Month: January 2021

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah currently ranks among the top five worst states in the US when it comes to average daily COVID-19 case rates. READ: Utah's governor orders COVID-19 vaccine timelines to speed up According to the newest data provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Utah's average daily cases per 100,000 of 98.3 is fifth in the country. Arizona is No. 1 on the list and is considered "the hottest hot spot" for the coronavirus, according to ABC News. Along with Rhode Island, Arizona has higher positive COVID-19 rates than any country in the world. "Hey, Utah, we’re headed in the wrong direction." tweeted Intermountain Healthcare official Jess Gomez Sunday. "We are very concerned," Dr. Todd Vento, Intermountain Healthcare infectious diseases physician, said. “It is fair...

4.20am EST04:20 Teachers in Malta have turned to their classrooms and ended a two-day strike after the government agreed to give them priority in the vaccination campaign. Schools on the small Mediterranean island have been open since September but unions called a strike last week following a spike in infections, with a record 245 cases reported last Thursday. The Malta Union of Teachers said that, after talks with the government, it was agreed teachers would be vaccinated sooner than planned, immediately after medical staff and vulnerable elderly persons. Malta’s medical authorities have said that, to limit the spread of COVID-19, it was better to keep schools open rather than closed. Charmaine Gauci, the superintendent of public health, said a study of vir...

BRYAN, Texas (KBTX) - St. Joseph Health says it has received additional doses of the Moderna vaccine and will begin administering them to Phase 1B patients later in the week through a series of clinics. The vaccine clinics will be set up by appointment only. Hospital officials say patients must have an appointment and have received a confirmation in order to receive the Moderna vaccine. Those without an appointment are being asked to register online for future vaccine allocations St. Joseph receives. In a press release Sunday, St. Joseph Health said: “Health care workers and first responders were the first to receive the vaccine, as part of Phase 1a as outlined by federal guidelines, in order to ensure health systems are able to continue to provide care through the pandemic and beyond. St...

The city of Chicago extended its stay-at-home advisory through Jan. 22 as the coronavirus pandemic continues, city officials announced Sunday. In mid-November, Chicago issued the advisory in response to the second surge of the coronavirus pandemic. The measure, which was issued among other restrictions, "calls on all Chicagoans to follow clear measures to protect their community and help us flatten the curve." According to the city, "residents are strongly advised to adhere to the advisory." Chicago has issued a stay-at-home advisory as the city reaches a "critical point" in the second surge of its coronavirus pandemic. Watch Mayor Lori Lightfoot's full announcement here. Here's what is included in the advisory, according to information pr...

Dry January formally began in 2013 as a public health campaign challenging people to give up alcohol for at least one month. Today, it’s more of a cultural phenomenon — debated on talk shows, embraced by health publications, and allegedly over-documented on social media. But as Eater writer Jaya Saxena observed in 2020, “criticizing anyone’s sobriety, even when it’s limited to a month, is an irresponsible, dick move.” And while it’s become monetized and trendy, Dry January is still the real deal. Giving up alcohol is good for you, and the safest level of drinking is none. In 2018, University of Sussex researchers wanted to document what actually happens if you participate in Dry January, so they interviewed 800 participants. A myriad of effects were observed — 88 percent saved money; 71 p...