Health & Safety

Hospitalizations and deaths from the coronavirus continue to increase this month, with the number of Americans who died in a single day from the illness surpassing 3,600.

U.S. Surpasses 3,600 Daily Coronavirus Deaths, Breaks Prior Hospitalization Record

8:13am December 17, 2020

by Jaclyn Diaz

Data also show more than 230,000 new coronavirus infections on Wednesday and that 113,090 Americans were hospitalized with the virus — a number that's been on the rise.

Health & Safety

Did Thanksgiving Travel Cause COVID-19 Surge? Experts Say Results Are Mixed

7:31am December 17, 2020

by Will Stone

Data show a surge in virus transmission in some areas. Doctors, local health departments and others in the community talk about what they are seeing, and what are they are worried about.

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Health & Safety

Independent Panel To Give FDA Its Opinion On Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine

7:31am December 17, 2020

by Joe Palca

An advisory panel meets Thursday to give the FDA guidance about granting an Emergency Use Authorization for Moderna's vaccine. If granted, it would be the second COVID-19 vaccine available in the U.S.

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Health & Safety

Carolina Curious: Why Is There A Difference Between Some State and County COVID-19 Numbers?

7:08am December 17, 2020

by April Laissle

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Why Police Departments Are Reluctant To Enforce Public Health Orders

6:05am December 17, 2020

by Martin Kaste

As many states tighten pandemic public health rules again, what happens if you don't comply? We examine the hesitancy to enforce orders, especially where there's skepticism about COVID-19 rules.

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News Brief: Moderna Vaccine, Pandemic Economy, Google Monopoly Suit

5:50am December 17, 2020

An advisory panel will give the FDA its opinion on Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine. The Federal Reserve projects stronger economic growth next year. Plus, Google is again facing antitrust charges.

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California Hospitals Face Staff Shortages As Hospitalizations Soar

5:50am December 17, 2020

by Eric Westervelt

In large parts of California, hospitals are scrambling to bolster staffing as ICUs fill up and hospitals are overwhelmed. The state is requesting federal help and seeking medical staff from overseas.

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Health & Safety

7-Year-Old Girl Raises $22,000 By Selling Friendship Bracelets

5:40am December 17, 2020

Hayley Orlinsky began selling the bracelets to raise money after she found out hospitals were low on personal protective equipment. The New York Times reports she's sold around 9,000 bracelets.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced Thursday that the government will purchase two new COVID-19 vaccines from pharmaceutical companies AstraZeneca and Novavax. The advance purchase gives every New Zealander the ability to be able to be vac

New Zealand Will Give Free Coronavirus Vaccines To Residents, Neighboring Nations

12:50am December 17, 2020

by Jaclyn Diaz

If the vaccines are proven to be safe and effective, the immunization campaign is expected to begin with border officers and other essential workers at the beginning of 2021.

Health care workers have been throwing out the excess vaccine, fearing it would be against FDA rules to use it.

Some Vials Of COVID-19 Vaccine Contain Extra Doses, Expanding Supply

9:47pm December 16, 2020

by Vanessa Romo

"Given the public health emergency, FDA is advising that it is acceptable to use every full dose obtainable (the sixth, or possibly even a seventh) from each vial," the FDA said Wednesday.