Tag: officials

  • Health officials: 4 cases of omicron variant detected in DC

    Health officials: 4 cases of omicron variant detected in DC

    D.C. wellness officials have detected 4 cases of the COVID-19 omicron variant — the initially time the novel pressure has been confirmed in the nation’s cash, immediately after the latest conditions in Maryland and Virginia.

    D.C. wellness officials have detected four conditions of the COVID-19 omicron variant.

    The D.C. Overall health Section mentioned Sunday afternoon that each and every of the four conditions had no recognized connection to just one another. It marked the to start with time the novel strain — initial detected in South Africa and in the weeks since, throughout the globe — has been confirmed in the nation’s funds, following latest situations in Maryland and Virginia.

    District officers explained all 4 contaminated experienced been absolutely-vaccinated just one was eligible for a booster but experienced not but acquired it, when it was unclear irrespective of whether the remaining a few had obtained a booster.

    A person of the four infected is a woman who experienced traveled to Florida and New York. A second and third scenario experienced traveled to Virginia and Maryland for the Thanksgiving holiday, while a fourth scenario had no current journey background.

    The city wellbeing section explained all close contacts of the people have been contacted.

    A news launch from the city asserting the situations pressured the importance of acquiring vaccinated amid the unfold of the variant. D.C. also claimed that residents should carry on to exercise condition prevention strategies these as masking, hand washing and physical distancing from others.

    Any individual 5 and older is suitable to get vaccinated in the District. Those people over 16 who been given their next dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine on or ahead of June 12, 2021, or the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on or in advance of Oct. 12, 2021, are qualified for a booster dose.

    Pfizer and its partner BioNTech explained that even though two doses might not be potent plenty of to prevent infection, lab tests showed a booster improved by 25-fold people’s amounts of antibodies able of battling off omicron. Vaccine makers previously are tweaking their vaccine recipes to generate an omicron-distinct dose in case it’s required.

    Scientists do not but know how massive a menace the omicron variant actually is. Now the further-contagious delta variant is responsible for most of the COVID-19 scenarios in the U.S. and other nations.

    Data from D.C. region state health and fitness companies exhibit COVID-19 an infection fees and hospitalizations mounting given that mid to late November, reversing a downward trend from around the summertime, while it is unclear how much of the uptick can be attributed to the new pressure. Publicly-obtainable data from Maryland continue to be disrupted next a ransomware attack on point out servers.


    Additional Coronavirus News

    Seeking for far more info? D.C., Maryland and Virginia are each releasing extra knowledge each and every day. Go to their formal internet sites below: Virginia | Maryland | D.C.


    WTOP’s Alejandro Alvarez and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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  • COVID-19 in Michigan is ‘critical right now,’ health officials say

    COVID-19 in Michigan is ‘critical right now,’ health officials say

    (WXYZ) — The Point out of Michigan supplied an update on COVID-19 Friday early morning, amid increasing hospitalizations and the 1st confirmed case of the omicron variant detected Thursday.

    Michigan Department of Health and fitness and Human Solutions Director Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS Main Health-related Govt Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, and two medical doctors from other Michigan hospitals spoke at the update.

    They in depth a dire circumstance in Michigan that will come with underneath-common vaccination rates, superior hospitalization prices and superior circumstance fees.

    In accordance to Bagdasarian, conditions are at an all-time substantial, and the condition is looking at the maximum weekly reported situations because the start of the pandemic. There have been 569.2 weekly instances for every 100,000 men and women, and situations are better than this time very last year, and envisioned to increase.

    When it will come to hospitalizations, the point out said inpatient beds with COVID-19 individuals are at an all-time high with 21.5{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of beds, and those people have been increasing for 20 weeks.

    Similar: Michigan requesting more ventilators from feds as COVID-19 hospitalizations soar
    On top of that, fatalities are growing. In accordance to Bagdasarian, 87 persons died just about every day on regular from COVID-19 in the previous week.

    “The condition in our state is essential suitable now. Circumstances are surging, hospitals are whole and we have a new variant,” Bagdasarian stated.

    She said that men and women need to have to get vaccinated, get boosted, wear a nicely-fitting mask in indoor community configurations and get examined.

    As of Wednesday, the point out has 1,368,541 situations of COVID-19 complete and averaged approximately 7,700 instances for each day more than a two-working day time period.

    Michigan also has 4,630 individuals in the healthcare facility with verified or suspected instances of COVID-19 and 59 young children in the healthcare facility with the virus. There are 996 sufferers in the ICU and 601 patients on ventilators.

    The state is in the midst f its fourth surge and has been averaging thousands of situations for every day. The history variety of circumstances was established in November 2020 with practically 9,800 for each working day.

    On Dec. 3, the condition established a file for the range of lively scenarios of COVID-19 with far more than 221,000.

    Supplemental Coronavirus information and facts and assets:

    Look at a global coronavirus tracker with details from Johns Hopkins College.

    See finish protection on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.

    Stop by our The Rebound Detroit, a spot exactly where we are working to assistance folks impacted monetarily from the coronavirus. We have all the facts on every little thing accessible to enable you as a result of this crisis and how to access it.

  • Public Health Officials update COVID-19 Recommendations to K-12 Schools

    Public Health Officials update COVID-19 Recommendations to K-12 Schools

    The Division of Public Overall health is issuing updated recommendations for this academic calendar year centered on the continued climb in COVID-19 cases and the value of the community’s health and fitness and wellness, specially that of pupils, academics and school staff members.

    As a reminder, community educational facilities are matter to observe procedures from their school board and from the Texas Education and learning Agency. Personal educational facilities also abide by principles and regulations from their governing board and take into consideration the Department of Community Wellbeing recommendations to figure out their greatest training course of action.

    “We keep on to collaborate closely with educational facilities, community and private, giving up to date tips that will allow students, lecturers and staff members to be safe and nutritious when at university,” stated City-County Well being Authority Dr. Hector Ocaranza.

    “Our local community is experiencing a surge of conditions among people who are unvaccinated and rising number of people are requiring hospitalization due to COVID-19 issues. What is more regarding is that a huge share of new COVID-19 cases are uncovered in youngsters -18 decades of age. In-college transmission of the COVID-19 virus is imminent, and we require to keep on stopping the distribute by continuing to observe avoidance this sort of as employing a facial area address, working towards social distancing, and making it a pattern to regularly wash your arms.”

    Ocaranza said vaccination towards COVID-19 is the foundation of all preventative actions and strongly suggested that all eligible individuals get vaccinated or full their immunization agenda.

    For these 18 decades of age and more mature who have completed their immunization routine it is also strongly proposed to receive a booster dose of the vaccine at least 6 months just after the previous vaccine dose if you been given the Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.

    Men and women who acquired the Jannsen/J&J shot can obtain their booster 2 months immediately after the vaccine dose.

    Officials strongly proposed that college students, lecturers, and workers put on deal with coverings while indoors.

    “Because an infected particular person can transmit the COVID-19 virus to many others before showing any symptoms, maintaining a person’s nose and mouth coated is needed to support gradual the unfold of the virus inside of educational facilities and all through the neighborhood,” health officials extra.

    The up to date suggestions, which are issue to revisions, can be observed at EPStrong.org under the “Orders” tab and the new current recommendations notably focuses on masks, vaccinations, and holiday break occasions.  Additional COVID-19 information can also be found at EPStrong.org.

    For a lot more details on COVID-19 vaccine or web pages, visit EPCOVIDVaccine.com.

  • EP Public Health Officials update COVID-19 recommendations for K-12 Schools

    EP Public Health Officials update COVID-19 recommendations for K-12 Schools

    Universities, Neighborhood Urged to Proceed Wellness Protocols

    Posted:
    Current:

    AP Photo/LM Otero

    EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – Friday afternoon, officials with the El Paso Department of General public Well being issued updated recommendations for this educational year.

    Officials “strongly advised that learners, lecturers, and team put on deal with coverings whilst indoors.” They extra that their tips were being dependent on the “continued climb in COVID-19 conditions and the relevance of the community’s wellness and wellness, especially that of college students, academics and school workers.”

    Wellbeing officers shared that, mainly because an infected man or woman can transmit the COVID-19 virus to many others in advance of demonstrating any signs, maintaining a person’s nose and mouth covered is important to help gradual the spread of the virus inside of faculties and during the local community.

    For a specific list of tips for elementary, center university and significant college students see “Orders” posted at EPStrong.org.

    Officers did position out, even so, that general public schools are topic to follow policies from their faculty board and from the Texas Instruction Company.

    Personal colleges also abide by policies and rules from their governing board and take into consideration the Section of General public Well being recommendations to ascertain their very best system of motion.

    “We continue to collaborate intently with schools, public and personal, giving current tips that will make it possible for pupils, instructors and staff to be safe and sound and nutritious while at school,” mentioned Town-County Wellness Authority Dr. Hector Ocaranza.

    “Our local community is dealing with a surge of circumstances between these who are unvaccinated and raising quantity of persons are demanding hospitalization owing to COVID-19 troubles.

    What is a lot more regarding is that a large share of new COVID-19 scenarios are found in little ones -18 several years of age. In-faculty transmission of the COVID-19 virus is imminent, and we want to carry on blocking the spread by continuing to observe prevention these as employing a encounter protect, training social distancing, and building it a pattern to frequently wash your palms.”

    Town-County Health and fitness Authority Dr. Hector Ocaranza.

    Ocaranza explained vaccination in opposition to COVID-19 is the basis of all preventative actions and strongly advisable that all qualified persons get vaccinated or comprehensive their immunization timetable.

    For individuals 18 yrs of age and older who have finished their immunization timetable, officials say it is also strongly proposed to obtain a booster dose of the vaccine at least 6 months just after the previous vaccine dose if they been given the Moderna, Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine.

    Folks who obtained the Jannsen/J&J shot can obtain their booster 2 months just after the vaccine dose.

    The up to date suggestions, which officers say are subject to revisions, can be found at EPStrong.org under the “Orders” tab and the new updated recommendations specifically focuses on masks, vaccinations, and vacation functions.

    For far more facts on COVID-19 vaccine or web sites, go to EPCOVIDVaccine.com

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  • AG Knudsen’s office didn’t intimidate hospital officials

    AG Knudsen’s office didn’t intimidate hospital officials

    HELENA — Republican Attorney General Austin Knudsen and his office did not attempt to threaten or intimidate Helena hospital officials or health-care providers when they inquired about a patient’s COVID-19 care last month, says a report released late Monday evening by Republican legislative leadership.

    However, the report did identify a “third public official” who contacted the hospital on the patient’s behalf as state Public Service Commissioner Jennifer Fielder. It said Fielder, a former state senator, argued that the patient should be allowed to have the alternative treatments of Ivermectin and hydroxycholoroquine, and that “if this doesn’t turn out well,” there may be a lawsuit.

    The patient, who had worked for the state Senate in the past, later died from complications of COVID-19.

    The report, prepared by a “special counsel” appointed by GOP leadership, outlined actions taken by Knudsen, a highway patrolman and Deputy Attorney General Kris Hansen in early October, in response to complaints from the patient’s family that she was being denied certain medications and communication with her family.

    Minority Democrats had requested the investigation Oct. 21, after press reports and a statement by St. Peter’s Hospital that its health-care providers had been “harassed and threatened by three public officials.”

    Knudsen and Hansen said they were two of the public officials who spoke to hospital personnel, but denied threatening anyone.

    Also Monday night, Republican legislative leaders said the report produced no evidence that Knudsen had harassed anyone, that he didn’t speak directly to any medical providers and that St. Peter’s CEO said he did not feel threatened in his Oct. 13 conversation with Knudsen and described his discussion as “cordial.”

    “The misleading and outright false political attacks on Montana’s attorney general by Democrats and members of the media must stop,” GOP leaders said in a statement.

    They pointed to a number of newspaper and web-based editorials that had criticized Knudsen and his office for allegedly trying to strong-arm medical personnel into giving the patient certain medications or use the Highway Patrol as a “private police force.”

    The report said the Highway Patrol officer dispatched to the hospital on Oct. 12 never entered the hospital or spoke with medical personnel, and only took information from the patient’s family, in the hospital parking lot.

    Democratic leaders said they plan to hold a news conference Tuesday morning, to respond to the report.

    The investigation and report were produced by Abra Belke, a lawyer who worked for legislative Republicans during the 2021 Legislature and who later was appointed as the Legislature’s “special counsel,” a new position created this year by Republicans with broad powers to investigate government officials and agencies.

    Read the full report:

  • Health officials recommend tips for safe Thanksgiving, holiday gatherings | Local

    Health officials recommend tips for safe Thanksgiving, holiday gatherings | Local

    With the first major holiday of the season next week, health officials are offering tips for staying safe from COVID-19 while gathering with loved ones or traveling.

    Cowlitz County’s COVID-19 case rate is higher than it was this time last year, “which means it is important to continue taking steps to keep ourselves and our loved ones healthy,” said Dr. Steven Krager, county deputy health officer.

    The county recorded 322 new COVID-19 cases per 100,000 people from Oct. 28 to Nov. 10, compared to about 282 new cases per 100,000 the same time last year.

    Cowlitz County recorded 29 new confirmed cases Friday, bringing the total to 12,592 confirmed and 1,526 probable cases. The county had 254 COVID-19 deaths.

    Unlike last year, health officials aren’t discouraging all in-person gatherings.

    “There are many ways we can more safely enjoy our favorite traditions,” Krager said. “Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 if you’re age 5 years or older is a great start.”

    Many health-care clinics and pharmacies offer the COVID-19 vaccines, including the pediatric doses for 5- to 11-year-olds and booster doses. People can find a location at www.vaccinelocator.doh.wa.gov.

    People are also reading…

    A health department report from October found COVID-19 rates and hospitalizations are lower among fully vaccinated residents.

    As of Wednesday, 57.5{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} of Cowlitz County residents had initiated vaccination and 52.9{fe463f59fb70c5c01486843be1d66c13e664ed3ae921464fa884afebcc0ffe6c} were fully vaccinated.


    State COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations down; hospital officials encourage vaccines ahead of holidays

    Local, state and federal health officials recommend people take precautions if gathering with others outside their household, especially if unvaccinated, including:

    • Wear a face mask indoors or in crowded spaces.
    • Avoid crowded, poorly ventilated spaces by gathering outside or opening windows if indoors.
    • Space out and limit close contact with people outside the household, especially people who are at high risk for severe COVID-19 or who are not fully vaccinated.

    If gathering with multiple households, potentially from different parts of the country, people may consider avoiding crowded indoor spaces before traveling, or taking a test in advance of gathering even if they aren’t traveling, the Center for Disease Control recommends.

    People hitting the road or skies should check their destination’s COVID-19 situation and watch for any additional restrictions.

    Face masks are required in indoor areas of public transportation, including airplanes and airports.

    People who are not fully vaccinated should get tested for COVID-19 before and after their trips, according to the CDC. After traveling, everyone should monitor for COVID-19 symptoms, which include cough, fever and shortness of breath.

    Anyone who is sick or has COVID-19 symptoms should delay traveling, stay home and get tested.

    Cowlitz County residents can order free rapid test kits at www.sayyescovidhometest.org as part of the “Say Yes! COVID Test” program. Tests will arrive within seven days.


    Health officials urge precautions ahead of holidays; free rapid tests available to Cowlitz County residents