiring them to receive a negative COVID test within one day of the event if it's a rapid antigen test or within two days for a PCR test. The current rules require a test within 72 hours of the event. – City News Service
New omicron COVID-19 case may have been spread locally, County believes
– 6:27 p.m. Friday, Dec. 10, 2021
A man in his 30s is believed to have contracted the Omicron COVID-19 variant locally, the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency announced Friday.
The patient tested positive for COVID-19 on Wednesday. The San Diego Epidemiology and Research for COVID Health Alliance determined it was the Omicron variant through whole genome sequencing late Thursday, making it the second documented case of the variant in the county.
The case was detected through the Expedited COVID Identification Environment lab at UC San Diego.
According to the HHSA, the San Diego County resident did not have a travel history, had mild symptoms which have resolved and did not need to be hospitalized. The man, who was fully vaccinated and had received his booster shot more than two weeks earlier, is currently at home in isolation. – City News Service
San Diego County identifies its first case of Omicron COVID-19 variant
– 3:39 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021
San Diego County identified its first case of the Omicron COVID-19 variant, the county Health and Human Services Agency announced Thursday.
The infection was found in a San Diego resident who had recently traveled abroad. The patient, who had been vaccinated and received a booster, was not hospitalized and is under isolation.
The patient tested positive for the virus on Wednesday, the county reported. The San Diego Epidemiology and Research for COVID Health Alliance then conducted whole genome sequencing and identified the Omicron variant in the positive sample Thursday morning. – City News Service
FDA expands Pfizer COVID booster, opens extra dose to age 16
– 8:48 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 9, 2021
The U.S. is expanding COVID-19 boosters, ruling that 16- and 17-year-olds can get a third dose of Pfizer’s vaccine.
The U.S. and many other nations already were urging adults to get booster shots to pump up immunity that can wane months after vaccination, calls that intensified with the discovery of the worrisome new omicron variant.
On Thursday, the Food and Drug Administration gave emergency authorization for 16- and 17-year-olds to get a third dose of the vaccine made by Pfizer and its partner BioNTech -- if it’s been six months since their last shot. – Associated Press
San Diego County reports slight increase in COVID hospitalizations
– 10:23 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2021
The number of COVID-19 patients hospitalized in San Diego County increased from 296 to 311 in the latest state figures.
Of those patients, 86 were in intensive care on Sunday, a increase of two from Saturday.
San Diego County reported 1,071 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, a relatively high daily number that public health officials believe is the result of Thanksgiving gatherings.
The influx is up from reports in the 600s the previous two days, increasing the county's cumulative total cases to 389,660. On Sept. 10, 1,188 cases were identified.
The county reported one additional death on Monday, increasing the total to 4,352 fatalities since the pandemic began. – City News Service
Federal court lifts injunction against SDUSD vaccine mandate
– 1:43 p.m. Monday, Dec. 6, 2021
The San Diego Unified School District's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for students has been upheld by a federal appeals court, which lifted a temporary injunction it placed on the mandate last week.
"Today, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals followed the San Diego Superior Court in denying an `emergency' attempt to halt the mandate. The 9th Circuit agreed San Diego Unified is acting in the best interest of students, as opposed to discriminating on the basis of religion, as the plaintiffs had claimed," the district tweeted Saturday.
"Students and their families are encouraged to visit the district's COVID-19 Vaccine website for answers to frequently asked questions regarding the student vaccine mandate and details on opportunities to get vaccinated for free at school sites," the SDUSD continued.
A 16-year-old Scripps Ranch High School student and her parents had sued to block the mandate on religious grounds. – City News Service
San Diego County reports 1,153 new COVID-19 cases, most since Sept. 10
– 4:50 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, 2021
San Diego County reported 1,153 new COVID-19 cases Friday, a relatively high number that public health officials believe is the result of Thanksgiving gatherings.
The influx is up from reports in the 600s the previous two days, increasing the county's cumulative total cases to 387,203. The last time more than 1,150 cases were reported was Sept. 10, when 1,188 cases were identified.
County health officials believe the upturn is tied to Thanksgiving gatherings and not due to the new Omicron variant, which has not yet been identified in San Diego County. – City News Service
Los Angeles County confirms case of COVID-19 omicron variant
– 4:45 p.m. Friday, Dec. 3, 2021
An unidentified Los Angeles County resident was in isolation, recovering from what was confirmed as the county's first case of the COVID-19 omicron variant originally detected in South Africa and now present in about three dozen countries.
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health confirmed the case late Thursday afternoon, saying the patient is a person who returned to Los Angeles after traveling to South Africa via London on Nov. 22. Health officials said the infection is "most likely travel-related."
The unidentified person is a fully vaccinated adult who lives in Los Angeles County, health officials said. The person is in isolation, with symptoms that "are improving without medical care." A "small number" of close contacts in the Los Angeles area have been identified, and so far all have tested negative for the virus and none are showing any symptoms, officials said. – City News Service
San Diego County reports 652 new COVID-19 cases, 4 additional deaths
– 7:08 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021
San Diego County public health officials reported 652 new COVID-19 infections and four additional deaths associated with the virus Thursday.
Thursday's data increases the county's cumulative totals to 386,050 infections and 4,350 fatalities since the pandemic began.
The number of COVID patients hospitalized in San Diego County increased from 292 on Wednesday to 298, according to the latest state figures. Of those patients, 84 were in intensive care, unchanged from Tuesday.
A total of 22,928 tests were reported to the county on Thursday, with 4.1% returning positive.
The number of county residents who have received at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine is now nearly 2.66 million — or 84.7% of residents age 5 and older.
More than 2.36 million people, or 75.1% of residents 5 and older, are fully vaccinated. Roughly 460,110 San Diego County residents 18 years of age or older have received a booster dose. – City News Service
Judge denies parents group's request to block San Diego Unified's vaccine mandate
– 7:04 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021
A judge denied a temporary restraining order request Thursday from local parents group Let Them Choose to block the San Diego Unified School District's COVID-19 vaccine mandate, though another hearing was scheduled for later this month to revisit the issue.
The group is seeking to suspend enforcement of the district's vaccine policy prior to Dec. 20, when all students over age 16 must receive their second vaccine dose.
Unvaccinated students 16 years or older will be required to take part in remote learning via independent study. By the start of the district's second semester on Jan. 24, unvaccinated students will not be allowed to continue with in-person instruction unless they have an approved medical exemption.
While the district's plan allows for medical exemptions to the mandate, it does not permit religious or personal belief exemptions. – City News Service
Biden's new winter COVID plan will reimburse you for at-home tests
– 6:57 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021
President Biden announced Thursday that private health insurance plans will soon reimburse people who buy over-the-counter, at-home rapid tests for the coronavirus — one of a series of steps the White House is planning in order to encourage better detection and prevention of COVID-19 this winter.
Speaking at the National Institutes of Health, Biden said the measures do not include shutdowns or lockdowns, and instead focus on "widespread vaccinations and boosters and testing."
There was no single blockbuster announcement and no major new mandate or target for rapidly increasing the number of vaccinated Americans. Instead, Biden's plan to fight the coronavirus this winter is a battle of increments: efforts to get booster shots into the arms of all adults and especially seniors, setting up family vaccine clinics, offering more free and lower-cost at-home testing options, stockpiling antiviral pills and readying strike teams to help states with outbreaks. – Tamara Keith, Brian Naylor, NPR
Official: 1st US case of COVID-19 omicron variant identified in California
– 11:53 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021
A person in California became the first in the U.S. to have an identified case of the COVID-19 omicron variant, U.S. officials said Wednesday as scientists continue to study the risks posed by the new strain of the virus.
The Biden administration moved late last month to restrict travel from Southern Africa where the variant was first identified and had been widespread. Clusters of cases have also been identified in about two dozen other nations. Two U.S. officials spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they could not speak on the record.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is taking steps to tighten U.S. testing rules for travelers from overseas, including requiring a test for all travelers within a day of boarding a flight to the U.S. regardless of vaccination status. It was also considering mandating post-arrival testing. – Associated Press
San Diego County reports 567 new COVID-19 cases, 5 more deaths
– 11:52 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 1, 2021
San Diego County public health officials reported 567 new COVID-19 infections and five additional deaths associated with the virus in its latest data.
Tuesday's data increases the cumulative totals to 384,745 infections and 4,340 fatalities since the pandemic began.
The number of COVID patients hospitalized in San Diego County increased, rising from 272 on Monday to 295, according to the latest state figures. Of those patients, 85 were in intensive care, an increase of two from Monday. – City News Service
