COVID-19

December 4, 2021: A look at major COVID-19 developments over the past week

December 4, 2021: A look at major COVID-19 developments over the past week

By Helena Oliviero, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Troy Warren for CNT #COVID-19 The first case of a highly mutated variant has been detected in a Georgia resident, health officials said Friday. The Georgia Department of Public Health said it has been notified of a Georgia resident who had recently returned from South Africa and was in Georgia for two days before traveling to New Jersey where they tested positive. The individual is fully vaccinated and is isolating in New Jersey. Contact tracing is underway there and in Georgia to identify close contacts who are at risk of infection. No more information on…
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Omicron Variant: What Travelers Need To Know

Omicron Variant: What Travelers Need To Know

LACEY PFALZ | TravelPulse.Com Troy Warren for CNT #Travel  #COVID-19   The Omicron variant is the newest COVID-19 variant to gain worldwide attention when it was discovered last week, prompting governments worldwide to close international travel to and from Southern African countries, its region of origin. Already, the U.K. changed its entry requirements for all international travelers, requiring a rigorous testing regime and a self-isolation period. Four of the nation’s largest airports are screening for the Omicron variant among international travelers, while the Biden administration has extended its mask mandate for federal transportation through March 2022 as well as new COVID-19 testing requirements for inbound international travelers. Those new requirements…
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Omicron coronavirus variant found in multiple US states

Omicron coronavirus variant found in multiple US states

By MICHELLE L. PRICE and BOBBY CAINA CALVAN, Associated Press Troy Warren for CNT #COVID-19 The omicron variant of COVID-19 has been discovered in at least five states, showing yet again how mutations of the virus can circumnavigate the globe with speed and ease NEW YORK (AP) — The omicron variant of COVID-19, which had been undetected in the U.S. before the middle of this week, had been discovered in at least five states by the end of Thursday, showing yet again how mutations of the virus can circumnavigate the globe with speed and ease. Just a day after the first…
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Travel Industry Reacts to Biden’s New COVID-19 Travel Requirements

Travel Industry Reacts to Biden’s New COVID-19 Travel Requirements

JANEEN CHRISTOFF | TravelPulse.Com Troy Warren for CNT #Travel  #COVID-19 The travel industry reacted swiftly to the Biden administration's new policies on travel, and while some see the new restrictions as harmful to the industry, many were happy they didn't go farther to include options such as quarantines. On Thursday, December 2, President Biden announced all travelers arriving into the United States must provide a negative COVID-19 test taken within one day of departure, regardless of vaccination status or nationality. He also extended the federal mask mandate into the spring of 2022.  The U.S. Travel Association reminded travelers about the importance of vaccinations…
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Omicron confirmed in man who attended NYC anime convention

Omicron confirmed in man who attended NYC anime convention

NATIONAL & WORLD NEWS Troy Warren for CNT #COVID-19   Health officials say the omicron variant of the coronavirus has been found in a Minnesota man who attended an anime convention in New York City in November NEW YORK (AP) — Just a day after the U.S. announced its first case of the omicron variant of the coronavirus had been detected in California, health officials announced Thursday it was found in a man who attended an anime convention in New York City in late November. The man tested positive after returning home to Minnesota, health officials in that state said. Officials in…
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Latest COVID variant raises urgency for young children to be vaccinated

Latest COVID variant raises urgency for young children to be vaccinated

By Helena Oliviero - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution John Perry - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Troy Warren for CNT #COVID-19  #Health Even before the omicron variant was detected, Georgia parents were taking their time seeking the shots for children As a new and fast-spreading variant sparks global concern, public health officials are renewing calls for adults — and children — to get vaccinated.   But the pace of vaccinating children in Georgia, especially younger children, lags behind the national average. National Institutes of Health Director Francis Collins said this week the new omicron variant makes getting children and teens vaccinated more urgent. Noting vaccines for…
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1st US case of COVID omicron variant confirmed in California

1st US case of COVID omicron variant confirmed in California

By MICHAEL BALSAMO and ZEKE MILLER, Associated Press Troy Warren for CNT #COVID-19 A person in California has become the first in the U.S. to have an identified case of the omicron variant of COVID-19 WASHINGTON (AP) — A person in California who had been vaccinated against COVID-19 became the first in the U.S. to have an identified case of the omicron variant, the White House announced Wednesday as scientists continue to study the risks posed by the new virus strain. Dr. Anthony Fauci told reporters the person was a traveler who returned from South Africa on Nov. 22 and tested positive on…
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World Health Organization Issues Travel Alert Due To New Omicron Variant

World Health Organization Issues Travel Alert Due To New Omicron Variant

LACEY PFALZ | TravelPulse.Com Troy Warren for CNT #Travel  #COVID-19   The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a new travel advisory November 30, recommending individuals older than 60 and people with certain health conditions to postpone their travel plans for the near future due to the Omicron variant of COVID-19. The WHO amended its advice on international travel on November 30, adding a statement saying individuals who are unvaccinated, older or at-risk for severe complications from COVID-19 should postpone their travel. “Persons who are unwell, or who have not been fully vaccinated or do not have proof of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection and…
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World Health Organization Against Omicron Travel Bans

World Health Organization Against Omicron Travel Bans

JANEEN CHRISTOFF | TravelPulse.Com Troy Warren for CNT #Travel  #COVID-19   The World Health Organization praised the countries of South Africa and Botswana for their swift identification of the new Omicron variant of Covid-19 and criticized travel restrictions. "Travel restrictions may play a role in slightly reducing the spread of COVID-19 but place a heavy burden on lives and livelihoods," said WHO's regional director for Africa Matshidiso Moeti in a statement. "If restrictions are implemented, they should not be unnecessarily invasive or intrusive, and should be scientifically based, according to the International Health Regulations, which is a legally binding instrument of…
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Will the vaccines stop omicron? Scientists are racing to find out

Will the vaccines stop omicron? Scientists are racing to find out

By Apoorva Mandavilli, The New York Times Troy Warren for CNT #COVID-19  #Health As nations severed air links from southern Africa amid fears of another global surge of the coronavirus, scientists scrambled Sunday to gather data on the new omicron variant, its capabilities and — perhaps most important — how effectively the current vaccines will protect against it. The early findings are a mixed picture. The variant may be more transmissible and better able to evade the body’s immune responses, both to vaccination and to natural infection, than prior versions of the virus, experts said in interviews. The vaccines may well continue to…
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