Elementary students can enjoy free admission to the River Bandits vs. Peoria Chiefs game on Thursday, Sept. 6 if they also get a free flu shot at the ballpark gates.
DAVENPORT, Iowa Editor's note: The video above is from Jan. 5.
The Quad Cities River Bandits are teaming up with Genesis Health to offer kids a free night at the baseball diamond if they get vaccinated against the flu.
Genesis is kicking off its annual Flu-Free Quad Cities campaign at Modern Woodmen Park on Thursday, Sept. 6 with a vaccine clinic outside the ballpark gates at the River Bandits' 6:30 p.m. home game against the Peoria Chiefs.
Starting at 5 p.m., nurses will be stationed outside the park, ready to offer flu shots to elementary school students. Parental consent forms can be found online or on paper at the clinic.
Any elementary student who gets a flu shot at the clinic will get a free ticket to the game when the gates open at 5:45 p.m.
"The pandemic has shown the world how important it is to get immunized," River Bandits owner Dave Heller said. "All of us with the River Bandits family want to do all we can to support children's health and keep our community safe, and that starts with a flu shot. That's why we're providing free tickets to that night's game to every child who gets a flu shot. That's a real win-win: the kids get huge fun at the ballpark and we get to keep our kids healthy and the Quad Cities strong all winter long!"
Heller will also be presenting a $50,000 check to Genesis to benefit three of its child-focused causes: Flu-Free Quad Cities, the Genesis Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and Camp Genesis.
Genesis Health says that a recent spike of flu cases in the Southern Hemisphere could lead to a level of flu activity the world hasn't seen since before the COVID-19 pandemic.
We still have community transmission of COVID-19, so theres the potential for serious complications from having seasonal influenza and COVID-19 at the same time or one after the other, Michele Cullen, RN, BSN, and community health manager of the Genesis Visiting Nurses said. Over the last two years, we experienced a huge drop in flu cases across the nation, due in part to COVID precautions like masking, handwashing and social distancing. We want to see that reduction in flu cases continue.
Flu-Free Quad Cities is a program funded completely by charity, and donations can be made on the program's website or by texting FFQC to 41444.
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Over-75s are to be called forward for Covid and flu jabs from next week as the autumn boosters rollout gets under way.
More than four million people will be able to start booking jabs as the national booking service opens to the most vulnerable.
From Monday, care home residents, staff and people and who are housebound will be offered top-up jabs. By Wednesday, millions more elderly people will receive invitations to book a vaccination.
Covid booster jabs are being offered to around 26 million people, including all over-50s, this autumn. For most, it will be their fourth dose.
The vaccines will also be offered to health and care workers and millions of people with chronic health conditions. In most cases, they will be offered alongside flu jabs.
Health officials said the NHS would contact those eligible when it is time to book in, with millions expected to receive invitations this week. A record 3,100 sites are expected to be part of the rollout, including GP practices and community pharmacies.
The Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisation (JCVI) has said Modernas new omicron vaccine will be the default option throughout the autumn campaign.
Moderna estimates that 13 million doses of the vaccine will be available this year, but 26 million people are eligible for some form of Covid booster along with a flu jab.
But health officials have urged those eligible to accept any booster offered, stressing that all types being offered provide excellent protection against severe disease and death.
The rollout comes as data suggests Covid infections in England are about to reach their lowest level since the emergence of omicron last autumn.
One in 60 people in England around 893,000 people are thought to have been infected with the virus for the week ending Aug 23, a prevalence of 1.64 per cent.
This is down more than a quarter from the week before and infections have now been declining for five straight weeks, down an average of 22 per cent week-on-week. At this rate, the level of Covid across the country will drop to just 1.28 per cent next week the lowest level since mid-September 2021.
However, health chiefs said they expect a resurgence of both Covid and flu in the coming weeks.
Amanda Pritchard, the NHS chief executive, said: The best way to protect yourselves and your loved ones from serious illness is to get the newly approved, next generation Covid vaccine when invited to do so, as well as your annual flu jab, to ensure you have maximum protection.
GPs will be paid up to 525 per care home jabbed under new NHS incentives. Previously, family doctors received rates of up to 30 per jab, on top of a basic 13 rate, for vaccinating each care home resident.
The new flat rate will be paid out when all eligible residents have been jabbed. The payments mean GPs can receive 525 for vaccinating more than 150 residents, falling to 150 for a home with fewer than 10 eligible people.
Dr Prince Quarshie, the acting Deputy Director in charge of Public Health at the Bono Regional Health Directorate, says the region has recorded a confirmed case of Monkey Pox disease out of six suspected cases.
The suspected cases were recorded in four Districts while the confirmed case was one of two results received.
The results of the other four tests are still pending, Dr Quashietold the Ghana News Agency.
He said, Monkey Poxis an infectious viral diseasewhich is spread from infected animals such as monkeys, squirrels and grass cutters and could also be transmitted from infected humans with close contact.
Dr Quarshie saidthe fourpatients were in isolationpending the outcome of the results.
Heexplained that in suspected cases entire members of a household were kept in isolation untilthe release of the result because non-infected occupants couldalso be infected through contact with affected persons bed sheets, towels, clothingandother objects.
He said peoplecould be infected through huntingand handling of infected meatswhile human transmission could also occur throughexposure to infectedbody fluids, blood and contaminated objects bydroplets.
Dr Quarshie advised the general public to report to the hospital on time in case of suspected ill-feeling, particularly with symptoms of skin rashes, fever, cough, severe headache, joint pains and severe muscle pain.
He urged the populace to avoid handshaking, getting closer to sick people, practice regular hand washing with soap under running water, social distancing as well as compliance with and adherence to all other COVID-19 preventive and safety protocols to help prevent the spread of the disease.
Source: GNA
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) According to the state health department, there are five monkey pox cases in the Northeast Tennessee region. Though numbers are low, local universities said they are monitoring the situation.
Dr. Randy Wykoff, dean of East Tennessee State Universitys College of Public Health, shared the latest protocol and symptoms to look out for.
Headache, fever, then they get swollen lymph nodes that are painful and then they get a rash that follows a very specific sequence, Wykoff said. It starts like you can see it but you dont feel it, but then you can feel it, then its fluid-filled, and then it breaks open and it finally crusts over.
Wykoff said for college students that have just gotten back to school they shouldnt worry too much because there are only certain situations where they can contract the virus.
It requires that bare skin on bare skin, so just being at a football game or something probably isnt going to be a risk factor, Wykoff said. If an individual is diagnosed, theyre asked to isolate typically until the lesions crust over and then what would happen is anyone that theyve been in direct personal skin-to-skin contact with would be notified.
ETSU released a statement Friday saying that they are following case numbers closely.
We are continuing to monitor state and federal guidance, including CDC recommendations, case counts and public health measures in our region to protect the health and wellness of our students, faculty, and staff.
Tusculum University also responded Friday, saying they plan to adopt appropriate measures when needed.
Tusculum University is monitoring developments with monkeypox and has received guidance from the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities. We continue to monitor the situation pertaining to this virus and are considering and adopting appropriate measures designed to protect the health of all Tusculum family members. Based on our success in response to the coronavirus, we envision the steps we take with monkeypox will produce desired results.
Patient deaths: 1,044,332
Total vaccine doses distributed: 806,829,135
Patients whove received the first dose: 262,643,277
Patients whove received the second dose: 223,914,723
% of population fully vaccinated (both doses, not including boosters): 67.4%
% tied to Omicron variant: 100%
% tied to Other: 0%
The adverse events and complications of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) continue to challenge the medical profession despite the worldwide vaccination against the severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of COVID-19. Other than typical respiratory manifestations, COVID-19 also presents with neurological manifestations [1,2]. SARS-CoV-2 seems to have been transmitted from infected bats to humans and can spread through human-to-human transmission [3]. Patients with COVID-19 typically present with respiratory manifestations ranging from a mild cough to lung infection and respiratory failure in severe cases and can involve other body systems, including gastrointestinal, renal, and cardiovascular systems [4-9]. Many clinical trials for potential therapy and vaccines have combated this pandemic [10-14].
There is also growing evidence that COVID-19 can affect the nervous system, leading to several neurological manifestations and adverse events. Due to its neurotropic and neuroinvasive potential, the data on neurological involvement in COVID-19 has mounted rapidly with an exponential increase in publications [15,16]. Neurological manifestations of COVID-19 include headache, encephalopathy, myalgias, and dizziness, with more severe symptoms including anosmia, peripheral neuropathy, ataxia, seizure, acute cerebrovascular disease, and myopathies [17,18].
Patients with neurological involvement in the setting of COVID-19 infection are at risk of developing seizures due to hypoxia, metabolic derangements, intoxication, and organ failure. Seizures precipitated by COVID-19 may affect the functional outcomes in critically ill patients. This article summarizes the evidence of seizure occurrences in COVID-19 patients and the prevalence of seizures in patients with epilepsy diagnosed with COVID-19.
We performed this systematic review and meta-analysis by following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines (https://prisma-statement.org//) (Figure 1).
Study Selection and Eligibility Criteria
An extensive bibliographical search was conducted on PubMed and Google Scholar. The initial screening identified 1,375 articles using mesh terms and keywords for COVID-19, seizure, and epilepsy. The two authors screened the articles using predetermined screening criteria,retrieved the relevant articles in full text, and further screened them based on eligibility criteria. Case reports, articles published before 2020, and articles not addressing COVID-19-associated neurological aspects, particularly seizures, were excluded. Case-control studies, case series, and retrospective and prospective cohorts highlighting data on COVID-19 and seizures related to incidence and prevalence were included. Two authors assessed the relevant articles and resolved the disagreements through systemic discussion.
Data Extraction and Statistical Analysis
Two authors extracted the relevant and appropriate data using a Microsoft Excel standard extraction sheet. The relevant data included a proportion of infected patients with seizures, with control data for preexisting epilepsy and alternate provoking causes. Additional retrieved data included author(s), study design, gender, median age, comorbidities, and seizure as an initial manifestation of COVID-19. The quality of included studies was assessed through the Newcastle-Ottawa Quality Assessment Scale (NOS). Any conflicts were resolved through consensus. The publication bias was evaluated using a random-effect funnel plot model.
We performed a random effect analysis to determine the pooled incidence of COVID-19-induced seizures and 95% confidence intervals (CI) using the R programming language (v 4.0.2) [19]. We also estimated the seizure incidence in patients with epilepsy diagnosed with COVID-19. The study heterogeneity was assessed by theI2test, which estimates the proportion of total variation among included literature. In case of high heterogeneity, a subgroup analysis was performed based on the location of the studies.
Our study included 21 studies involving nine case series and 12 retrospective cohorts. Included studies had reported seizures as an initial manifestation of COVID-19. COVID-19 confirmation testing was performed through nasopharyngeal or oropharyngeal swabs using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in all studies.Data on author(s), publication year, number of infected SARS-CoV-2 patients, number of patients presenting with seizure as an initial COVID-19 presentation, and number of patients with epilepsy are highlighted in Table 1 [4,5,17-35].
A total of 11,526 patients from different countries were identified, with a median age of 61.9 years; 51.5% of the patients were male. In total, 255 patients presented with seizure as the first manifestation of COVID-19 with a prevalence of 2.2% (95% CI = 0.05-0.24, p< 0.01) (I2 = 97%) (Figure2). Fourteen studies reported epilepsy as neurological comorbidity, and 71 patients were diagnosed with epilepsy before COVID-19 infection with a proportion of 0.98% (0.03-0.018,p< 0.01). Among patients with epilepsy, 49 had seizures as an initial presentation of SARS-CoV-2 with an incidence of 69% (0.54-0.85, p = 0.1) (I2 = 34) (Figure3). The random-effect funnel model shows an association between COVID-19 and seizure occurrence with publication bias.
Due to high heterogeneity, we performed a subgroup analysis based on the location of the studies. We performed a pooled analysis of American and European studies. In total, 12 studies were from the United States and included 3,520 patients diagnosed with COVID-19.A total of 167 patients had COVID-19-induced seizure with a pooled prevalence of 4.7% (95% CI = 0.10-0.59,p< 0.01) (I2 = 67%) (Figure 4). Eight studies were from Europe and included 1,898 patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2. A total of 36 patients had COVID-19-induced seizure with an incidence of 1.89% (95% CI = 0.02-0.17, p< 0.01) (I2 = 78%) (Figure 5). Publication bias in included studies is shown in Figure 6.
The adverse events and complications of COVID-19 continue to challenge the medical profession despite the worldwide vaccination against COVID-19. There are reports of cerebrovascular adverse events associated with COVID-19 infection. Acute symptomatic seizure is one of the least reported neurological presentations in COVID-19patients. Once the pandemic had gained momentum, the number of reports of seizure occurrence in COVID-19 patients increased. Our study highlighted the proportion of patients with preexisting epilepsy who experienced seizure exacerbation as a manifestation of COVID-19 andthe proportion of patients who experienced provoked seizures due to COVID, which has significant implications for further management. Although the incidence of COVID-19-provoked seizures is not high, the incidenceof seizures in COVID-19 among epileptic patients is high.
Recently, there has been an increase in the number of cases of seizures in patients with COVID-19 infection [15]. The growing literature has documented the neurotropic properties of COVID-19 due to angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) receptors in the nervous system [24]. Seizures were also highlighted in the preceding epidemics of coronavirus infections during the SARS coronavirus infections in 2002 and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) coronavirus infections in 2012, with proportions of 1.9% and 8%, respectively [37,38]. The current pandemic has dramatically affected the population, and several patients have presented with seizuresas an initial or the earliest manifestation of COVID-19 [31].The pathophysiology behind the occurrence of seizures is not yet understood; however, some hypotheses can be postulated. ACE2 receptors for viral entry into the nervous system are predominantly present in the brainstem [3]. After the invasion, SARS-CoV-2 triggers a cascade of reactions leading to the production of inflammatory and proinflammatory cytokines, which result in neuronal hyperexcitability and seizures. Proinflammatory cytokines induce glutamate release and inhibit the release of inhibitory neurotransmitters in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex, leading to seizures and epilepsy [27]. COVID-19 can disrupt the respiratory and cardiovascular systems leading to hypoxia, and hypoxia-induced cerebral damage induces a higher neural activity[39]. Other mechanisms included disruption of the blood-brain barrier, multiorgan failure, severe metabolic derangements, electrolyte abnormalities, and coagulation cascade activation through the production and excessive release of proinflammatory cytokines [40].
Priorsmaller studies have highlighted the incidence and prevalence of seizures in patients diagnosed with COVID-19. A retrospective study from the United States reported that the prevalence of COVID-19-induced seizures was 2.1% among 3,218 patients[25]. Another study reported that 26% of patients with seizures were admitted to the hospital as a COVID-19 presentation among 50 infected patients[15].
Favas et al. performed a pooled analysis of seizure incidence in COVID-19 patients. This study included 2,043 patients from five studies and reported a prevalence of COVID-19-induced seizures of 1.1% (CI = 0.7-1.7%) [41]. Another analysis on COVID-19-induced seizures included 314 infected patients and reported a 0.5% incidence (95% CI = 0.02-6.04, p = 0.08), and a 0.3% incidence of status epilepticus (95% CI = 0.00-3.69) [40].COVID-19 incidence in patients with epilepsy is not widely described in the literature, and limited data are available on the prevalence of COVID-19 infection in epilepsy. Garcia et al. reported that COVID-19 incidence in epileptic patients was 1.2% compared to the normal population (0.6%)[42]. An increase in seizure exacerbation in patients diagnosed with epilepsy has also been reported during the pandemic[40,42]. Similar results were observed in our analysis. An interesting observation from our data is that the prevalence of seizures in COVID-19 patients with epilepsy is high.
Seizure exacerbation in patients with epilepsy is linked with prior history of COVID-19 during a pandemic. Multiple stress factors during the pandemic, undesirable outcomes of the infection on seizure-associated health conditions, or noncompliance/change in antiepileptic drugs had also led to seizure exacerbation in epileptic patients. A recent article highlighted that 30.3% of epileptic patients with a history of COVID-19 infection experienced increased seizure exacerbations, and only 7% of patients with epilepsy without exposure to COVID-19 underwent increased seizure exacerbation [43].
Our study has many limitations. Our research has high heterogeneity because many studies in our analysis have a small sample size and moderate quality. We also included case series in our research. We may have a remarkable publication bias in both pooled prevalence likely due to small case series and a less likely chance of negative study publication. Observational studies may have residual confounding. We could not find individual data in afew studies; therefore, we could not make our adjustments, leading to potentially incomplete data. In some publications, the number of patients with epilepsy was not reported. Finally, increasing published data makes retrieving relevant data on the topic difficult.
Our study also highlighted an increased prevalence of COVID-19-induced seizures raising many queries. It can be due to different virus strains, more studies reported from Europe, potentially biased studies with small sample sizes, or different physiological/emotional responses to the pandemic, which are needed to explain in future studies from the rapidly growing data.
Although seizure prevalence in COVID-19-infected patients is not high compared with other neurological manifestations, new-onset seizures in any patient can raise suspicion of a presentation or complication of COVID-19 infection in the absence of other causative factors during this pandemic. People with epilepsy diagnosed with COVID-19 infection reported increased seizures during the pandemic. Therefore, a comprehensive clinical picture and neurological investigations, including imaging modalities, are mandated while examining and managing such patients. Data from large cohorts are required to better understand this apparent association between seizures and COVID-19 infection, its etiology, increase in seizures in epileptic patients, prognosis, and follow-up protocols for these patients.
A recent study shows US adults with hearing and visual impairments have lower rates of vaccination for the coronavirus.
A recent cross-sectional study1 shows that COVID-19 vaccination rates are lower among individuals with hearing and visual impairments, compared to those without.
Reported by Kea Turner, PhD, MPH, MA, from the Department of Health Outcomes and Behavior, Moffitt Cancer Center, Tampa, FL, and colleagues, the studyincluded adults who participated in the US Census Bureau Household Pulse Survey from April 2021 through March 2022.
The survey collected data on acquisition of the COVID-19 vaccine and determinants of health care access, including demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as social determinants of health, Turner described.
The primary outcome measure was the first COVID-19 vaccine.
The participating patients had difficulty seeing or hearing despite corrective measures or they were blind or deaf.
The study included 916,085 adults (mean age, 54.0 years; 52.0% women), most of whom (82.7%) started the COVID-19 vaccine series.
Compared with adults who were not visually impaired, those with serious visual impairment (mean difference, 6.3%, p<0.001) and blindness (mean difference, 20.1%, p< 0.001) had lower COVID-19 vaccination rates.
Compared with adults who were not hearing impaired or deaf, adults with serious hearing impairment (mean difference, 2.1%; p=0.003) and deafness (mean difference, 17.7%, p<0.001) were less likely to start the COVID-19 vaccine process.
The adults who were the most seriously affected, i.e., those who were blind (p=0.009) or deaf (p=0.003), were less likely to start the series of vaccinations compared with those who were less visually or hearing impaired, respectively.
The findings of this study suggest that COVID-19 vaccine initiation is lower among adults with vision or hearing disabilities compared with adults without disabilities; this information may inform initiatives to promote equitable and accessible vaccination. Additional research may be needed to monitor COVID-19 vaccination disparities among adults with vision or hearing disabilities and to address disparities, the investigators concluded.
CABO DE GATA, Spain (VN) With temperatures soaring into the high 90Fs and rivals dropping to COVID-19 infections, the easiest part of defending his red jersey at the Vuelta a Espaa for Remco Evenepoel seems to be racing the bike.
Blazing summer heat and a rash of COVID infections is putting a chill on the Vuelta peloton, with GC challengers Simon Yates and Pavel Sivakov both leaving Wednesday with infections.
Behind the scenes, Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl has put into place several strategies and protocols to keep Evenepoel in the Vuelta and out of harms way.
We wear a mask, wash our hands, maintain our bubble every day, Evenepoel said of the ongoing risk of the coronavirus. The only moment we dont wear masks is when we get the official whistle from the start and at the table to eat our food.
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The team is also putting Evenepoel and the other riders in individual rooms, and assigning specific staff members to each rider to minimize the risk of infection.
Normally on a grand tour we have the families on the rest day, but we banned that, he said. Its really our team bubble. We are wearing masks in the bus, out of the bus, on the massage table.
Already racing in its third season with the coronavirus, the team is doing everything it can in terms of health protocols to keep Evenepoel safe.
Despite losing Julian Alaphilippe to a crash Wednesday, the safest place for Evenepoel seems to be in the race.
He safely made it through Wednesdays long transition stage without incident and there were no major shakeups in the overall standings.
Though he hails from Belgium, Evenepoel said hes not expecting the blazing Iberian sun to be a major issue for him in the second half of the Vuelta.
The first half of the race was contested in The Netherlands before racing across northern Spain, where the Cantabrian mountains were cloaked in fog and mist with cool racing temperatures when Evenepoel attacked into the red jersey.
Thats changed dramatically in the south, with temperatures nearing 100F and humidity also pushing high.
Evenepoel revealed that he did not race after smashing to victory at the Clsica San Sebastin in late July because he wanted to get used to the Spanish summer heat on his terms.
He retreated to a pre-Vuelta training camp in Calpe along Spains Mediterranean coast, where August temperatures were even hotter than they are now.
Thats why I didnt want to race ahead of the Vuelta and go into a long training camp around Calpe, Evenepoel said. I never had a day under 40 degrees, so every day it was super hot and super humid.
With Pea Blancas looming Thursday, Evenepoel said he expected the slightly easier and longer climbs in southern Spain in the second half of the Vuelta to be easier to manage in the extreme temperatures.
The steep climbs are the hardest to deal with in the heat, so what can be advantage from now on is that the climbs are not really super steep, he said. For sure, its going to be special with the heat.
We do the normal things, ice, cold drinks, our [ventilated] helmets to lose as much heat off the body as possible.
The average life expectancy for Americans fell in 2020 and 2021 to mark the biggest two-year decline in almost a century as the pandemic raged, according to a new government report.
The average American lost about three years of anticipated life span in the period to an average age of 76, compared with an average of 79 in 2019, according to the report from the National Center for Health Statistics.The last time life expectancy fell that much was in the early 1940s, during World War II.
The decline was worst for Native Americans and Alaska Natives. For that group, average life expectancy shrank by four years in 2020 alone, and it has fallen by more than six years to 65 over the course of the pandemic. Thats equal to the figure for all Americans in 1944, asthe New York Times reported.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said COVID was to blame for about half of the decline in 2021, which came as vaccinations became widely available but as new variants emerged that proved far more infectious than the original one. But drug overdoses, heart disease, suicide and chronic liver disease were also factors.
As expected, the Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday authorized an update to COVID booster doses that target the now-dominant omicron strain, the Associated Press reported. Targeted shots developed by Pfizer PFE, -1.35% with German partner BioNTech BNTX, -1.66% and by Moderna MRNA, -2.69% could be available in the coming days.
Youll see me at the front of the line, FDA vaccine chief Dr. Peter Marks told the Associated Press shortly before his agency cleared the new doses.
Read now:Dr. Faucis advice has always been simple and on the mark
Until now, COVID-19 vaccines have targeted the original coronavirus strain, even as wildly different mutants emerged. The new U.S. boosters are combination, or bivalent, shots. They contain half that original vaccine recipe and half protection against the omicron subvariants BA.4 and BA.5, which are considered the most contagious yet.
The news comes as U.S. known cases of COVID are continuing to ease, although the true tally is likely higher given how many people are testing at home, where the data are not being collected.
The daily average for new cases stood at 90,428 on Tuesday, according toa New York Times tracker, down 10% from two weeks ago. Cases are currently rising in 11 states, namely Rhode Island, Tennessee, Louisiana, Alabama, South Dakota, Maine, Arkansas, West Virginia, Oklahoma, Connecticut and Illinois, and are falling everywhere else.
The daily average for hospitalizations was down 10% at 37,770, while the daily average for deaths is up 1% to 473.
Coronavirus Update:MarketWatchs daily roundup has been curating and reporting all the latest developments every weekday since the coronavirus pandemic began
Other COVID-19 news you should know about:
Goldman Sachs GS, +0.47% will lift all COVID protocols that have kept some workers away as it pushes all employees to return to the office five days a week after Labor Day, the New York Post reported. In a memo sent Tuesday obtained by the newspaper, Goldman Sachs told workers it will no longer require vaccines, COVID testing or masks a signal it wont accept excuses for employees who claimed COVID as a reason for working from home. There is significantly less risk of severe illness, the memo stated. In line with [the CDCs] updated protocols, if you have not been coming in to the office, please speak with your manager to ensure that you understand and adhere to your divisions current return to office expectations. The official memo comes just days beforethe bank expects all employeesto return to its offices five days a week, sources add.
French tourism has recovered and revenues are above pre-pandemic levels, the AP reported, citing government estimates released this week. Crowds packed Paris landmarks and Riviera beaches, thanks notably to an influx ofAmericans benefiting from the weak euro, but also British and other European visitors reveling in the end of pandemic restrictions. According to the governments preliminary estimates, tourism spending in France this summer was 10% higher than in 2019, based on data from bank-card use and lodging and restaurant revenues.
Chinas southern city of Guangzhou imposed fresh COVID curbs on Wednesday, joining the tech hub of Shenzhen, fueling uncertainty over commerce and daily life in two of the regions most economically vibrant metropolises, Reuters reported. Chinas so-called dynamic COVID-zero policy makes it an outlier as other countries gradually do away with curbs, despite the cost to the worlds second largest economy, which already faces slower growth. Capital Economics estimates 41 cities, responsible for 32% of Chinas GDP, are grappling with outbreaks the highest number since April.
See: China think tank argues zero COVID policy needs to change to extricate economy from peril
Cyprus has lifted its face-mask mandate in all indoor areas, the AP reported. The island nations top health official said epidemiological data amid the coronavirus pandemic have significantly improved. Health Minister Michalis Hadjipantela told reporters after a cabinet meeting that the mask rule still applies to hospitals, nursing homes, clinics, pharmacies and public transport. Its recommended that those with chronic ailments continue using face coverings.
Heres what the numbers say
The global tally of confirmed cases of COVID-19 topped 602.5 million on Monday, while the death toll rose above 6.49 million,according to data aggregated by Johns Hopkins University.
The U.S. leads the world with 94.4 million cases and 1,045,088 fatalities.
TheCenters for Disease Control and Preventions trackershows that 223.9 million people living in the U.S. are fully vaccinated, equal to 67.4% of the total population. But just 108.5 million have had a booster, equal to 48.5% of the vaccinated population, and just 21.8 million of the people 50 years old and over who are eligible for a second booster have had one, equal to 33.7% of those who had a first booster.
