Duke University, already working below lockdown to fight an increase in coronavirus infections, on Tuesday reported 231 instances from final week, nearly as many as the varsity had your complete fall semester.
“This was the highest number of positive cases reported in a single week,” the varsity mentioned in a statement. “The individuals who tested positive have been placed in isolation, while those identified as potential contacts have been placed in precautionary quarantine.”
The college issued a “stay in place” order Saturday, requiring college students dwelling in Duke-provided housing to stay of their residence corridor room or house always besides for important actions associated to meals, well being or security. Students dwelling off campus are required to remain there besides for a number of exceptions.
Rush occasions by unaffiliated fraternities seem like the principle wrongdoer for the outbreak.
“This (stay-in-place) action is necessary to contain the rapidly escalating number of COVID cases among Duke undergraduates, which is principally driven by students attending recruitment parties for selective living groups,” the college mentioned.
Also within the information:
►The White House mentioned Tuesday that greater than 22 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines will likely be distributed within the subsequent seven days, a brand new excessive that might ship the every day common over 3 million for the primary time. Of that complete, 16 million doses can be distributed to the states and the remainder to federally administered packages, together with mass vaccination websites, retail pharmacies and group well being facilities.
►More states are permitting all adults to get vaccinated. Mississippi joined Alaska on Tuesday in opening the vaccine eligibility flood gates. Ohio’s governor mentioned Tuesday the vaccine will likely be out there to anybody within the state 16 and older by the tip of March, and Connecticut is getting ready to open to all 16 and over beginning April 5.
►The seven-day rolling common for every day new instances within the U.S. decreased over the previous two weeks from 67,570 on March 1 to 55,332 on Monday, whereas the common for every day deaths on those self same dates dropped from 1,991 to 1,356, based on Johns Hopkins University knowledge.
►Rep. John Katko, R-N.Y., is asking on President Joe Biden to declare “National COVID-19 Vaccination Awareness Day” as a one-time federal vacation to advertise and encourage vaccination efforts nationwide.
►China has approved a fifth vaccine for emergency use, a three-dose vaccine with one month each between shots. China has been slow in vaccinating its population of 1.4 billion people, with 65 million doses administered. Most went to health care workers, those working at the border or customs, and specific industries.
📈 Today’s numbers: The U.S. has over 29.4 million confirmed coronavirus cases and more than 535,600 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins University data. The global totals: More than 120 million cases and 2.65 million deaths. Nearly 143 million vaccine doses have been distributed in the U.S. and more than 110.7 million have been administered, according to the CDC.
📘 What we’re studying: Vaccine passports must be free, non-public and safe, the White House has mentioned. But who will be issuing them?
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US experts question EU decision to suspend AstraZeneca vaccine
Sweden on Tuesday joined the growing number of European nations suspending use of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine — a list that includes Germany, France, Spain and Italy — because of reports about a possibly link to blood clots that the company and other experts say likely are unrelated to the vaccine.
The short-term pause has been branded as irresponsible by U.S. scientists, who say it threatens the worldwide vaccination effort.
“It creates the notion that these vaccines are harmful,” said Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. “The solely approach out of this pandemic is by vaccination.”
The World Health Organization has urged nations to proceed utilizing the vaccine, saying there isn’t any proof of a connection to blood clots. Canadian well being authorities not solely reaffirmed their perception that the AstraZeneca vaccine is secure, however on Tuesday modified their suggestion so the drug is out there to individuals 65 and over as nicely.
Offit mentioned taking the AstraZeneca vaccine off the market with out robust supporting proof might adversely impression the notion of different vaccines. “While it’s easy to scare people, it’s very hard to unscare them,” he mentioned.
Texas, which lifted COVID restrictions, has third-lowest vaccination fee within the nation
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott talked about the state’s vaccination tempo as a motive to raise his masks mandate and COVID restrictions efficient final week, saying in a March 2 tweet that, “Texas is OPEN 100%.” He didn’t mention that Texas trails most states in vaccination rate.
A USA Today analysis of the most recent CDC data shows only Georgia and Alabama rank below Texas in the percentage of residents receiving at least one vaccine dose. Texas’ rate of 19%, which is tied with Tennessee, gets dwarfed by neighboring New Mexico, which leads all states at 30%.
The brutal winter storm that paralyzed components of Texas in February one of many causes the state has fared so poorly, however removed from the one one. In a subscription-only story, the Austin American-Statesman — a part of the USA TODAY NETWORK — factors out Texas has flouted federal tips for vaccine eligibility and finest practices for an equitable rollout.
Shh, no screaming on the curler coaster
California theme-park operators are desperate to welcome again thrill-ride fans — as long as they’ll stay quiet.
Theme parks located in counties not in the state’s most restrictive reopening tier will be allowed to resume operations starting April 1, and some of the measures to avoid transmitting the coronavirus include limiting screaming and shouting. That may prove difficult in roller coasters, but it’s part of the reopening blueprint of the California Attractions and Parks Association.
The group’s list of COVID safety protocols includes social distancing, capacity reduction and requiring the use of masks on rides “to mitigate the results of shouting.”
It in all probability would not be any enjoyable to scream whereas carrying a masks anyway.
Moderna begins testing vaccine with youngsters as younger as 6 months
Moderna has given the primary COVID-19 vaccine doses to kids below 12 years of age, the corporate introduced Tuesday. The Massachusetts-based biotech firm intends to recruit 6,750 wholesome youngsters below 12 for the trial. “This pediatric study will help us assess the potential safety and immunogenicity of our COVID-19 vaccine candidate in this important younger age population,” mentioned Stéphane Bancel, CEO of Moderna.
The firm joins Pfizer and BioNTech in beginning trials for kids 6 months and older, after knowledge confirmed the vaccines are efficient in older adults.
“We need vaccines for children because we want to generate herd immunity, there’s no question. But we need to do that safely,” mentioned Dr. Robert Frenck, director of the Gamble Vaccine Research Center and principal investigator for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine trial at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center.
Learn more here about what experts think of giving the COVID-19 vaccine to children.
Hagler’s widow: Marvelous Marvin didn’t die from response to vaccine
The widow of Marvelous Marvin Hagler dismissed as “nonsense” Internet rumors that her husband, the previous middleweight champion who died over the weekend, died from a response to the coronavirus vaccine. The hypothesis appeared to unfold after an Instagram publish from fellow former boxer Thomas Hearns, who was considered one of Hagler’s rivals within the ring. The anti-vaccine contingent ran with the story, prompting Kay Hagler to publish her message.
“For sure wasn’t the vaccine that caused his death,” Kay Hagler posted within the Marvelous Marvin Hagler Facebook fan group. “My baby left in peace with his usually smile and now is not the time to talk nonsense.”
– Chris Bumbaca
COVID security measures in place for upcoming begin of Olympic torch relay
The Olympic torch relay begins March 25, marking the beginning of the countdown to the Tokyo Games and offering a motive to fret for a few of Japan’s 126 million individuals.
Even although Japan’s roughly 8,600 COVID-19 deaths are a remarkably low complete for a rustic of its inhabitants, the prospect of huge crowds spreading the coronavirus has generated robust opposition to holding the rescheduled Olympics this summer time. A resolution is predicted quickly on whether or not followers from overseas will likely be allowed to attend.
Organizers are taking a number of measures to guarantee the protection of the relay, which begins at northeastern Fukushima prefecture and can crisscross Japan for months, with 10,000 runners carrying the torch. Fans watching alongside the roadsides will likely be requested to maintain social distance, put on masks and cheer quietly.
In pandemic, smallest joys can have greatest impression
The pandemic took a lot this previous 12 months – greater than we’re able to greedy, not to mention tallying. It took jobs and experiences, weddings and graduations, security and certainty. It took the bottom under our ft. It took many individuals we love. But the pandemic gave, too. It granted time, and many individuals relished it. People discovered new hobbies, new views, new connections. Some individuals discovered themselves. USA TODAY heard from greater than a dozen individuals who mentioned even among the many horror and loss, they felt grateful for the pandemic’s sudden presents. The smallest joys, they mentioned, had a big effect. Read more here.
– Alia E. Dastagir
Back to high school, 6 ft aside? 3 ft may be ok, examine exhibits
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is exploring whether or not kids have to be seated 6 ft aside in faculties. The 6-feet spacing guideline is “among the biggest challenges” faculties face in returning to lecture rooms, mentioned CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky.
A examine printed final week within the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases prompt that, if masks are worn, college students will be seated as shut as 3 ft aside with no elevated danger to them or academics. Illinois and Massachusetts are amongst states already permitting 3 ft of distance, and others together with Oregon are contemplating it.
Dan Domenech, government director of AASA, a nationwide superintendents group, mentioned he expects to see extra states and faculties transfer to the 3-feet rule in coming weeks.
“There are districts that have been doing 3 feet for quite some time without experiencing any greater amount of infection,” he mentioned.
Which vaccine must you select? There are some variations
If you get the selection, which COVID-19 vaccine must you select? For now, consultants are clear — the perfect vaccine is the primary one you will get into your arm. But as the availability expands, it’s potential Americans finally would possibly discover somebody asking, “Which vaccine do you want?”
The reply for most individuals will nonetheless be, “Whatever’s available.” That mentioned, there are variations that would play a job, although medical doctors are unanimous all three at present licensed vaccines work extraordinarily nicely to guard in opposition to extreme illness, hospitalization and loss of life. Read about the difference here.
Thousands of Latinos have been sterilized within the twentieth century. They bear in mind
As COVID-19 vaccine rollout continues, hesitancy amongst weak communities, together with Hispanic individuals, is piqued – and history is unearthed.
Throughout the twentieth century, about 20,000 men and women have been sterilized in California alone below state eugenics insurance policies, based on researchers, together with University of Michigan professor Alexandra Minna Stern. The insurance policies focused sufferers of state-run asylums or group houses. A disproportionate quantity have been Hispanic.
Angelina Zayas, a pastor at Grace and Peace Community Church that serves Chicago’s majority-Hispanic Belmont Cragin enclave, says many Puerto Rican girls in her group are afraid to take the COVID-19 vaccine, citing recollections of the sterilizations and experiments.
“The biggest one is fear,” mentioned Zayas, who’s Puerto Rican herself. “That’s something that they remember, which affects their judgment in getting the vaccination. They’re like, ‘Well, how can I trust?'” Read more here.
– Nada Hassanein
Vaccine passports must be a factor. But who will concern them?
The federal authorities should not be concerned in verifying that folks have been vaccinated in opposition to COVID-19, the White House says, however whatever process is developed should be free, private and secure.
As extra individuals are vaccinated, each right here and around the globe, it would possible grow to be extra essential to offer proof of vaccination – to get on a airplane or a cruise ship, maintain sure jobs, and even take pleasure in an evening out. Israel already has a “green card” to show individuals have been vaccinated.
While Americans want a strategy to reliably exhibit that they’ve been vaccinated, the federal government shouldn’t be the one issuing such a certification, mentioned Andy Slavitt, White House Senior Advisor for COVID-19 response.
“It’s not the role of the government to hold that data,” Slavitt mentioned.
– Elizabeth Weise and Karen Weintraub
Winter storm interrupts vaccinations in Colorado, Wyoming
After a “crippling” winter storm dumped up to 4 feet of snow within the Rocky Mountains — closing roads and canceling flights — the storm raced into the Midwest and sparked thunderstorms within the South. The end result? Interference with COVID-19 vaccines, officers mentioned.
Federal officers shut down vaccine shipments to the area because the storm neared so the vials packed in dry ice wouldn’t spoil throughout delays, Wyoming Department of Health spokeswoman Kim Deti mentioned. The storm additionally was retaining many individuals from attending to vaccine places, Deti famous.
“We think they’ll be at least a couple of days,” Deti mentioned. “Nobody is quite sure when things will be cleared and reopened.”
Contributing: The Associated Press
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