NORTH CAROLINA (STACKER) The vaccine deployment in December 2020 signaled a turning point in the COVID-19 pandemic. By the end of May 2021, 40% of the U.S. population was fully vaccinated. But as vaccination rates lagged over the summer, new surges of COVID-19 came, including Delta in the summer of 2021, and now the Omicron variant, which comprises the majority of cases in the U.S.
The United States as of May 6 reached 997,023 COVID-19-related deaths and nearly 81.7 million COVID-19 cases, according to Johns Hopkins University. Currently, 66.3% of the population is fully vaccinated, and 45.9% of vaccinated people have received booster doses.
Stacker compiled a list of the counties with highest COVID-19 vaccination rates in North Carolina using data from the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services and Covid Act Now. Counties are ranked by the highest vaccination rate as of May 5, 2022. Due to inconsistencies in reporting, some counties do not have vaccination data available. Keep reading to see whether your county ranks among the highest COVID-19 vaccination rates in your state.
Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.5% (23,490 fully vaccinated) 13.6% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 218 (96 total deaths) 6.8% less deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,029 (9,679 total cases) 13.6% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.6% (96,914 fully vaccinated) 13.4% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 115 (207 total deaths) 50.9% less deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,099 (52,595 total cases) 14.2% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.7% (10,183 fully vaccinated) 13.2% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 359 (68 total deaths) 53.4% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,489 (4,261 total cases) 11.8% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 53.7% (26,870 fully vaccinated) 13.2% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 374 (187 total deaths) 59.8% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,956 (13,981 total cases) 9.7% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.0% (37,661 fully vaccinated) 12.8% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 113 (79 total deaths) 51.7% less deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,539 (20,584 total cases) 15.9% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.1% (113,353 fully vaccinated) 12.6% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 216 (452 total deaths) 7.7% less deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,649 (59,974 total cases) 12.4% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.2% (86,478 fully vaccinated) 12.4% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 376 (600 total deaths) 60.7% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,955 (47,793 total cases) 17.5% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.8% (14,906 fully vaccinated) 11.5% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 287 (78 total deaths) 22.6% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,674 (6,440 total cases) 7.1% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 54.9% (25,814 fully vaccinated) 11.3% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 366 (172 total deaths) 56.4% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,923 (12,652 total cases) 5.6% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.1% (10,881 fully vaccinated) 11.0% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 228 (45 total deaths) 2.6% less deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,047 (4,350 total cases) 13.5% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.2% (5,199 fully vaccinated) 10.8% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 414 (39 total deaths) 76.9% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,622 (2,225 total cases) 7.3% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.2% (30,889 fully vaccinated) 10.8% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 393 (220 total deaths) 67.9% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,247 (15,804 total cases) 10.8% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.2% (34,080 fully vaccinated) 10.8% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 244 (151 total deaths) 4.3% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,983 (16,052 total cases) 1.9% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.5% (19,087 fully vaccinated) 10.3% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 224 (77 total deaths) 4.3% less deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 17,967 (6,178 total cases) 29.5% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.5% (133,015 fully vaccinated) 10.3% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 204 (489 total deaths) 12.8% less deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,985 (62,328 total cases) 1.9% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.7% (7,090 fully vaccinated) 10.0% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 220 (28 total deaths) 6.0% less deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,556 (2,616 total cases) 19.4% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 55.8% (120,761 fully vaccinated) 9.9% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 228 (494 total deaths) 2.6% less deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,006 (56,290 total cases) 2.0% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.0% (31,465 fully vaccinated) 9.5% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 121 (68 total deaths) 48.3% less deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,735 (12,772 total cases) 10.8% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.5% (7,873 fully vaccinated) 8.7% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 437 (61 total deaths) 86.8% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 29,757 (4,149 total cases) 16.7% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.5% (12,301 fully vaccinated) 8.7% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 372 (81 total deaths) 59.0% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,742 (5,165 total cases) 6.9% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 56.7% (22,380 fully vaccinated) 8.4% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 276 (109 total deaths) 17.9% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,730 (9,371 total cases) 6.9% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.2% (8,160 fully vaccinated) 7.6% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 301 (43 total deaths) 28.6% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,660 (3,662 total cases) 0.7% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.3% (35,724 fully vaccinated) 7.4% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 355 (221 total deaths) 51.7% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,999 (13,086 total cases) 17.6% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.4% (24,605 fully vaccinated) 7.3% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 243 (104 total deaths) 3.8% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,261 (11,252 total cases) 3.0% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.6% (54,280 fully vaccinated) 6.9% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 328 (309 total deaths) 40.2% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,178 (26,571 total cases) 10.5% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.7% (25,718 fully vaccinated) 6.8% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 274 (122 total deaths) 17.1% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,707 (11,894 total cases) 4.8% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 57.8% (58,358 fully vaccinated) 6.6% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 320 (323 total deaths) 36.8% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,236 (24,449 total cases) 4.9% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.4% (6,508 fully vaccinated) 5.7% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 144 (16 total deaths) 38.5% less deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,632 (2,966 total cases) 4.5% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.8% (21,094 fully vaccinated) 5.0% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 337 (121 total deaths) 44.0% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,201 (7,961 total cases) 12.9% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 58.8% (43,803 fully vaccinated) 5.0% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 154 (115 total deaths) 34.2% less deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 17,575 (13,088 total cases) 31.0% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 59.0% (69,266 fully vaccinated) 4.7% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 269 (316 total deaths) 15.0% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,430 (25,162 total cases) 15.9% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 59.5% (100,858 fully vaccinated) 3.9% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 288 (488 total deaths) 23.1% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,957 (47,390 total cases) 9.7% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 60.5% (203,097 fully vaccinated) 2.3% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 188 (630 total deaths) 19.7% less deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,041 (87,369 total cases) 2.2% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 61.1% (121,005 fully vaccinated) 1.3% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 191 (378 total deaths) 18.4% less deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,308 (52,073 total cases) 3.2% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 61.5% (330,199 fully vaccinated) 0.6% lower vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 225 (1,208 total deaths) 3.8% less deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,346 (120,035 total cases) 12.3% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.1% (237,304 fully vaccinated) 0.3% higher vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 216 (824 total deaths) 7.7% less deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,457 (93,499 total cases) 4.0% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.4% (37,720 fully vaccinated) 0.8% higher vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 189 (114 total deaths) 19.2% less deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 23,884 (14,436 total cases) 6.3% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.7% (64,028 fully vaccinated) 1.3% higher vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 203 (207 total deaths) 13.2% less deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 24,018 (24,532 total cases) 5.8% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 62.9% (89,865 fully vaccinated) 1.6% higher vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 232 (332 total deaths) 0.9% less deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,195 (30,270 total cases) 16.8% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 63.5% (148,849 fully vaccinated) 2.6% higher vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 168 (393 total deaths) 28.2% less deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 21,818 (51,157 total cases) 14.4% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 63.6% (706,320 fully vaccinated) 2.7% higher vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 146 (1,622 total deaths) 37.6% less deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 25,453 (282,622 total cases) 0.1% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 64.3% (21,056 fully vaccinated) 3.9% higher vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 388 (127 total deaths) 65.8% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 28,543 (9,340 total cases) 12.0% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 64.9% (45,089 fully vaccinated) 4.8% higher vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 180 (125 total deaths) 23.1% less deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,401 (14,173 total cases) 20.0% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 65.2% (13,742 fully vaccinated) 5.3% higher vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 318 (67 total deaths) 35.9% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 27,595 (5,814 total cases) 8.3% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 66.0% (172,424 fully vaccinated) 6.6% higher vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 223 (582 total deaths) 4.7% less deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,495 (53,530 total cases) 19.6% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 67.3% (3,322 fully vaccinated) 8.7% higher vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 263 (13 total deaths) 12.4% more deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,777 (1,322 total cases) 5.1% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 71.1% (228,678 fully vaccinated) 14.9% higher vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 106 (340 total deaths) 54.7% less deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 22,941 (73,754 total cases) 10.0% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 73.0% (26,999 fully vaccinated) 17.9% higher vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 73 (27 total deaths) 68.8% less deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 20,276 (7,504 total cases) 20.5% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 73.5% (817,433 fully vaccinated) 18.7% higher vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 100 (1,117 total deaths) 57.3% less deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 26,688 (296,709 total cases) 4.7% more cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
Population that is fully vaccinated: 76.5% (113,597 fully vaccinated) 23.6% higher vaccination rate than North Carolina Cumulative deaths per 100k: 90 (134 total deaths) 61.5% less deaths per 100k residents than North Carolina Cumulative cases per 100k: 18,704 (27,771 total cases) 26.6% less cases per 100k residents than North Carolina
(Precision Vaccinations)
A recent conversation with Dr. John Farley, director of the U.S. FDAs Office of Infectious Diseases, provided insights regarding Paxlovid, the preferred oral therapy for managing non-hospitalized adults with COVID-19.
The antiviral Paxlovid reduces the risk of hospitalization and death for patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 at high risk of disease progression.
On May 4, 2022, Dr. Farley stated We recognize that risk factors have changed over time and that it is now appropriate to consider vaccination status in assessing a patients risk for progression to severe COVID-19.
Adult patients who report a positive home test result from a rapid antigen diagnostic test to their provider are eligible for Paxlovid under the emergency use authorization (EUA).
A positive result on a PCR test also meets the requirement under the EUA to have a positive test result.
Additionally, the FDA is aware of the reports of some patients developing recurrent COVID-19 symptoms after completing a treatment course of Paxlovid. In some cases, patients tested negative on a direct SARS-CoV-2 viral test and then tested positive again.
In light of these reports, additional analyses of the Paxlovid clinical trial data have been performed.
In the Paxlovid clinical trial, some patients (range 1-2%) had one or more positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests after testing negative or an increase in the amount of SARS-CoV-2 detected by PCR after completing their treatment course.
This finding was observed in patients treated with the drug and patients who received a placebo, so it is unclear whether this is related to Paxlovid treatment.
Additional analyses show that most of the patients did not have symptoms at the time of a positive PCR test after testing negative. Most importantly, there was no increased occurrence of hospitalization or death, or development of drug resistance.
However, there is no evidence of benefit at this time for a longer course of treatment (e.g., ten days rather than five days) or repeating a treatment course of Paxlovid in patients with recurrent COVID-19 symptoms following completion of a treatment course.
I would like to reiterate there is strong scientific evidence that Paxlovid reduces the risk of hospitalization and death in patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19 at high risk for progression to severe disease. It is also expected to be effective against the Omicron variant, commented Dr. Farley.
Separately, during a special edition of Doctor Radio Reports on May 6, 2022, Dr. Robert M. Califf, Commissioner of Food and Drugs at the FDA, discusses the vital role Paxlovid plays in treating Covid-19.
With regard to the so-called rebound, there will be a lot more said about this, but at least the data so far indicates that we see the same phenomenon in the placebo groups with the antivirals.
So that means that it's not probably a drug effect, it's really a biological effect that's not fully explained. So we're going to learn a lot more about it, but it shouldn't be a reason not to treat it.
We're going to have a flood of data from real-world evidence about the treatment of already vaccinated people. Based on the small amount of data we had at the time of the EUA, I expect that we'll see the same type of effect, the FDA Commissioner told Dr. Mark Siegel.
Paxlovid is now widely available at community pharmacies in the U.S.
The U.S. government maintains a locator tool for COVID-19 therapeutics that lists community pharmacies that have Paxlovid in stock.
Note: The FDA statements were edited for clarity and manually curated for mobile readership.
PrecisionVaccinations publishes fact-checked research-based news.
The Center of Excellence for Emerging Threats (CEVT) at LSU Health Shreveport continues to offerCOVID-19 vaccinations at the North Campussite located at 2627 Linwood Avenue, Monday Friday, 10 a.m. 6 p.m.
All vaccinations take place without an individual needing to leave the vehicle.No appointments are needed for vaccinations.It is recommended that individuals who received their first and second dose of the vaccine from a non-LSUHS location should pre-register for a booster dose appointment atwww.lsuhs.edu/covid19/vaccine.Individuals should provide ID and insurance information when they arrive at any LSUHS vaccine distribution site. Those that are without insurance are still eligible to receive the vaccine.
COVID-19 TESTING REMINDER:COVID-19 testing is no longer available at the North Campus site as of Tuesday, April 19. Testing is still available at many pharmacies, primary care facilities, health units, and urgent care facilities. For a list of COVID-19 testing sites in your area, visitldh.la.gov/coronavirus.
MAY 2022 LSUHS COVID-19VACCINATIONSITES
LSU Health Shreveport vaccination sites will beCLOSEDonMonday, May 30in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. Vaccination sites will resume all regularly scheduled operation on Tuesday, May 31.
Study shows that 10% of minorities refused COVID-19 vaccines because of past racial discrimination experiences
One in ten people from ethnic minority groups who refused a vaccine experienced racial discrimination in a medical setting since the start of the pandemic. They also experienced twice as many incidents of racial discrimination compared to those who were vaccinated, according to a study published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine.
The study authors said that this illustrates how the effects of racial discrimination creates low confidence in the health system to handle the pandemic, which led to vaccine refusal.
The study participants included 633 adults belonging to ethnic minority groups who were offered a COVID-19 vaccine between December 2020 and June 2021. 6.69% of participants who had refused the vaccine reported they had experienced poorer service or treatment than other people in a medical setting because of their race or ethnicity.
The researchers said that the findings underscore how government agencies must work to regain trust from ethnic minority groups to increase vaccination rates among these diverse groups. Public health campaigns to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates should not only focus on building trust in the vaccines, but also to prevent racial and ethnic discrimination and support people who have experienced it.
They also pointed out that failure to tackle racial discrimination would lead to a widening of systemic inequalities putting more ethnic minority lives at risk.
This article was originally published by sister publication Medical Economics.
The BA.2.12.1 variant of COVID-19 makes up about 37% of new coronavirus cases across the country, according to the latest data from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention.
The growth of BA.2.12.1 and other variants is to be expected, health experts said.
SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, is constantly changing and accumulating mutations in its genetic code over time. New variants of SARS-CoV-2 are expected to continue to emerge. Some variants will emerge and disappear, while others will emerge and continue to spread and may replace previous variants, the CDC said.
BA.2.12.1 is a descendant of the BA.2 virus, a subvariant of the omicron strain of COVID. BA.2.12.1 has the ability transmit easier than its predecessors and experts said it could become the dominant strain of COVID-19 within a few weeks.
READ MORE:
When is next COVID surge? Heres what expert predicts for Alabama, rest of the South
Alabama hospital rationing medical supplies due to COVID disruptions in China
CDC tracked phones to see if Americans followed COVID lockdowns
What are symptoms of BA.2.12.1?
Like the previous BA.2 variant, BA.2.12.1 most often presents with upper respiratory symptoms similar to that of the flu. Original COVID-19 symptoms include:
The omicron variant most often presented with sneezing, coughing and sore throat. Additional symptoms from BA.2 include fatigue and dizziness.
.The best way to lessen the effects of COVID and its variants is vaccinations, experts said.
Breakthrough infections in people who are vaccinated are expected, but being up to date on recommended vaccines is effective at preventing severe illness, hospitalizations, and death. The emergence of the Omicron variant further emphasizes the importance of vaccination and boosters, the CDC said.
By Julie M. Posted May 8, 2022, 5:00 AM
The entire world is facing an unprecedented health crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic. There are more than 488,009,971 cases of coronavirus worldwide and 6,219,408 deaths. Find out the results of countries and developments in the world regarding the Corona virus epidemic on Sunday, May 8, 2022.
at Saturday 7 May 2022The virus COVID-19 touch. Contact. Link 488,009,971 (+132,792) confirmed cases And I did in total 6219408 (+352) dead In the Globalism. We now use open data provided by Google.
to main:
Hipster-friendly coffee fanatic. Subtly charming bacon advocate. Friend of animals everywhere.
People wearing face masks walk down a street before the start of a mandatory total isolation decreed by the mayor's office, amidst an outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Bogota, Colombia January 7, 2021. REUTERS/Luisa Gonzalez
Register
BOGOTA, May 6 (Reuters) - Colombia will offer a second coronavirus booster shot to people aged 50 and over, the government said on Friday.
Colombia has reported just under 6.1 million confirmed coronavirus infections and 139,809 deaths, according to the Health Ministry.
The decision on a second booster comes after the Andean country of around 50 million people hit its target of fully vaccinating 70% of its population, the government said.
Register
A second booster shot "will be important to keep protecting ourselves, saving lives, and giving confidence to the population," President Ivan Duque said in a statement.
Second boosters will consist of either a half dose of the Moderna (MRNA.O) vaccine or a full dose of the Pfizer (PFE.N) vaccine, he added.
Those eligible for the second booster can get it four months after receiving their first, the government said.
The government in March had started to offer second boosters to those with autoimmune conditions and those who had received organ transplants.
Almost 11.9 million people have received a first booster shot, according to Health Ministry figures, while just over 19,000 have had a second booster.
Register
Reporting by Oliver Griffin; Editing by Leslie Adler
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) Kansas coronavirus cases crept up a bit more this week. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment reports 2,232 new cases in the past seven days. It says the seven-day average of cases is 271, which is 12 more than last weeks seven-day average.
The Kansas COVID-19 death toll increased by 56, bringing it to 8,691. However, the KDHE said only two of those deaths happened in the past week. When the death toll increases that much, it is sometimes because officials have finalized death certificates from older cases.
The KDHE said 69 Kansans are hospitalized with COVID-19. That is 12 fewer than last week. Of the 95 hospitals reporting to the KDHE on Thursday, the patients are:
Some of the recent coronavirus cases have been tested for variants. The KDHE said 22 of the recent tests were the BA.2 stealth omicron variant.
Kansans continue to get vaccinated against the coronavirus. Since last Friday:
Of Kansans who are eligible to get vaccinated, the KDHE reports 67.07% have received at least one dose of vaccine, while 58.53% have completed a vaccine series.
CDC Mask Guidelines based on community-level transmission:Low (green):No mask needed indoors (get tested if you have symptoms)Medium (yellow):Mask recommended for high-risk patients (discuss with your healthcare provider)High (orange):Should wear mask indoors in publicKansas coronavirus cases updated May 6, 2022CDC Community transmission rates updated May 5, 2022Sources:Kansas Department of Health and EnvironmentCenters for Disease Control
Taipei is easing COVID-19 curbs even as its daily cases are rising, in a strategy radically different from Beijings zero-tolerance policy that has shut down many Chinese cities and sent the economy into a tailspin.
On May 5, Taiwan recorded more than 30,000 new COVID-19 infectionscrossing that daily threshold for the first time since the pandemic began. The current wave of infections looks to get worse for the island of 23 million, which has so far registered nearly 232,400 casessome 215,000 since Januaryand 886 fatalities.
Daily caseloads are expected to rise even further because of the Omicron variant. Health minister Chen Shih-chung said earlier that Taiwan was on track to record up to 100,000 new infections daily, much more than the initial projection of 45,000.
Yet, in the face of this spike, the government has signaled a shift in the pandemic strategy it has been following for two years, away from virus suppression characterized by draconian travel restrictions, mask-wearing mandates, and fastidious contact tracing. A month into the launch of a new Taiwanese model of COVID-19 containment, asymptomatic and mild cases are being isolated at home, save for infected children. Close contacts need only be quarantined for three days instead of the earlier 10. Quarantine for arrivals will be cut down from 10 to just seven days.
Read More: How Hong Kong Became Chinas Biggest COVID Problem
Premier Su Tseng-chang said this new approach isnt exactly living with COVID-19, as the virus would not be allowed to spread unchecked. But prevention of the virus from spreading is to be balanced with reopening the economy and allowing people to live normally, he emphasized. There would be no stringent lockdowns, Su told reporters on May 1. Health officials are to focus on minimizing severe cases and maintaining effective control of mild or asymptomatic ones.
On the other side of the Taiwanese Strait, the zero-COVID policy has seen drastic restrictions on normal life. Entire cities in mainland China have been locked down for weeks. Ports and factories have had their operations suspended. Health apps on mobile phones govern access to transport and public facilities. Though curbs are now being loosened in Hong Kong, harsh travel restrictions over the past two years have temporarily reduced the proud aviation hub and freewheeling financial center to a shadow of its former self.
Experts say Taiwan must find its own approach given the highly transmissible nature of the Omicron variant. Any containment protocol has to be dynamically revised according to the situation of the epidemic or other characteristics of this virus, says Chen Chien-jen, who was Taiwans vice-president from 2016 to 2020 and is an epidemiologist by training.
Pedestrians wearing protective masks cross a street at a shopping district in Taipei, Taiwan, on Saturday, April 16, 2022.
Lam Yik Fei/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Taiwan has successfully fended off COVID-19 outbreaks in the past. The island banned flights from across the strait in January 2020, immediately after the virus was detected in the central Chinese city of Wuhan. Swift tracing of close contacts, mass testing, and a centralized mask distribution system helped Taiwan avoid a lockdown, save for some soft curbs a year ago to control an outbreak of the Alpha variant.
Last summer, Taiwans COVID-19 response was again put to the test in the face of hundreds of new infections. At the time, the island was struggling to source COVID-19 vaccines and only 3% of its eligible population was vaccinated. New arrivals were required to undergo a 14-day quarantine, and strict contact-tracing policies were imposed on restaurants, stores and other businesses. Taiwans COVID-19 cases ballooned to around 11,000 by June 2021 and more than 800 people died during the wave.
Taiwan also began rolling out its locally developed vaccines around the same time. Chen tells TIME that a high vaccination rate, and the availability of rapid testing and antiviral therapies, had to be in place before Taiwan could move away from its de facto zero-COVID policy. The island has now vaccinated 79% of its population, secured some 40 million test kits, and will have obtained 700,000 courses of Pfizers COVID-19 drug, Paxlovid, by June. Around 180,000 courses have already been distributed to hospitals and pharmacies.
Read More: Global Shortages Loom as China Lockdowns Continue
There has been some vaccine resistance among Taiwans elderly. There will still be groups who feel that since they had almost no chance of getting the virus when Taiwan had no cases, [they dont] need to get the vaccine now, says Wayne Soon, a history professor at Vassar College in New York, who studies medical ideas and practices in East Asia. But COVID-19 immunization among those aged 75 and above has now reached 72.5%, with nearly 60% in the same age group having received a booster.
In Hong Kong, by comparison, only around 25% of those aged 80 and above were vaccinated by January, just before a massive surge in infections. This led to many severe cases, overwhelming the health care system. Roughly 9,300 people have died of COVID in the territory, with 98% of those fatalities occurring in the latest, Omicron-driven outbreak. Over 95% of those who died were aged 60 and above.
Hong Kong, too, appears to be walking back its previous zero-COVID protocols, with curbs easing on businesses and travel. Huang Yanzhong, a global health policy expert at the Council on Foreign Relations tells TIME that Hong Kong can likewise expect numbers to surge as regulations are loosened, but cases should be asymptomatic or mildas are 99% of the cases in Taiwans current wave of infection.
You cannot expect to move away from zero-COVID unless they experience this stage, this feature, this spike in cases, including the severe cases and also the mortality rate, Huang says. But that can be managed. That transition can be achieved [at] a manageable level.
More Must-Read Stories From TIME
Contact us at letters@time.com.
EASTON, Pa. - Confusion about vaccines and whether to get a third or fourth COVID shot continues to grow.
"A lot of this emanates from a very uncoordinated approach from our public health agencies," said Dr. Jeffrey Jahre, the senior vice president of medical and academic affairs and an infectious disease specialist at St. Luke's University Health Network.
In a report released this week, a trio of top FDA officials said to expect vaccines to become part of the new normal, and that getting one new, updated shot each fall could save lives and minimize societal disruptions.
But Dr. Jahre believes given the data scientists have now, it's too early to be sure.
"I think that is an overreach," said Dr. Jahre. "We don't know whether this is going to be necessary."
He also says there isn't data to support the rumor everyone will always need boosters every few months.
The FDA has meetings on a variety of topics scheduled throughout the month of June.
There are set to be discussions on a new vaccine from the manufacturer Novavax, using Moderna and Pfizer shots for younger populations, and whether the current vaccines' strain composition should be modified for the fall.
"I think most things are pointing toward needing a booster sometime in the early fall," said Dr. Alex Benjamin, the chief of infection control and hospital epidemiology at Lehigh Valley Health Network.
"As we seek and gain new knowledge, we have to take advantage of that knowledge and adjust our recommendations so that it fits with that knowledge," said Dr. Benjamin.
Right now, people over age 50 or those who are immunocompromised are eligible for a fourth dose, or what's known as a second booster.
"In those populations of people who receive second boosters, we know that their immunity levels wane after the first booster dose, but are sort of rejuvenated again after the second booster," said Dr. Benjamin.
If you're over age 50, but don't have health conditions and are thinking about a fourth dose, doctors say to consider the infection rate in your community.
"Do you take care of kids who are not eligible to be vaccinated? Do you take care of older parents? Are you planning to travel anytime soon?" Dr. Benjamin said.
Dr. Jahre agrees with the mentality: one size doesn't fit all.
While the answers to many questions are still to be determined, Dr. Jahre says something that is certain: it's not too late to get vaccinated.
"There's absolutely no question that if you have had at least two doses of either the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine, that you're much more highly protected against the severe consequences of the disease," said Dr. Jahre.
Coronavirus cases in the Lehigh Valley are on the rise.
