We are still seeing far too many deaths, but this decreased positivity rate is a really hopeful leading indicator, Beshear said. We have come so far in our fight against this virus now, we need to hang on until we reach the finish line.
Officials said that no misconduct is suspected and that the company uses tracking software on vaccine shipments.
The Knox County Health Department said Wednesday that 975 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine appeared to be missing, saying it believes the doses were mistakenly thrown away.
Officials said Tennessee leaders confirmed that the doses were shipped to the Knox County Health Department. However, county health leaders said that they had no record of receiving the vaccines.
KCHD Director Dr. Martha Buchanan was tearful when she announced the loss of the doses -- as each one is precious in this stage of the vaccine rollout due to the limited supply and critical protection they will provide to the most at-risk.
"It was a kick in the gut for all us," she said fighting through tears. "We remain very committed to integrity and transparency, which is why we're here today."
The box of vaccine that disappeared was intended to be distributed as second doses for people who already received their first dose. KCHD said it will need to use vaccine doses that were originally set aside as first doses to make up for the loss -- saying they will still honor appointments for people had them this week.
This is something you certainly hope never happens and we are working with the State to determine how it did, Buchanan said. It is an unfortunate situation, but in the meantime, our vaccination efforts continue unabated.
Buchanan said, based on GPS data, it appears the doses were accidentally discarded. She said different types of insulated boxes arrive for the Pfizer vaccine -- one containing vaccine doses preserved with dry ice inside a thermal container, and another that typically arrives a day later containing just dry ice in case the doses aren't put in on-site cold storage and need to be kept in the shipping container for longer. She said the boxes look nearly identical, saying they are "kind of generic."
Buchanan said KCHD orders vaccine every week and it has received doses and dry ice shipments on regular intervals. Two weeks ago, KCHD said it received two shipments -- a group of first-dose vaccine on Thursday, and another shipment on Friday that a team member believed was a dry ice-only shipment.
Based on the timing of the shipment and the similarities in the boxes, Buchanan said the team member discarded the box they thought contained just dry ice. However, once the second-dose vaccine shipment was reported missing, the team member reported what they feared happened.
"That's when the team member said, 'Oh goodness, maybe there was a second-dose shipment that I thought was dry ice," Buchanan explained.
Pfizer uses GPS-enabled thermal sensors to track the location and temperature of each vaccine shipment, so it is unclear how an error like this could occur. No misconduct is suspected, officials said.
"There are still a lot of questions to answer," Buchanan said. "Why didn't the GPS tracker work? Why didn't the temperature tracker work?"
The department held a short-notice press briefing on Wednesday about the discrepancy. They said that 975 doses are equivalent to 1.7% of all vaccines distributed in Knox County.
In the early stages of the COVID-19 vaccine distribution, the county distributed the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
The health department also released a new waitlist system Wednesday morning. Eligible people can sign up through the health department's website, by calling 311 or the Health Department at 865-215-5555.
In total, more than 56,000 vaccinations have been administered.
TipRanks
Investors have been fixated on growth companies over the past year, and one segment which has been on the rise is the fledgling cannabis industry. The sector offers a unique proposition and the prospect of further growth, as there is still a major catalyst on the horizon which will completely alter the industry. As expected, a Democrat led senate has been good news for those banking on marijuana reform at the federal level; And it looks like the anticipated changes could happen faster than initially expected. Backed by Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer, Democratic Senators have stated that they will push for federal-level legalization of marijuana, promising a unified discussion draft on comprehensive [cannabis] reform in the first half of this year. The statement feeds expectations that the Democratic Congressional majority will pass and that President Biden will sign a bill to legalize marijuana. Investors are also looking at further state-level legalization moves; one key state in this regard is New York. So, the cannabis industry is looking up. There is an expanding network of state legalization regimes, and expectations of a change in federal policy; both are putting upward pressure on cannabis shares. Against this backdrop, we used TipRanks database to find two cannabis stocks that have been earmarked as 'Strong Buys' by the analyst consensus. Both have posted impressive year-to-date performances, and stand to rise even more in the year ahead. Village Farms International (VFF) We will start with Village Farms International, a company that has long been involved in the niche agricultural business. The company started out as a farmer, producing high-quality greenhouse vegetables year-round for sale in the North American market. That background fit the company well for a transition to the cannabis industry Village Farms has experience in greenhouse production and industrial-scale growing. Village Farms shares are showing a tremendous growth profile, up 327% in the past 12 months with a strong spike in recent days. Two important pieces of news precipitated the surge since the end of January. First, the company has fully repaid ahead of schedule the $15 million debt it incurred during its November acquisition of the cannabis growing company Pure Sunfarms. And second, Village Farms increased its investment in the Asian cannabinoid company Altum by 50%, to hold a 10% stake in the company. The move increases the international reach of Village Farms, and its ability to increase Altum holdings in the future. The company was able to fund these moves because it had a successful equity sale in January, putting an additional 10.8 million shares on the market, and raising US$135 million in new capital. In addition to its strong capital and expansion positions, Village Farms has been reporting solid financial results. The company saw US$43 million in revenue for 3Q20, a gain of 12.5% year-over-year. EPS came in at 1 cent per share, a turnaround from the US$0.10 loss in the year-ago quarter. Covering Village Farms for Craig-Hallum, 5-star analyst Eric Des Lauriers writes: Village Farms has clearly established itself as the leading cannabis producer in Canada with #1 brand share and industry-leading profitability. Canadian cannabis sales in 2020 through October (latest available) were up 128% y/y, and dispensary counts are set to accelerate through 2021, providing a tailwind to VFF revenues. Turning to the US markets, and VFFs position in Canadas larger neighbor, the analyst goes on to add, With 5.7M SF of greenhouses in TX, the company also has real US optionality, which is finally being appreciated by investors after the GA election. VFF has historically been undervalued compared to less profitable peers, but we expect shares to continue working higher as the prospect for US reform increases throughout the year. To this end, Des Lauriers rates VFF a Buy, and his $25 price target suggests the stock has room for ~26% upside in the coming year. (To watch Des Lauriers track record, click here) Overall, there are 3 recent reviews on VFF shares, and all are Buys, giving the stock a Strong Buy analyst consensus rating and showing a general agreement on Wall Street about the companys strengths. Shares are priced at $19.90, and the $24.33 average price target implies an upside of ~23% for the year ahead. (See VFF stock analysis on TipRanks) TerrAscend Corporation (TRSSF) The next cannabis stock were looking at, TerrAscend, is another major cannabis producer in both the US, Canada, and Europe. The company is involved in both the medical and recreational sides of the market, and both grows and produces cannabis and markets a range of products through numerous brand names. TerrAscends US operations are located in California, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Utah, and the company looks to expand as more states legalize cannabis. In a strong sign of the cannabis industrys strength, TRSSF shares are up a sky-high 624% over the past 12 months. Growth has been fueled by expansion of the cultivation operations in California and Pennsylvania, and by the move into the adult-use recreational market in New Jersey. Last month, TerrAscend closed a non-brokered private placement stock sale, putting more than 18 million common shares on the market. The sale price was C$12.35 (US$9.72), and the offering grossed C$224 million (US$176.3 million). The bulk of the proceeds some 80% of the total was put up by four large US-based institutional investors. The funds raised will be used to continue expansion of the companys cultivation operations (TRSSF has plans to expand growing and manufacturing ops in New Jersey), as well as to pursue merger & acquisition activities. TerrAscends rapid growth and strong future prospects have attracted attention from top-rated analysts, including 5-star analyst Eric Des Lauriers of Craig-Hallum (stated above). "TerrAscend is a leading multi-state operator (MSO) in the US cannabis market with top-tier management, assets, and access to deal flow. We have been bullish on the company since initiating coverage last year and are happy to say the TRSSF team has exceeded our expectations, generating rapid increases in margins and operating leverage that have earned them a place solidly in the Top Tier of MSOs," Des Lauriers noted. The analyst summed up, "[With] US$280M+ raised since the elections and federal reform moving quicker than expected, we think TRSSF does deserve a premium to peers." In line with his bullish comments, Des Lauriers rates TRSSF shares a Buy, and has a $20 price target that implies a ~31% upside potential for the next 12 months. Once again, were looking at a stock with broad agreement from Wall Streets analysts the Strong Buy consensus rating is unanimous, based on 7 recent reviews. Shares are selling for $15.30, and their recent appreciation has pushed that price almost up to the $15.43 average price target. (See TRSSF stock analysis on TipRanks) To find good ideas for cannabis stocks trading at attractive valuations, visit TipRanks Best Stocks to Buy, a newly launched tool that unites all of TipRanks equity insights. Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the featured analysts. The content is intended to be used for informational purposes only. It is very important to do your own analysis before making any investment.
Posted: Feb 10, 2021 / 12:14 PM EST / Updated: Feb 10, 2021 / 04:09 PM EST
Today, the Erie County Department of Health is reporting one of the lowest daily case counts for COVID-19 in months.
The county is reporting 23 new cases along with five new deaths. The cumulative total now stands at 16,220 with 413 total deaths (reported in NEDSS).
As of this morning, there were 40 total COVID-19 hospitalizations with three people on ventilators in Erie County.
Of the cumulative cases in the county, 53% are female and 47% are male. The breakdown of cumulative cases by race/ethnicity is as follows: 51% White residents 7% African American/Black residents 2% Asian residents 1% Other 38% UnknownThree percent of the cases are Hispanic, of any race; 35% are not Hispanic; and 62% are unknown.The age breakdown of the cumulative cases is as follows: 1% are ages 0-4 1% are ages 5-9 8% are ages 10-18 12% are ages 19-24 38% are ages 25-49 22% are ages 50-64 19% are ages 65 and olderNote: Percent values of each breakdown may not total 100 due to rounding.
Across the region:
Watch Erie County Executive Kathy Dahlkemper give her weekly update on COVID-19 in Erie County Feb. 10, 2021:
Across the commonwealth, the Pennsylvania Department of Health is reporting 3,378 new positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 880,291.
The department is also reporting 125 new deaths, for a statewide total of 22,745 deaths.
There are 2,890 people currently hospitalized with COVID-19. Of that number, 574 people are in the intensive care unit with COVID-19.
The trend in the 14-day moving average number of hospitalized patients per day has increased by nearly 2,800 since the end of September. Statewide percent positivity for the week of January 29 February 4 stood at 8.6%.
Through Feb. 9 1,401,840 doses of the vaccine have been administered to 1,084,502 people. 1,084,502, or 76 percent, of people have received their first dose of vaccine. 317,338, or 31 percent, of people have received their second dose of vaccine.
To date, 3,725,236 people have tested negative in Pennsylvania.
Merck & Co. is in talks with governments, public-health authorities and companies to potentially help with manufacturing Covid-19 vaccines already authorized, a company spokesman said.
The discussions mean Merck could play an even larger role in responding to the pandemic, beyond its current effort in advancing two potential Covid-19 therapies, according to Merck.
Helping manufacture Covid-19 vaccines could also allow the Kenilworth, N.J.-based company to remain involved in the global vaccination drive. Last month, Merck scrapped its two vaccine programs after disappointing results in clinical trials.
"We believe we have an important responsibility to contribute to the pandemic response and remain at the ready to do so," the spokesman said.
Global supply of Covid-19 vaccines, first authorized by governments late last year, remains in limited supply, prompting vaccine-makers such as Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE to partner with rivals. On Wednesday, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. Chief Executive Kare Schultz said the Israeli drugmaker is in talks with Covid-19 vaccine makers to help manufacture shots.
Many scientists and public-health experts placed high hopes on Merck, which pioneered vaccines that have become staples around the world, including the first to prevent mumps, chickenpox, rubella and shingles. The company was slower than rivals to pursue Covid-19 vaccines, and executives expressed concern about the years vaccine research usually takes, and that it would divert resources from thriving areas, such as cancer drugs, The Wall Street Journal reported in October.
One of the experimental drugs Merck is working on would treat severe and critical Covid-19 patients. Merck received the drug through a $425 million acquisition of the firm OncoImmune. Merck expects results from a late-stage study by the end of March.
Another therapy, an oral antiviral called molnupiravir and developed with privately held Ridgeback Biotherapeutics LP, is under evaluation in hospitalized and outpatient Covid-19 patients.
A person receives a COVID-19 shot in Federal Way, Wash., at a vaccination clinic for the Pacific Islander Community Association of Washington held on Feb. 4. David Ryder/Getty Images hide caption
A person receives a COVID-19 shot in Federal Way, Wash., at a vaccination clinic for the Pacific Islander Community Association of Washington held on Feb. 4.
Mutations in the new coronavirus could reduce the effectiveness of vaccines against it. But vaccines themselves can also drive viral mutations, depending on exactly how the shots are deployed and how effective they are.
So far, vaccines still appear to work against the new strains though scientists are warily watching a variant that first appeared in South Africa since it seems to reduce vaccine effectiveness. And evolution isn't standing still, so scientists realize they may need to update vaccines to keep them working reliably.
What's going on here is somewhat similar to a larger, and more concerning problem in medicine: Many bacteria have gradually evolved the ability to survive even when walloped by a large dose of antibiotics. That problem has created new strains of deadly, drug-resistant germs.
Viruses also evolve, but the process is different and the result is usually much less severe when it comes to vaccines. When a virus such as the coronavirus infects someone, that person's immune system mounts a response. Viruses produce slight variations when they multiply, and if any of these variants can evade a person's immune response, those variants are more likely to survive and possibly to spread to other people.
So far, the concerning coronavirus strains have appeared in individuals who have not been vaccinated. But this evolution can happen in vaccinated people, as well.
Paul Bieniasz, a Howard Hughes investigator at the Rockefeller University, is particularly concerned this could happen between the time of an initial vaccination and a second shot to maximize the immune response.
"They might serve as a sort of a breeding ground for the virus to acquire new mutations," he says.
This issue is part of a debate over the best timing of vaccine doses. Some scientists have argued that it would be better to use the scarce vaccines to give first doses to as many people as possible, so the maximum number of people have at least partial immunity. That could help slow the spread of the virus.
Bieniasz worries that would also hasten the evolution of new strains of virus.
Scientists simply don't know how this will play out. For one thing, it's unclear whether the first shot of a vaccine is strong enough to prevent the virus from multiplying inside someone and being abundant enough to spread to somebody else. If the virus can't spread, how it has evolved in an individual becomes irrelevant.
It's clear that the vaccines reduce the risk of illness and death, but it's not known to what extent they prevent the virus from infecting an individual, or spreading from one person to another. Does this happen after the first dose? The second?
"There are really too many unknowns to really be definitive and positive about what the best way forward is, what the most effective way to use the available vaccine doses is," Bieniasz says.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government's top infectious disease specialist, says the vaccines used in the United States are 95% effective when used as intended, and there simply are no data supporting any other approach.
Fauci also says that a fully vaccinated person is apparently better able to fend off virus variants, so it makes sense to get people the maximum protection as quickly as possible.
The flip side, though, is that the virus including mutant strains can spread through the population faster if fewer people are vaccinated.
Extending the time between the first and second dose of a vaccine "does run the risk of promoting evolution," says Andrew Read, an evolutionary microbiologist at Penn State University. But he adds, "I must say, at the moment, that seems like a second-order issue compared to just reducing the transmission through the population as a whole."
When it comes to new vaccine-induced variants, "I know everybody's worried about it," he says, but history shows that viruses that have mutated generally don't render a vaccine useless. "It's often got strong anti-disease properties, so you get less sick," he says.
And even a fully vaccinated person can still play host to an evolving virus, in situations where the vaccine prevents illness but still allows a virus to replicate. That appears to happen even with the most effective COVID-19 vaccines. So, viral evolution doesn't just occur in the time between shots.
"I think there are a lot of options here for dealing with evolution, should it occur," Read says. For example, it helps that there are already more than half a dozen COVID-19 vaccines in use globally, and many others in development.
"One of the great things about having a lot of vaccine options is we might end up with a population which is heterogeneously vaccinated," Read says. Different people will have different vaccines, each stimulating a different immune response. "That will really help hinder the spread of mutants that are good at [diminishing] any one of those."
Also, a virus that has picked up a trait to evade one person's immune system will encounter a different set of defenses in the next individual. "If you and I have a different response, that really helps," Read says, "because anything that gets out of me might be killed by you."
Drugmakers are also keeping a close eye on mutants, and are already formulating new vaccines that would be more effective, if it turns out the original vaccines lose too much potency with the new variants.
So, this isn't a crisis.
"We're not going to fall off a cliff tomorrow in terms of vaccine efficacy," says Bieniasz at Rockefeller. "What we're likely to see is a slow, steady erosion of efficacy over perhaps quite a long period of time."
To slow this evolutionary process as much as possible, he says, the best strategy is to slow the spread of the virus right now, using masks and social distancing, so people who get vaccinated are at lower risk for getting infected in the first place.
You can contact NPR Science Correspondent Richard Harris at rharris@npr.org.
DETROIT The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan has risen to 570,895 as of Wednesday, including 14,977 deaths, state officials report.
Wednesdays update includes 915 new cases and 12 additional deaths. On Tuesday,the state reported a total of 569,980 cases and 14,965 deaths.
New COVID-19 cases have plateaued and deaths are starting to slow. Testing has been steady with more than 40,000 diagnostic tests reported per day on average, with the 7-day positive rate down below 4.0% as of Wednesday.Hospitalizationscontinue to decline over the last several weeks.
Michigans7-day moving average for daily caseswas 1,000 on Wednesday -- the lowest since October. The 7-day death average was 38 on Wednesday. The states fatality rate is 2.6%. The statealso reports active cases,which were listed at 57,400 on Wednesday -- near the lowest its been since October.
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New: 7 takeaways from Whitmers COVID briefing: Could Michigan variant spread lead to another lockdown?
According to Johns Hopkins University, more than27.2 million cases have been reported in the U.S., with more than469,400 deathsreported from the virus.
Worldwide, more than107.1 million people have been confirmed infectedand more than2.34 million have died. More than59 million have recovered, according to Johns Hopkins University. The true numbers are certainly much higher, because of limited testing, different ways nations count the dead and deliberate under-reporting by some governments.
Michigan COVID-19 vaccinations: How to find appointments, info on phases
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Coronavirus headlines:
VIEW: Tracking Michigan COVID-19 vaccine doses
VIEW: Tracking coronavirus cases, outbreaks in Michigan schools
Meijer is launching a series of COVID-19 vaccination clinics at stores across Michigan this week, with plans to administer up to 25,000 doses in its first week.
Meijer says the vaccines will be administered to Michiganders 65 years and older who have pre-registered through the companys vaccine registration process.
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During the last few weeks, Meijer says it has conducted vaccine clinics in numerous counties throughout the state, administering up to 1,200 vaccines in a single day at some stores. Since its first clinic on Jan. 15, the retailer has administered more than 20,000 doses in Michigan and more than 30,000 doses overall, primarily to seniors 65 and older.
Health officials say a confirmed case of a highly contagious COVID-19 variant, known as B117, was reported in Kent County on Sunday, Feb. 7.
As of Feb. 5, a total of 28 known cases of the variant have been identified in Michigan over the last month, but the cases have only been reported in Washtenaw and Wayne counties.
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The new case reported on the opposite side of the state Sunday appears to confirm health officials belief that more cases of the virus variant likely exist in Michigan, they just have not been identified yet.
Read the full report here.
Health official say Michigans most important COVID-19 numbers are once again trending in the right direction.
Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, the states chief medical executive, said Michigans case rate is down to 159 cases per million population. That number has been declining steadily over the past 24 days.
The Detroit, Traverse City and Upper Peninsula regions all have case rates below 150 cases per million people, according to Khaldun.
Learn more here.
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Michigan youth contact sports will be allowed to resume practices and games starting on Monday (Feb. 8), with certain COVID-19 safety rules in place, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said.
Today, MDHHS is issuing an epidemic order to allow in-person practice and competitions for sports leagues, starting on Monday, Feb. 8, Whitmer said. I know these past months have been tough on all of us, and I know theyve been really hard on student-athletes whove been missing a sense of connection and belonging, as well as many other attributes that playing sports provides.
Under the previous Michigan Department of Health and Human Services order, basketball, hockey, wrestling, competitive cheer and youth leagues were shut down at least through Feb. 21.
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Read more here.
Restaurants have been the most hotly debated topic of Michigans shutdowns throughout the COVID pandemic.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services have twice shut down indoor dining, with the most recent ban ending Monday (Feb. 1).
Heres a look at how restaurants have been handled throughout the pandemic.
Michigan restaurants will officially be allowed to resume indoor dining Feb. 1 with a curfew and other COVID-19 safety restrictions in place.
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The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services released its next COVID-19 order Friday. The revised restrictions go into effect Feb. 1 and last three weeks, until Feb. 21.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced the order will allow indoor dining at restaurants, concessions at entertainment venues such as casinos, movie theaters and stadiums, personal services requiring mask removal and non-residential gatherings of up to 10 people from two households.
The pause has worked, Whitmer said. The efforts we have made together to protect our families, frontline workers and hospitals have dramatically reduced cases and we have saved lives. Now, we are confident that starting Feb. 1, restaurants can resume indoor dining with safety measures in place.
We are pleased to see the improvements in case rates, hospitalizations and percent positivity that have allowed us to reopen more activities, said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health at MDHHS. However, we must remain vigilant, especially since we now have a new more easily transmitted variant of this virus present in our state.
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Michigan has released a preliminary timeline to show a projection of when other phases can expect to begin receiving the COVID-19 vaccine.
Michigan recently moved into the 1B phase, which includes essential workers like teachers and opens up appointments for residents over the age of 65. Some counties have started vaccinating at this level, while some are still waiting to increase vaccine supply.
The preliminary timeline is fluid. It states very clearly, Dates are estimated and expected to change based on vaccine availability. And vaccine availability is limited right now -- but it should be improving in the near future.
See the timeline here.
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Michigan is moving on to a new phase of COVID-19 vaccinations, including teachers, first responders, childcare providers and residents 65 years of age and older.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer announced Wednesday that the new phase of vaccinations will begin Monday, Jan. 11.
We are pleased to move the state forward in the next stage of vaccinations, said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive for MDHHS. These vaccines are safe and effective, and we especially want our first responders, teachers and older adults to get vaccinated as soon as possible. The strategy we are announcing today is efficient, effective, and equitable, focusing on making vaccine available to those who have the highest level of risk, whether it is because of where they work or because of their age.
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Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is strongly encouraging Michigan public schools to reopen for in-person learning by the beginning of March.
Public schools in Michigan were shut down during the fall due to a surge in COVID-19 cases. Their buildings have been closed for about two months -- since the state reported thousands of COVID-19 cases per day in November.
The value of in-person learning for our kids is immeasurable, and we must do everything we can to help them get a great education safely, Whitmer said. Over the last 10 months, medical experts and epidemiologists have closely followed the data and have learned that schools can establish a low risk of transmission by ensuring that everyone wears a mask and adopting careful infection prevention protocols.
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I strongly encourage districts to provide as much face-to-face learning as possible, and my administration will work closely with them to get it done.
Read more here.
Michigan COVID-19 daily reported cases since Jan. 15:
Jan. 15 -- 2,598 new cases
Jan. 16 -- 1,932 new cases
Jan. 17 -- 1,421 new cases
Jan. 18 -- 1,422 new cases
Jan. 19 -- 1,738 new cases
Jan. 20 -- 2,031 new cases
Jan. 21 -- 2,165 new cases
Jan. 22 -- 2,157 new cases
Jan. 23 -- 1,601 new cases
Jan. 25 -- 3,011 new cases (case count for two days)
Jan. 26 -- 1,476 new cases
Jan. 27 -- 1,681 new cases
Jan. 28 -- 1,872 new cases
Jan. 29 -- 1,774 new cases
Jan. 30 -- 1,358 new cases
Jan. 31 -- 1,033 new cases
Feb. 1 -- 1,033 new cases
Feb. 2 -- 1,203 new cases
Feb. 3 -- 1,383 new cases
Feb. 4 -- 1,358 new cases
Feb. 5 -- 1,379 new cases
Feb. 6 -- 1,018 new cases
Feb. 7 -- 884 new cases
Feb. 8 -- 885 new cases
Feb. 9 -- 563 new cases
Michigan COVID-19 daily reported deaths since Jan. 1:
Jan. 15 -- 29 new deaths
Jan. 16 -- 103 (90 from vital records)
Jan. 17 -- 10 new deaths
Jan. 18 -- 10 new deaths
Jan. 19 -- 41 new deaths
Jan. 20 -- 40 new deaths
Jan. 21 -- 148 new deaths (128 from vital records)
Jan. 22 -- 17 new deaths
Jan. 23 -- 221 new deaths (205 from vital records)
Jan. 25 -- 35 new deaths (count for two days)
Jan. 26 -- 79 new deaths
Jan. 27 -- 6 new deaths
Jan. 28 -- 80 new deaths (67 from vital records)
Jan. 29 -- 6 new deaths
Jan. 30 -- 104 new deaths
Younger neighbors, spouses and friends who accompany people 75 and older to coronavirus vaccine appointments at any of the states mass vaccination sites will be able to get shots too starting Thursday even if they dont currently meet eligibility requirements, the governors office announced.
We hope this change will encourage more 75 and older residents to get their vaccine at mass vaccination sites, which have the most availability, Baker said following a tour of the vaccination site at the DoubleTree Hotel in Danvers.
Health Secretary Marylou Sudders told reporters it helps mass vaccination sites become that much more age-friendly and for older adults during a Wednesday morning briefing.
Joan Hatem-Roy, chief executive officer of Elder Services of Merrimack Valley Inc. called the move a game-changer for people who might be intimidated by the size and scope of the large vaccination centers, but others raised questions over equity.
Life expectancy in some of the areas hardest hit by COVID-19 is actually less than 75, Rep. Mike Connolly, D-Cambridge said, pointing to alarming inequities in the number of Black and Latino residents vaccinated so far compared to their white counterparts.
The state has been under pressure to expand access following the bungled vaccine roll out for people over 75 where many had issues booking appointments and navigating the states online scheduling interface. Fewer than half the 437,000 Massachusetts residents over 75 have been vaccinated so far, according to state health data.
The announcement comes as the state revealed the locations of two more mass vaccination sites, but notably left Cape Cod out of the mix. An additional 30 pharmacies across the state are also slated to start giving shots.
A Natick Mall location, run by LabCorp, will begin vaccinations on Feb. 22 and ramp up to 3,000 shots per day
Another site at an abandoned Circuit City in Dartmouth opens Feb. 24 and will eventually vaccinate 2,000 people per day.
Sen. Julian Cyr, D-Truro, decried a lack of access for his constituents.
Cape Cod has the oldest population of any county in Massachusetts, but inexplicably Governor Baker has not authorized a state mass vaccination site anywhere closer than 50 miles from the canal bridges, Cyr said.
Longmeadow Democrat Sen. Eric Lesser said Western Massachusetts is also suffering from a lack of access.
Frankly, Western Mass is at higher risk and before COVID, faced deeper health inequities than any other area of the state, he said.
Lesser also blasted the administration for contracting with Curative to run the Dartmouth site, which is under fire for operations at Springfields Eastfield Mall.
Dozens of seniors were caught standing in lines out in the cold and the mayor had to call in police details to assist with traffic earlier in the week, he said.
Baker on Wednesday said improvements were being made.
It feels like the state is playing whack-a-mole and dealing with problems as they arise rather than being proactive, Lesser said.
The state will also announced an additional 103,000 more appointments would be made available this week including 53,000 at mass vaccination sites.
According to CNN Business, spikes in 2020 online alcohol sales benefitted the beleaguered sector overall, and Heineken in particular saw its direct-to-consumer platforms including Beerwulf, Six2Go and Drinkies triple orders amid the pandemic. Online sales of the companys home-draught systems also increased modestly into the mid-double-digits.
San Bernardino County using 89.5% of coronavirus vaccines within 4 days San Bernardino County Sun
