Phoenix: The delta variant is now the dominant COVID-19 strain in A...

Jul

25

2021

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By Troy Warren

Phoenix: The delta variant is now the dominant COVID-19 strain in Arizona, researcher says

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Stephanie Innes | Alison Steinbach | Arizona Republic Troy Warren for PhoenixNewsAndTalk.Com The highly contagious delta variant appears to be the dominant strain of the COVID-19 virus in Arizona, mirroring what's happening nationwide. "We are finding delta pretty much everywhere now," said David Engelthaler, director of the infectious disease branch of the Arizona-based Translational Genomics Research Institute. "It is officially our dominant strain and likely will remain that way until and unless another variant shows up that can spread even faster than delta." What that means for Arizonans who aren't vaccinated or don't have immunity to COVID-19 is that they are at higher…

Jul

20

2021

By Troy Warren

Surging delta variant accounting for 83% of U.S. COVID cases

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By Tim Darnell - Atlanta Journal-Constitution The Associated Press Troy Warren for CNT Health officials say the delta variant of the coronavirus continues to surge and accounts for an estimated 83% of U.S. COVID-19 cases. That’s a dramatic increase from the week of July 3, when the variant accounted for about 50% of genetically sequenced coronavirus cases. “The best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 variants is to prevent the spread of disease, and vaccination is the most powerful tool we have,” said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, during a U.S. Senate hearing…

Jul

16

2021

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By Troy Warren

Largest nurses union calls on CDC to reinstate mask recommendation

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By Nancy Clanton, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Troy Warren for CNT Letter cites concerns over the emergence of delta and lambda variants The country’s largest nurses union wants the public to put their masks back on — even if they’re vaccinated. The National Nurses Union is calling on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta to reinstate its recommendations that people wear a face mask when around people who are not part of their household. “The Covid-19 pandemic is far from over,” the union wrote in a letter to CDC Director Rochelle Walensky. “In the United States, the CDC reports a 16.0 percent…

Jul

14

2021

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By Troy Warren

Mayo Clinic’s advice on exercising after COVID-19

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By Mayo Clinic News Network Troy Warren for CNT Should you work out inside or outside? Is it OK to exercise without a mask? DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I am in my early 40s. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I didn’t get as much exercise and I gained some weight. I now feel like I have less energy. I was previously infected with COVID-19. Is it safe to start exercising again in a crowded gym so that I can work out, lose some weight and gain some energy? Should I wear a mask? ANSWER: Regular physical activity and structured exercise can benefit people of all…

Jul

14

2021

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By Troy Warren

New lambda variant of COVID: What you should know

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Jessica Rendall | CNET.Com Troy Warren for CNT The lambda variant is the latest to be dubbed a "variant of interest" by the WHO. Is it worth being worried about in the US? As the coronavirus continues to mutate and wreak havoc, some variants that pop up are more contagious, lead to more severe disease, and are therefore more concerning than others. Variants such as alpha and (especially) deltahave proved to be more transmissible and potentially lead to more hospitalizations than the original virus. But until a variant begins circulating in communities or squares up against coronavirus vaccines, there's a lot of guesswork involved…

Jul

13

2021

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By Troy Warren

US Government Officials Working to Ease COVID-19 Related Travel Restrictions

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DONALD WOOD | TravelPulse.Com Troy Warren for CNT Despite remaining concerns from health officials, United States Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo revealed she continues to press for the government to ease coronavirus-related travel restrictions on people entering the country. According to Reuters.com, business groups, lawmakers and officials from foreign governments have been advocating for the relaxation of tough restrictions previously put in place during the height of the pandemic. Raimondo revealed that she met with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra on Friday about the possible expanded reopening of international travel, saying, “We’re working it, I’m pushing really hard.” “The CDC is…

Jul

11

2021

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By Troy Warren

Vaccinated teachers and students don’t need masks, CDC says

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By MIKE STOBBE and COLLIN BINKLEY, Associated Press Troy Warren for CNT Guidance reportedly calls for schools to fully reopen in fall NEW YORK — Vaccinated teachers and students don’t need to wear masks inside school buildings, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday in relaxing its COVID-19 guidelines. The changes come amid a national vaccination campaign in which children as young as 12 are eligible to get shots, as well as a general decline in COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths. “We're at a new point in the pandemic that we're all really excited about," and so it's time to…

Jul

10

2021

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By Troy Warren

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

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By Helena Oliviero - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution | Johnny Edwards - The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Troy Warren for CNT As the highly contagious delta variant spreads in Georgia, the number of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations is ticking upward, particularly in pockets of the state with low vaccination rates. Though only slight so far, the increase mirrors trends seen in other states. Dr. Cherie Drenzek, Georgia Department of Public Health epidemiologist, said she was concerned about the rise of the delta variant. It was first identified in India in December and detected in Georgia in May. She said people who haven’t been vaccinated are most…

Jul

05

2021

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By Troy Warren

CDC UPDATE: Delta variant will become predominant COVID strain

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By Tim Darnell, Atlanta Journal-Constitution Troy Warren for CNT States with highest unvaccinated numbers will be most at risk: ex-FDA executive Despite a recent White House victory lap over 300 million vaccine shots administered in President Joe Biden’s first 150 days, the highly contagious delta variant continues threatening the U.S., especially in states with the lowest vaccination numbers. On Sunday, Scott Gottlieb, former commissioner of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, told CBS’ “Face the Nation” the Biden administration needs a new vaccine strategy. “Connecticut, for example where I am, shows no upsurge of infection, but Mississippi, Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, show…

Jul

04

2021

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By Troy Warren

Biden sees virus ‘independence,’ but COVID takes no holiday

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Yahoo NEWS Troy Warren for CNT WASHINGTON (AP) — After nearly six months in office, grappling with a pandemic every step of that way, President Joe Biden was determined to party. “This is a holiday weekend,” Biden declared on Friday as he parried journalists’ “negative” questions about the ongoing U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan, “I’m going to be celebrating it.” Biden wants Americans to celebrate too, after enduring 16 months of disruption in the pandemic and more than 605,000 deaths. The White House encouraged gatherings and fireworks displays all around the country to mark — as though ripped from…

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