COVID-19

Dec
17
2021
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By Troy Warren
Can you safely enjoy the holidays? Experts offer COVID tips

Can you safely enjoy the holidays? Experts offer COVID tips

COVID-19, ,
By CARLA K. JOHNSON, Associated Press Troy Warren for CNT #COVID-19 The delta and omicron variants of the coronavirus are trying to spoil the holiday spirit, but there still are ways to enjoy the festivities The explosive spread of the omicron variant is causing many to wonder if they should cancel their holiday plans. The omicron mutation is expected to overtake the delta variant in the United States within weeks. Health experts know that people need to spend time together, so they are offering advice. Above all, getting vaccinated remains the best defense and getting a booster shot further increases protection.…
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Dec
15
2021
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By Troy Warren
An expert’s take on what omicron tells us about state of the pandemic

An expert’s take on what omicron tells us about state of the pandemic

COVID-19,
By DeeDee Stiepan, Mayo Clinic News Network Troy Warren for CNT #COVID-19 ‘This is becoming a virus that is changing substantially from the original Wuhan virus’ Researchers at Mayo Clinic and around the world continue to monitor the omicron variant and study how it behaves. Dr. Gregory Poland, head of Mayo Clinic’s Vaccine Research Group, who has decades of experience in the field of infectious diseases, offers some insight into what the emergence of omicron tells us about the current state of the COVID-19 pandemic and where it may be headed. “We’re now touching on just about two years of this, we’re…
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Dec
11
2021
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By Troy Warren
December 11: A look at major COVID-19 developments over the past week

December 11: A look at major COVID-19 developments over the past week

COVID-19
By Helena Oliviero - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Ariel Hart - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Troy Warren for CNT #COVID-19 As scientists and public health officials scramble to better understand the new coronavirus variant, omicron, more cases of it are being detected in Georgia. A third Georgian tested positive for COVID-19 with the omicron variant, the state Department of Public Health announced Thursday. This case was an unvaccinated metro Atlanta resident who had not traveled recently, indicating the new variant may be spreading here in the community. The patient has mild symptoms and is isolating at home, according to health officials. The state is tracing…
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Dec
09
2021
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By Troy Warren
Testing for COVID-19 at home

Testing for COVID-19 at home

COVID-19, Health,
By Deb Balzer, Mayo Clinic News Network Troy Warren for CNT #Health  #COVID-19 Mayo Clinic doctor says self-testing should detect omicron variant, but it’s not foolproof The emergence of a new COVID-19 variant, omicron, has heightened safety protocols and plans to help people stay safe from illness as researchers and experts learn more about the newest strain of SARS-CoV-2. This includes plans to expand access to COVID-19 over-the-counter tests for people to use at home in the U.S. “We have good evidence that the testing that we’re using to detect patients who have COVID-19 is going to continue to be effective…
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Dec
07
2021
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By Troy Warren
COVID vaccines more popular ahead of holidays

COVID vaccines more popular ahead of holidays

COVID-19, Health,
By Helena Oliviero - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution J. Scott Trubey - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Troy Warren for CNT #COVID-19  #Health Georgia has seen an uptick in first-time vaccinations and boosters, federal data show, as coronavirus infections continue to grow and as officials raise the alarm about the new omicron coronavirus variant. Though the bump in new vaccinations and booster shots is relatively modest, state and federal health officials hope a post-Thanksgiving surge in shots will improve the safety of upcoming December holidays and gatherings. Booster doses administered in Georgia were up about 14% in the seven days that ended Dec. 3, compared to…
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Dec
07
2021
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By Troy Warren
Omicron v. delta: Battle of coronavirus mutants is critical

Omicron v. delta: Battle of coronavirus mutants is critical

COVID-19, In The News
By LAURA UNGAR and ANDREW MELDRUM, Associated Press Troy Warren for CNT #COVID-19 Scientists are poring over the latest data to try to understand who might win the battle of the coronavirus variants, the world-dominating delta or the latest competitor, omicron As the omicron coronavirus variant spreads in southern Africa and pops up in countries all around the world, scientists are anxiously watching a battle play out that could determine the future of the pandemic. Can the latest competitor to the world-dominating delta overthrow it? Some scientists, poring over data from South Africa and the United Kingdom, suggest omicron could emerge…
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Dec
06
2021
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By Troy Warren
Fauci says early reports encouraging about omicron variant

Fauci says early reports encouraging about omicron variant

COVID-19, In The News
By GENE JOHNSON, Associated Press Troy Warren for CNT #COVID-19  Early indications suggest omicron may be less dangerous than delta U.S. health officials said Sunday that although the omicron variant of the coronavirus is rapidly spreading throughout the country, early indications suggest it might be less dangerous than delta, which continues to drive a surge of hospitalizations. President Joe Biden's chief medical adviser, Dr. Anthony Fauci, told CNN's “State of the Union” that scientists need more information before drawing conclusions about omicron's severity. Reports from South Africa, where it emerged and is becoming the dominant strain, suggest that hospitalization rates have not increased…
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Dec
06
2021
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By Troy Warren
UK To Require Pre-Travel Testing Regardless of Vaccination Status

UK To Require Pre-Travel Testing Regardless of Vaccination Status

COVID-19, Travel, ,
LAURIE BARATTI | TravelPulse.Com Troy Warren for CNT #Travel  #COVID-19 Starting December 7, the United Kingdom (U.K.) will further tighten its entry requirements for inbound foreign travelers, including those coming from non-red-listed countries, such as the United States. The policy alterations are being made in an effort to slow the importation of the Omicron variant, of which 134 cases have already been detected in the U.K. From Tuesday, all international travelers aged 12 and over, regardless of vaccination status, will need to provide proof of a negative pre-departure test—either PCR or lateral flow (LFD)—taken no more than 48 hours prior to their…
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Dec
05
2021
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By Troy Warren
New US COVID Testing Requirements for International Travel Take Effect December 6

New US COVID Testing Requirements for International Travel Take Effect December 6

COVID-19, Travel,
PATRICK CLARKE | TravelPulse.Com Troy Warren for CNT #Travel  #COVID-19   The United States will require all travelers entering the country, regardless of citizenship or vaccination status, to test negative for COVID-19 within one day of departure starting at 12:01 a.m. ET on Monday, December 6. President Joe Biden announced the rollout of the stricter requirements on Thursday in response to the recent discovery of the Omicron variant in South Africa. "All air travelers, regardless of citizenship or vaccination status, will be required to show a negative pre-departure COVID-19 viral test taken the day before they board their flight to the United…
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Dec
05
2021
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By Troy Warren
Omicron-stricken South Africa may be glimpse into the future

Omicron-stricken South Africa may be glimpse into the future

COVID-19, Editors Picks, ,
By ANDREW MELDRUM, Associated Press Troy Warren for CNT #COVID-19  #EditorsPicks The new omicron variant appears to be driving a dramatic surge in South Africa, providing the world a glimpse of where the pandemic might be headed JOHANNESBURG (AP) — Dr. Sikhulile Moyo was analyzing COVID-19 samples in his lab in Botswana last week when he noticed they looked startlingly different from others. Within days, the world was ablaze with the news that the coronavirus had a new variant of concern — one that appears to be driving a dramatic surge in South Africa and offering a glimpse of where the pandemic might be headed. New COVID-19…
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