Month: July 2021

Children are at extremely slim risk of dying from Covid-19, according to some of the most comprehensive studies to date, which indicate the threat might be even lower than previously thought. Some 99.995% of the 469,982 children in England who were infected during the year examined by researchers survived, one study found. In fact, there were fewer deaths among children due to the virus than initially suspected. Among the 61 child deaths linked to a positive Covid-19 test in England, 25 were actually caused by the illness, the study found. The three studies, by researchers in the U.K. reviewing its national health system’s medical records or pulling together data from other countries, were published on preprint servers Thursday. The studies hav...

VERSAILLES, Ky. (LEX 18) — A COVID-19 outbreak has been reported in Woodford County, and it is likely linked to a recent church gathering in the area. Health officials say at least 40 people have tested positive for the virus in Woodford County in the past two weeks, the majority of which were not vaccinated. The Woodford County Health Department says they are only aware of one person in this group of people that are hospitalized from the virus. Most have symptoms generally associated with COVID-19, including fever, fatigue, and shortness of breath. Public Health Director Cassie Prather says they are doing genomic sequencing to determine if this is the Delta variant. She says the health department is concerned about how quickly the virus will spread. Health officials did not specify the c...

Pfizer is about to seek U.S. authorization for a third dose of its COVID-19 vaccine, saying Thursday that another shot within 12 months could dramatically boost immunity and maybe help ward off the latest worrisome coronavirus mutant. Research from multiple countries shows the Pfizer shot and other widely used COVID-19 vaccines offer strong protection against the highly contagious delta variant, which is spreading rapidly around the world and now accounts for most new U.S. infections. Two doses of most vaccines are critical to develop high levels of virus-fighting antibodies against all versions of the coronavirus, not just the delta variant ― and most of the world still is desperate to get those initial protective doses as the pandemic continues to rage. But antibodies naturally ...

WILLIAMSBURG, Va. (WAVY) — Two people were attacked by a rabid fox at Busch Gardens Williamsburg on Monday, according to the Hampton-Peninsula Health District. Officials say the fox was captured and died shortly after the attack. Any guests with information regarding any exposure to this attack are asked to contact the Hampton-Peninsula Health District – Williamsburg Environmental Health Office at (757) 603-4277. Exposure includes a bite, scratch or contact with saliva by open wound or eyes, nose or mouth. Click here to subscribe to WAVY Breaking News Email alerts. The Health District provided several rabies prevention guidelines: Vaccinate your pets. Report all exposures to animals (usually bites and scratches) to your doctor and the local health d...

Pfizer and BioNTech announced Thursday they are developing a Covid-19 booster shot intended to target the delta variant as concerns rise about the highly transmissible strain that is already the dominant form of the disease in the United States. The companies said although they believe a third shot of their current two-dose vaccine has the potential to preserve the "highest levels" of protection against all currently known variants, including delta, they are "remaining vigilant" and developing an updated version of the vaccine. "As seen in real world evidence released from the Israel Ministry of Health, vaccine efficacy has declined six months post-vaccination, at the same time that the Delta variant is becoming the dominate variant in the country," the companies said in...