BOSTON (CBS) Among the bucolic lighthouses and rolling bluffs, theres something fishy happening on Marthas Vineyard. Just days before Massachusetts dropped all COVID-19 restrictions, the island reported a small coronavirus surge of sorts that started earlier in the spring.
Week ending April 3rd, we had the most cases weve had since the beginning of the pandemic, said Maura Valley, the health agent for Tisbury.
According to the states COVID-19 dashboard released on May 27, Dukes and Nantucket counties were the only counties that reported COVID positivity rates higher than the previous two weeks at 5.28%. That rate is more than five times higher than the states average of 1.03%.
It seems to be younger people but thats probably because a larger number of them are not vaccinated, Valley said.
The trend is puzzling as Dukes County has a high percentage of residents fully vaccinated, 68% according to state data.
Dr. Michael Stoto, an epidemiologist and public health researcher at Georgetown University and the Harvard T. Chan School of Public Health, said the Vineyard may simply be detecting more cases of the virus than regions where COVID testing has waned.
And the reason is because theres been a very effective testing infrastructure and contact tracing infrastructure, said Stoto, who is also a Vineyard summer resident.
What the data demonstrates is that the virus can continue to exist even among small pockets of unvaccinated people. The same holds true in Hampden County which has the lowest number of fully vaccinated residents in the state at 37%. There, the COVID-19 positivity rate is 2.19%, a number lower than the previous two weeks.
The numbers are similar in Bristol County, where the percentage of the population fully vaccinated stands at 41%. The COVID-19 positivity rate is 2.39% and falling.
Dr. Dani Hackner, the physician in chief for Southcoast Health, said he believes demographics have something to do with Bristols low vaccination rate.
You think that folks who have chronic illnesses and social vulnerability would be more likely to get vaccinated but thats not always the case, he said.
Even as numbers drop, Hackner said unvaccinated individuals continue to get the virus and face hospitalization.
We have seen some very sad cases of people who did not want to get vaccinated and it led to very severe illness.
Vermont Business Magazine The VDH is reporting only two cases of COVID-19 as cases in Vermont, across the region and across the US subside. There have been no COVID-related deaths in the state in 15 days, which are holding at 255. Vermont is the only state with no fatalities during that span. Governor Phil Scott has said that once 80 percent of eligible Vermonters are vaccinated, all state COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted. At his Tuesday press conference, Governor Scott said that only about 11,000 more Vermonters need to get their shot in order to meet this goal.
June 1, 2021
New or updated information is in red and bold
This update is available online at healthvermont.gov/covid19
Click the See the Daily Update button
Help get Vermont closer to its goal of lifting COVID-19 restrictions by getting vaccinated! Governor Phil Scott has said that once 80% of eligible Vermonters are vaccinated, all state COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted. At his Tuesday press conference, Governor Scott said that only about 11,000 more Vermonters need to get their shot in order to meet this goal.
We continue to add walk-in and other special vaccination opportunities, including at workplaces, houses of worship, libraries, mobile home parks and more. The rained-out Thunder Road clinic, originally set for this past Sunday as part of the Memorial Day Classic, has been rescheduled for Friday, June 4.
Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD, said on Tuesday that if youve been waiting to get vaccinated by your doctor or primary care practice, it might be time to call and see if they are participating, and if they are, get scheduled for your shot.
Vermont employers, health and service organizations, community groups and others who want to host or request a vaccination clinic are encouraged to send in this online Vaccine Clinic Request Form.
If you or anyone you know are still looking for a convenient place to get your shot, just visit healthvermont.gov/MyVaccine or call 855-722-7878. And help spread the word!
Dr. Levine also reminded Vermonters that for public health, meeting the 80% goal does not mean our work stops.
The higher we can get Vermonts vaccination rate, the higher the probability we will truly suppress coronavirus activity in this state, he said. This leads to less opportunity for the virus to be spread between susceptible people, meaning less likelihood of mutations and more virulent strains, and boding well for the fall and winter respiratory virus season.
Vermont Forward Vaccination Data
As of 12 p.m. on June 1, 2021
This data is used to measure progress toward the Vermont Forward goal of 80% of eligible Vermonters vaccinated, when COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted. Data is reported by the CDC and adjusted for duplicate reporting.
PLEASE NOTE: Percentages do not include data from Sunday and Monday, due to the CDCs Memorial Day reporting schedule and our work to adjust the data accordingly. Data will be included in tomorrows (June 2) update.
Description
Number
Percent of eligible Vermonters (12+) with at least one vaccine dose
77.9%
Number of Vermonters needed to reach goal
11,346
Find Health Department vaccine data, including vaccination rates by county, age, sex, race and ethnicity, at the COVID-19 Vaccine Dashboard:
healthvermont.gov/covid19-vaccine-data.
COVID-19 Activity in Vermont
As of 12 p.m. on June 1, 2021
Data is updated daily.
Description
Number
New cases
2
(24,224 total)
Currently hospitalized
3
Hospitalized in ICU
1
Hospitalized under investigation
0
Percent Positive (7-day average)
1%
People tested
394,267
Total tests
1,695,921
Total people recovered
23,115
Deaths
255
Find more data on COVID-19 Activity at:healthvermont.gov/currentactivity.
Additional Resources About Vaccination and More
The World Health Organization simplifies the names of COVID-19 variants; updated Equal Employment Opportunity Commission guidance suggests employers can mandate COVID-19 vaccines; study finds a record 1.1 billion smokers were reported worldwide in 2019.
In an effort to create a less technical way of describing COVID-19 variants to nonscientific audiences, the World Health Organization (WHO) will leverage the Greek alphabet, using letters like alpha, beta, and gamma, to replace the variant names of B.1.1.7, B.1.351, and P.1, respectively. Reported by Bloomberg, a group of scientists gathered together by WHO divided the virus strains into categories as of interest and of concern. The 24 letters of the Greek alphabet will be used to term the virus strains; a new series will be announced by WHO once these letters have all been taken.
According to an updated guidance from the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, employers are allowed to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine among their workforce, as well as provide incentives to workers, such as cash, to become vaccinated. As reported by CBS News, employers will still be required to provide accommodations for employees who are exempt from mandatory immunization under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.
In findings of a study published last week in The Lancet, a record 1.1 billion smokers, and nearly 8 million related deaths, were reported worldwide in 2019, with progress against the prevalence of smoking found to have slowed in the last 10 years. According to Fox News, results indicated that the most common health issues associated with smoking among both sexes included ischemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, tracheal, bronchus, lung cancer, and stroke, which altogether accounted for 72% of all smoking-related deaths in 2019.
If you're getting a kit together, officials are reminding you to include hand sanitizer and PPE. However, there's another thing they're encourage everyone do.
JEFFERSON PARISH, La. With hurricane season underway, now is the time to get a hurricane plan in place.
Destructive, frustrating, exhausting. However you want to describe the 2020 hurricane season, we can all agree it was one to remember.
"It never ended, we kicked it off in June and we were still in cones every month until we wrapped up in October there with Zeta's passing," said Benjamin Schott, Meteorologist in Charge at the National Weather Service in Slidell.
Now, whether we like it or not, a new season has started and projections aren't ideal.
"A lot of the forecasts look like last year," Schott said. "So, that doesn't give anyone warm fuzzy feelings going into the season."
This is the second hurricane season to happen in the midst of the pandemic, but the first with vaccines available. So, what roll will that play if evacuations are ever ordered?
"We're working closely with GOHSEP with the unified sheltering plan," said Joseph Valiente with the Jefferson Parish Emergency Management.
Valiente says conversations are happening now specifically about that, but says if people need help evacuating, that it could look a bit more like it did pre-pandemic.
"Currently, if it stays at this level with COVID response, we'll go to congregate sheltering," he said. "Which means the old fashion way. We'll put quite a few people in an enclosed area."
So one thing he says people should do to prepare: Get vaccinated.
"We can't stress that enough, because if you evacuate you may have to go 300-400 miles, you don't know what COVID situation in that area will be," he said.
The forecasts show 13 to 20 hurricanes this season, but officials say it just takes one. So keep your guard up, and be ready for whatever may come our way.
Temperature checks will be taken for those evacuating and if found to have a fever will isolate until being tested. PPE will also be made available as well, but authorities encourage people to remember their own PPE and hand sanitizer in their personal hurricane kits.
On May 27th, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued guidance for parents/patients regarding reports of a small number of individuals nationally who developed a rare condition known as myocarditis after recently being vaccinated for COVID-19.
The CDC, and DPH, continue to encourage everyone 12 and older to get vaccinated, as the risk to unvaccinated individuals of contracting COVID-19 and suffering serious illness far exceeds the risk of developing this very rare condition. The CDC continues to evaluate these reported cases, and is encouraging reporting to its nationalvaccine safetymonitoring systems, but thus far the CDC has not found a clear link between vaccine and myocarditis.
Myocarditis isinflammation of the heart muscle. While myocarditis can be serious, it is frequently mild and can fully resolve with appropriate treatment. Symptoms can include abnormal heart rhythms, shortness of breath, or chest pain. Myocarditis can be caused by viruses, like the common cold, seasonal flu and COVID-19.
As of May 24th, working with several Connecticut hospitals, DPH has identified 18 people out of nearly 400,000 fully vaccinated 16-34 year olds who have developed myocarditis after recently receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. DPH will continue to monitor and collect data on future reported cases and collaborate with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on vaccine safety monitoring.
The American Heart Association and American Stroke Association continue to strongly encourage COVID-19 vaccination, as the benefits of vaccination far outweigh the rare possible risk for heart-related complications.
On Friday, city officials announced that nearly all COVID-19 restrictions will be lifted in Philly on Wednesday, June 2, nearly ten days earlier than originally planned. As of tomorrow, density limits, capacity limits, and social distancing rules will end, with an 11 p.m. dining last call remaining in place at restaurants and masks still required until at least June 11, when the Health Department will reassess coronavirus cases in the city.
The larger commonwealth of Pennsylvania lifted all restrictions on Monday, May 31, to cap off the Memorial Day weekend. As has been the case throughout the pandemic, the city of Philadelphia has kept its own rules, which meant limiting restaurants to a maximum of 75 percent capacity for indoor dining. The changes taking effect on June 2 mean an almost full return to normal for bars and restaurants in the city.
Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Cheryl Bettigole, who replaced former commissioner Thomas Farley after he resigned last month over mishandling the remains of victims from the 1985 MOVE Bombing, said that COVID cases have continued to drop and positivity rates and hospitalizations remain low. These are encouraging signs that vaccination is truly turning the tide in Philadelphia, Bettigole said. We still have work to do to reach all Philadelphians, but we also want people to celebrate the good parts of life that we get back by getting vaccinated.
Masks are still required indoors in both the city and the state. Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf previously said that mask mandates will be lifted by the end of June. According to city officials, the mask mandate and 11 p.m. last call could be lifted on June 11, but only after the Health Department reviews the state of the pandemic in the city.
The latest CDC guidance for vaccinated diners during the COVID-19 outbreak is here; dining out still carries risks for unvaccinated diners and workers. Please be aware of changing local rules, and check individual restaurant websites for any additional restrictions such as mask requirements. Find a local vaccination site here.
Sign up for our newsletter.
What GAO Found
In fiscal year 2020, Congress provided the Small Business Administration (SBA) about $3.4 billion in supplemental appropriations to administer small business assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, including loan programs such as the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). That amount is seven times greater than SBA's typical annual resources for salaries and expenses (a budget category encompassing many administrative costs). SBA spending plans show that the agency planned to use the supplemental administrative funds primarily for contract and personnel costs.
As of January 31, 2021, SBA had obligated about 57 percent ($1.9 billion) and expended 49 percent ($1.6 billion) of the supplemental appropriations. SBA used about three-quarters of those funds for contractual services and about one-fifth for personnel (payroll, benefits, and overtime) costs (see figure).
SBA's Obligations and Outlays of Fiscal Year 2020 Supplemental Appropriations for Administrative Expenses as of January 31, 2021, by Use Category
Note: Percentages may not sum to 100 because of rounding.
SBA has used the supplemental funds for a variety of contractual services, including (1) loan processing and other loan administration services and (2) information technology products and services. For example, as of January 31, 2021, SBA had obligated about $750 million in supplemental funds for a contract for processing EIDL loan applications and providing recommendations on loan decisions. As of that date, SBA also had obligated about $150 million for a contract to enhance SBA's technology for implementing PPP loan forgiveness provisions. Regarding personnel costs, SBA determined that it needed large, temporary staff increases to manage the greater volume of assistance during the pandemic. According to SBA, the agency hired more than 6,000 temporary employeesalmost one-half of them for loan specialist positionsfor the office that administers the EIDL program. SBA also reported hiring close to 400 temporary employeesabout two-thirds of them for loan specialist positionsfor other SBA components, including the office that administers PPP.
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted small businesses and generated an immediate need for emergency funding to keep businesses operating. In response, Congress dramatically increased the amount of loans, grants, and other financial assistance available from SBA. To help SBA manage the large volume of assistance, Congress provided the agency additional funds for administrative expenses.
Congress included a provision in statute for GAO to report on SBA's use of supplemental appropriations provided in fiscal year 2020 for administrative expenses. This report discusses (1) the amount of supplemental appropriations SBA received in fiscal year 2020 for administrative expenses and SBA's planned uses for these funds, and (2) the extent to which SBA had obligated and expended these funds as of January 31, 2021, and for what purposes.
To conduct this work, GAO reviewed appropriations legislation, analyzed SBA spending plans and financial data, and interviewed SBA officials.
For more information, contact William B. Shear at (202) 512-8678 or shearw@gao.gov.
Most Popular #1'COVID arm' rash seen after Moderna vaccine annoying but harmless, doctors say
An angry red rash being called COVID arm is a harmless but annoying response in some people who get the Moderna vaccine. Aside from sometimes being itchy, it doesn't appear to be dangerous, and...
Twenty-three people died in Norway within days of receiving their first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine, with 13 of those deaths all nursing home patients apparently related to the side...
All six new codes will be effective January 1, 2021....
A conspiracy ripping through the anti-vax world may finally drive some anti-maskers to do the unthinkable: wear a mask and keep their distance.The conspiracywhich comes in several shapes and...
Individuals can use the online calculator to estimate their risk of dying from COVID-19 if they become infected with the coronavirus....
Poor Wuhan. Once known as a megacity on the make, now it always will be known as the birthplace of COVID-19. And it may be that the deadly disease that has so far killed more than 3.5 million globally, with nearly 595,000 US deaths and counting, didnt even come from Wuhan, according to the most fulsome World Health Organization study on the subject. That said, a number of respected scientists have challenged the findings of the study, including the World Health Organizations own director.
President Biden just stirred the pot on that origin story by publicly directing the US intelligence community to examine the hypothesis that the virus came from a Chinese laboratory. There may be sufficient evidence in the classified reporting to warrant more analysis, or Biden may just be trying to pressure the Chinese government to be more cooperative. Either way, its not such an outlandish suggestion, once removed from a racist framing. While many scientists who have studied the genetic structure of the virus believe its a natural pathogen, that doesnt preclude an accidental release of a coronavirus sample collected elsewhere in China and brought to a Wuhan lab for study. Such accidents do happen, including in the United States.
We are unlikely to know the truth any time soon, and maybe not ever. But its worth considering what it would mean for China and the growing US-China rivalry if it does turn out to be a lab accident.
As the saying goes, its not the crime (or the accident), but the cover-up thats the problem. If this were a lab incident, the Chinese government either has known that all along and concealed the information or impeded that discovery by blocking international investigators from collecting information, as the World Health Organization directors March 30 statement suggests. China, it seems, has something to hide whether its about the origins of the virus or force of habit is hard to say.
An October Pew Research Center poll suggests that the pandemic has lowered global public opinion of the Chinese government, which was not especially well liked before (neither is the United States, for that matter). A confirmation of a cover-up will certainly make that worse, as will a bigger global economic crisis, especially with Chinas economy being relatively unscathed. Aid, trade, and investment may mitigate that dislike, or it may be that countries will continue to accept Chinese investment without changing public opinion. One terrible consequence is discrimination and violence toward Chinese nationals and the Asian diaspora, with attacks on Asians rising worldwide, including in the United States.
Countries that have been heavily affected by the virus and economic fallout are especially unlikely to forgive the deliberate withholding of crucial information. That is particularly true of India, which is now setting grim records every day for numbers of infections and deaths. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, previously unsinkable, is taking a hit for his mismanagement and mixed signals, and he may well be interested in shifting the blame. China would make a handy scapegoat, given the long history of enmity between the two nations, which spilled over in border clashes again last year and may again this year.
On some level, it will come as little surprise if the Chinese government withheld information and misled investigators. Its what authoritarian governments do. And while democratic governments also try to hide embarrassing or damning information, they tend to be more porous and not great at keeping secrets. Whether its a deliberate embrace of transparency or part of the messiness of democracy, it adds up to a trust gap. The United States, historically, is more reliable, especially when it comes to bad news.
Trust will be a valuable commodity in the 21st-century competition for influence, given the spreading miasma of high tech and government-sponsored misinformation and disinformation. Of course, its not really a commodity its an intangible quality, one easily lost and hard to gain. Presidents who lie, crackpot conspiracy theories, and systemic discrimination have all been undermining Americas reliability. Even if the United States continues to squander its comparative advantage, though, it will be hard for China to close the trust gap.
The Chinese government does have two things going for it: presence and the win-win nature of trust. Given a choice between a vaccine produced by an American company and Chinas state-owned company Sinopharm, most countries are going to want the former. But if Sinopharm is all they can get, thats what they will take especially when its more affordable or free.
That may help build global trust in China, but is unlikely to matter if it turns out the government did conceal the origins of the virus. It gives China a strong motive to continue to hide that information or to misdirect investigators and dont be surprised if the Chinese government finds proof that frozen meat from the United States was the source of this outbreak. Theyve been laying the groundwork for that false narrative for some time, and while its ridiculous on its face, it may well work for the Chinese public. With many Americans believing the Chinese government deliberately released the virus and many Chinese believing the same of the United States, the rivalry between the two nations could enter an unstable and dangerous phase.
On the other hand, trust is not zero sum. If China should choose to be more forthcoming, it would not necessarily be a loss for the USs strategic position, but it could well be a gain for all nations.
Sharon E. Burke is the director of resource security for New America.
A medical worker fills a syringe with a dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus disease (COVID-19) vaccine as Japan launches its inoculation campaign, at Tokyo Medical Center in Tokyo, Japan February 17, 2021. Behrouz Mehri/Pool via REUTERS
Japan plans to start COVID-19 vaccination at workplaces and universities on June 21 to speed up the country's inoculation drive, a top government spokesman said on Tuesday.
Moderna Inc (MRNA.O) vaccines will be used for those areas, Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Katsunobu Kato told a news conference.
Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
