Britain is increasingly confident that vaccines work against the coronavirus variant first found in India, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday, with a leading epidemiologist saying it may be spreading less quickly than first feared.
Johnson has warned that the emergence of the B.1.617.2 variant might derail his plans to lift England's lockdown fully on June 21, but on Wednesday he said the latest data had been encouraging.
"We have increasing confidence vaccines are effective against all variants, including the Indian variant," he told parliament. read more
Johnson last week said the extent to which the variant could disrupt the planned exit from lockdown would depend on how much more transmissible it was. read more
British health minister Matt Hancock told a media conference there had been 2,967 cases of the variant, and reiterated that a decision on the next stage of easing of social restrictions would not take place until June 14.
England's deputy chief medical officer Jonathan Van-Tam said the best estimate was that the Indian variant was somewhere between a few percent and 50% more transmissible, and data should provide a clearer picture next week.
"I think most people feel it is going to be somewhere in the middle, rather than at the extremes of that band," Van-Tam told a media conference.
Neil Ferguson, an epidemiologist at Imperial College London, said there was a "glimmer of hope" from the latest data that the transmissibility of the variant might be lower than first feared.
"The magnitude of that advantage seems to have dropped a little bit with the most recent data," he told BBC radio, adding more data was needed.
He said that while it was likely vaccines would continue to protect against severe disease, the variant might lead to reduced vaccine efficacy against infection and transmission.
Ferguson said the initial rapid growth of B.1.617.2 had been among people who had travelled, were more likely to live in multi-generational households or in deprived areas, and that the ease of transmission might not be replicated in other settings.
Graham Medley, a professor of disease modelling at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a member of the government's Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE), said that while the variant was growing quickly in some hotspots, "we haven't yet seen it take off and grow rapidly everywhere else".
"One of the key things we'll be looking for in the coming weeks will be: how far does it spread outside of those areas," he told Reuters.
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19 May, 2021
Media Contact:Orange County Fire RescuePhone: 407-836-9890Email: FirePIO@ocfl.net
Orange County, Fla. May 19, 2021 Orange County will be distributing weather radios, ahead of hurricane season, at five Orange County Government COVID-19 vaccination sites this week.
In anticipation of the 2021 Hurricane Season, that begins June 1, 2021 continues until November 30th, the Office of Emergency Management at Orange County Fire Rescue will distribute 500 radios throughout the course of the week at all five vaccination sites in the County.
The sites include:
Orange County wants to assure that our citizens are prepared for the upcoming Hurricane Season by making sure that everyone is vaccinated and prepared for any hazardous weather that may impact our area, said Lauraleigh Avery, Emergency Manager, Orange County Office of Emergency Management. Orange County families that visit our five vaccination sites can receive a free weather alert radio and an Orange County Emergency Preparedness Guide while supplies last. Preparing today, provides for a safer tomorrow.
Orange County will be providing 25 free weather radios per day, at the five Orange County COVID-19 vaccination sites on a first-come, first-serve basis. One weather radio will be provided, per family that participates in getting vaccinated. It is the goal of Orange County Fire Rescue to make sure all residents can stay informed during a weather emergency by using weather radios in the home.
The 500 radios will be given away to citizens participating in getting vaccinated starting Thursday, May 20th through Sunday May 23rd.
For more information about the sites and times, please go to www.ocfl.net/vaccine.
About Orange County Government:Orange County Government strives to serve its residents and guests with integrity, honesty, fairness and professionalism. Located in Central Florida, Orange County includes 13 municipalities and is home to world-famous theme parks, one of the nations largest convention centers and a thriving life science research park. Seven elected members make up the Board of County Commissioners, including the Mayor, who is elected countywide. For more information, please visitwww.OCFL.netor go toOrange County Governments social media channels.
Its really interesting, in our Coastal Health District, 73 percent of the positives are in individuals under the age of 40 and all of those have not been vaccinated so the message is that its extremely important to get the vaccine number one to help us get back to some sense of normalcy but also to protect them, Brown said.
TRI-CITIES, Tenn. (WJHL)- Schools across the region are preparing to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars for summer learning programs through state and federal funds.
"All of our certified staff are paid $45 an hour to work this program. Our classified staff, kind of our support staff and those other folks like our school nutrition workers and our bus drivers and those types folks, they are being paid at a rate of $25 an hour," said Andy True, assistant superintendent for Kingsport City Schools. "For many folks, they're going to double their hourly rate to work this summer."
Government Scientist Kizzmekia Corbett is answering questions from the public about the COVID-19 vaccine. This as a new AP-NORC poll shows reluctance to get the vaccine has gone down in the last few months. (May 11) AP Domestic
EVANSVILLE, Ind. Vaccination against COVID-19 continues to slow down locally, with Vanderburgh County's seven-day average of total daily doses continuing to sink but children ages 12-15 are leading all local age groups.
The county's seven-day average of total daily doses was 514 as of Tuesday, the most recent day for which data is available. That is at least not as low as the moving average of 507 posted on Friday, but it represents a steady decline since the number reached 1,076 on May 4.
The Indiana State Department of Health defines the seven-day average of total daily doses as "the moving average (6 previous days and 1 current day) of all doses administered. The number can be found on ISDH'sCOVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard.
Children 12-15 became eligible for the Pfizer vaccine on Thursday,after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and a federal committee recommended vaccine use for the age group.Anyone under 18 needs parental consent to be vaccinated. The consent form can be completed online atourshot.in.gov.
Since then, according to ISDH's Indiana Data Hub, 625 children ages 12-15 in Vanderburgh County have received first doses. Fifty-eightreceived a first dose in the previous 24 hours, which is more than twice as large as the next-largest age group posting. Teenagers 16-19 received 22 first doses.
Local health and medical officials have hoped a weeks-long slowdown in vaccination can be arrested by the eligibility of 12-15-year-oldsand by the launchingof a flurry of pop-up clinics for whichthe Vanderburgh County Health Department will takeaMetropolitan Evansville Transit System (METS) bus to neighborhoods.
But so far, it hasn't happened.
Tuesday's most-recent seven-day average of total daily doses,514, is less than a third of the1,548 posted as recently asApril 12.
Vanderburgh County's daily count of newly vaccinated residents was 218on Wednesday, bringing the county's total to 71,736.
The countyreported 11new confirmed coronavirus cases Wednesday, making 22,387in all during the pandemic.No new deaths attributable to COVID-19 were reportedin Vanderburgh, Warrick, Gibson or Posey counties.
Vanderburgh County's seven-day positivity rate for individuals clocked in at 6.2% Wednesday.
All the data can be found onIndiana State Department of Health'sstatewide dashboard of cases and the state agency'sCOVID-19 Vaccination Dashboard.
With Wednesday's numbers, Vanderburgh, Warrick, Posey and Gibson counties have now reported a total of 118,239fully vaccinated individuals. Statewide, the number is2,346,698.
Almost all of Vanderburgh County's 71,736fully vaccinated residents 69,591, or 97%got there by takingboth stages of the two-dose Moderna or Pfizer vaccines. Just 2,145local residents have taken the single-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
Statewide, 819new COVID-19 cases and 12new deaths were reported on Wednesday.The pandemic'stoll stands at 737,282cases and13,101deaths statewide.
Vanderburgh, Warrick, Posey and Gibson counties remainat a "blue" level advisory on the ISDH's color-coded state map of county-level advisories. ISDH updates the map every Wednesday.
The advisory level map is based on weekly COVID-19 case numbers per 100,000 residents. A "blue" advisory indicates there are less than 10 new cases per 100,000 residents, while a "yellow" advisory covers 10-99 new cases per 100,000 people.
Variants at bay: COVID-19 vaccinations help hold off variants, doctors say. Other factors also play a role
New positive cases: 819
Total positive cases:737,282
New deaths: 12
Total deaths:13,101
7-day positivity rate for unique individuals: 10.4%
Total who are fully vaccinated:2,346,698
COVID-19 vaccine?No thanks, many Evansville conservative Christians say
New positive cases: 11
Total positive cases:22,387
Total deaths: 397
7-day positivity rate for unique individuals: 6.2%
Total who are fully vaccinated:71,736
More:Evansville area pet owners feel impact of veterinarian shortage
New positive cases: 4
Positive cases: 7,805
Total deaths: 155
7-day positivity rate for unique individuals: 8.4%
Total who are fully vaccinated: 27,366
More: 'The only path': Deaconess president says vaccination holdouts will make COVID permanent
New positive cases: 1
Positive cases:2,721
Total deaths: 34
7-day positivity rate for unique individuals: 11.6%
Total who are fully vaccinated: 8,608
New positive cases: 14
Positive cases: 4,391
Total deaths: 92
7-day positivity rate for unique individuals: 11.0%
Total who are fully vaccinated: 10,529
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The UNC Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health is utilizing technology and outreach efforts to provide their patients with the COVID-19 vaccine.
The Center for Excellence in Community Mental Health is taking an assertive, multipronged approach to make certain that its patients get a fair shot at getting their shot. The CECMHs vaccination team, led by Austin Hall, MD, has the goal of a rate of vaccination in its severely mentally ill population of around 1600 individuals that exceeds the rate for the general public in North Carolina.
Mental health providers are often the most trusted source of health recommendations for this vulnerable group. In the Covid-19 pandemic, that trust has been more important than ever. The severely mentally ill are among the most high-risk groups for serious complications and death from Covid-19. They also are more susceptible to online and media health misinformation.
Early after approval of the first Covid-19 vaccine, the Center began planning how it would support vaccine uptake in a population that, in a typical year, is only half as likely to get a flu shot compared to the general public. There is no one barrier to vaccination for the seriously mentally ill. Socioeconomic vulnerabilities, skepticism of the health system, fragmented care, and vaccine misinformation all play a role. Therefore, the Centers approach has been multifaceted. It has included advocating for reserved appointments for these individuals at vaccine clinics, on-site vaccination events at our Center locations, and the development of messaging for clinicians to use around vaccine hesitancy tailored to the needs of this population. Additionally, robust data-tracking and analytics, to identify opportunities for improvement, have supported the project throughout.
As of Mid May 2021, 51% of Center patients had received at least one vaccine dose, just about 1% ahead the rate of the general public in North Carolina. The Center vaccine teams efforts will continue through the summer and likely beyond.
CHRISTIANSBURG, Va. (WFXR) -- Christiansburg native Derrick Lancaster was involved in this fiery crash last month at the ARCA race at Talladega. He spent a few days in an Alabama hospital before coming back home. Derrick's road to recovery has included trips to VCU for hydrotherapy which is him getting what is comparable to a power wash to keep his 2nd and 3rd degree burns on his face, neck and arms clean. Overall, it is tough for Derrick and his wife Beth to look back on that fiery day at Talladega last month.
"They tell us where the fire trucks are so I new I had to drive where the fire trucks were. I knew the grass was wet from the four inches of rain we had from the night before. So I drove to thru to get to the water to put out what fire I could but I knew I had help. Pretty much at that point, once I got the car stopped, I started to get out, they helped me get out, I do not remember anything until Wednesday," said Derrick Lancaster.
YPSILANTI, MI -- The Pull Over Prevention Clinic is back in Ypsilanti, and this time participants can also be administered a COVID-19 vaccine.
The free event is 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 22, at Masjid Ibrahim, the Islamic Association of Ypsilanti, 315 S. Ford Blvd.
Pull Over Prevention Clinics have been conducted several times since last August, when the Huron Valley Democratic Socialists of America, the Mutual Aid Network of Ypsilanti and Peace House Ypsilanti combined as a response to institutional racism and mass unemployment or under-employment, officials said.
Racial injustices fuel these Ypsilanti-area organizations to provide free minor car repairs
The POP Clinics provide free repairs of broken brake lights, headlights, license plate lights, other minor automotive issues and on-site consultation for other maintenance and repair concerns. When minor automotive issues are used as justification for a traffic stop by police, a failed brake light can lead to a dangerous outcome, officials said.
As Michigan continues its COVID-19 vaccination efforts, POP is partnering with the Washtenaw County Health Department to administer COVID-19 vaccinations at this event for those 18-years-old and older, no appointments necessary, officials said.
Participants will have the opportunity to choose either the one dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine or the two-dose Moderna vaccine, Washtenaw County Health Department Public Information Officer Susan Ringer Cerniglia said. Those who choose Moderna will be scheduled to come to the same site three weeks later, she said.
Were at the point right now where we can focus less on having a high number of vaccines, Cerniglia said. Now we have the opportunity to focus on access and convenience and this particular event is a great opportunity to do that.
During this event, Pet Pals Mutual Aid will be offering free pet supplies, and participants will also have access to free snacks, officials said.
More information is available on the events Facebook.
Donations are accepted here to help support this event as well as future POP clinics
Read more:
Womans new Ypsi Kind T-shirt business helps out local nonprofits
Black Lives Matter murals coming to Ypsilanti ahead of Juneteenth celebration
AFC Ann Arbor soccer partners with high-profile names, foundations to create new youth program in Ypsilanti
You do not need to list Covid-19 on your tax return. If you are referring to a retirement related distribution due to Covid, you would need to file a Form 8915-E to avoid the 10% penalty from your distribution. To answer Covid related questions under 1099-R, see steps below.If you are using TTO, there are no known issues. If you are using the desktop option, we are working to resolve this issue.Click here:Covid related questions
To enter your Form 1099-R in the program, follow here:
In TurboTax online,
If you are under age 59 1/2, the distribution from the retirement accounts is considered as an early withdrawal. Generally, you are subject to an additional 10% penalty of your entire distribution unless you met certain criteria. Due to the Section 2202 CARES Act, if your distribution is related the Covid-19, you will not be liable for this additional penalty. For more information from the IRS, click here:Covid Relief. If your distribution is not related to the Covid, you will need to pay the penalty.
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NASHVILLE, Tenn. The Tennessee Department of Health today announced a new adcampaign, Give It A Shot focused on addressing vaccine hesitancy among Tennesseans.The ads will air across the state on broadcast, cable, and digital media. Some digitalplacement for this campaign began on May 1 and this is the next phase in the campaignrollout.
The most effective tool we have for combatting the COVID-19 virus is a vaccine, saidTennessee Department of Health Commissioner Lisa Piercey, MD, MBA, FAAP. Werecognize many Tennesseans have questions or concerns about the COVID vaccines andour goal is that these messages help to address some of those hesitancies. At the end ofthe day my hope is we will continue to see a steady increase in vaccine uptake across ourstate as more and more individuals feel more comfortable and confident in receiving thevaccine.
This PSA will run from May through November. A toolkit is available to downloadcampaign assets at https://app.box.com/s/4tlccdbfitmion6mubovmvgq3kyt9fqh.
All local health departments are offering walk-in options. Individuals can also schedule aCOVID-19 vaccine appointment by visiting covid19.tn.gov or vaccinefinder.org.
The mission of the Tennessee Department of Health is to protect, promote and improvethe health and prosperity of people in Tennessee. Learn more about TDH services andprograms at www.tn.gov/health.
Connect with TDH on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn @TNDeptofHealth!
