Pfizer COVID vaccine could be authorized for adolescents by early next week
The Food and Drug Administration is expected to authorize Pfizer-BioNTech’s COVID-19 vaccine for administration to adolescents by early next week, according to a federal health official with knowledge of the agency’s plans. The move would allow many American middle- and high-school students to be vaccinated against COVID-19 well before the start of the next […]
U.S. pharmacies are told to offer second vaccine doses to people who got first shots elsewhere.
Federal health officials said on Tuesday that they were directing nearly all drugstores and grocery-store pharmacies to offer second doses of Covid-19 vaccines to people who received their first shot from a different provider. Growing numbers of Americans who received a first shot of the two-dose Pfizer-BioNtech or Moderna vaccine are not getting their second […]
Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine is delayed by a U.S. factory mixup
Workers at a plant in Baltimore manufacturing two coronavirus vaccines accidentally conflated the ingredients several weeks ago, contaminating up to 15 million doses of Johnson & Johnson’s vaccine and forcing regulators to delay authorization of the plant’s production lines. The plant is run by Emergent BioSolutions, a manufacturing partner to both Johnson & Johnson and […]
After a rebuke, AstraZeneca releases new data that shows its vaccine is still highly effective
AstraZeneca reiterated on Wednesday that its Covid-19 vaccine was very effective at preventing the disease, based on more recent data than was included when the company announced the interim results of its U.S. clinical trial on Monday. The company said in a news release that its vaccine was 76 percent effective at preventing Covid-19. That […]
California among worst in getting vaccines to vulnerable populations, CDC report finds
About a quarter of California’s population has received one shot of the coronavirus vaccine so far, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, most of the shots so far appear to have gone to populations that are less vulnerable than others. State health officials say they are working to improve […]
AstraZeneca says U.S. trial data shows its Covid-19 vaccine is 79 percent effective
AstraZeneca’s Covid-19 vaccine is safe and 79 percent effective against the disease, according to trial results released by the company Monday. AstraZeneca will now release its data for analysis by the scientific community in peer-review literature, and apply to the Food and Drugs Administration for emergency use approval. The Phase 3 trial, conducted in the […]
Biden’s 1st primetime speech to reflect on 1 year since pandemic shutdowns, challenges ahead
For the third time this year, President Joe Biden will mark a landmark moment in the COVID-19 pandemic, delivering his first primetime address Thursday night to recognize one year since widespread shutdowns began across the United States and to ask Americans to help with “what comes next.” “I’m gonna launch the next phase of the […]
New CDC Guidelines Allow Vaccinated Americans to taste freedom
At last, there’s some good news. Exactly one horrific, demoralizing and family-splitting year since darkness descended on America, top public health officials arrived at a (virtual) White House coronavirus strategy briefing on Monday armed with tangible hope. In announcing new US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on how fully vaccinated citizens can […]
Senate passes $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief bill. Here’s what’s next.
After more than 25 hours of debate and votes, Senate Democrats passed a sweeping $1.9 trillion COVID relief bill Saturday aimed at helping lower-income Americans, small businesses, schools, the hard-hit hospitality and tourism industries, as well as state and local governments — with aid also going to boost front-line pandemic work, vaccines, testing and tracing […]
CDC recommends Johnson & Johnson single-dose vaccine, enabling inoculations to start this week
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is recommending the nation’s third coronavirus vaccine for people 18 and older, paving the way for the easier-to-use, one-shot Johnson & Johnson vaccine to be administered starting this week. The action follows a unanimous vote Sunday by the CDC’s vaccine advisory panel, which strongly endorsed the vaccine’s effectiveness […]
Biden to Mourn 500,000 U.S. Covid Deaths With Candle Lighting Ceremony on Monday
President Joe Biden plans to honor the half a million American lives lost to Covid-19 with a candle lighting ceremony at the White House, according to a report by CNN. The exact date and time has not yet been announced, but could come as soon as Monday, depending on when the country passes that somber […]
FDA panel meeting today could lead to approval of Pfizer vaccine for emergency use
Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine faces one final hurdle as it races to become the first shot greenlighted in the U.S. — a panel of experts who will scrutinize the company’s data for any red flags. Thursday’s meeting of the Food and Drug Administration’s vaccine advisory panel is likely the last step before a U.S. decision to […]
Britain becomes first to roll out clinically approved BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine, first recipient is a 90-year-old woman
At 6.31 a.m. local timeTuesday, 334 days after the first reported Covid-19 death in China, Margaret Keenan, 90, became the first person in the world to receive a clinically approved vaccine. It was a landmark moment in the global fight against the most destructive pandemic in 100 years. In approving and delivering the BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine, […]
U.S. surpasses 250,000 coronavirus deaths as virus mortality rate surges
The United States has recorded a quarter-million Covid-19 deaths, the latest NBC News numbers showed Wednesday, and the death rate has been accelerating in recent weeks as cases have been surging across the country. The 250,000th death was logged Wednesday morning, the data revealed. In the last four weeks there has been a 42 percent […]
CDC warns of ‘distressing trend’ in Covid-19 cases as country heads into fall
The government’s top public health officials warned that the number of Covid-19 cases is rising across a majority of the country in a rare briefing Wednesday afternoon. Dr. Jay Butler, deputy director for infectious diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said the agency has noted a “distressing trend” in which coronavirus case […]
Anthony Fauci Urges Americans To Reconsider Thanksgiving Gatherings Amid Pandemic
Dr. Anthony Fauci on Wednesday revealed that his family’s Thanksgiving “is going to look very different this year” and said Americans “may have to bite the bullet” and rethink holiday gatherings as the coronavirus pandemic continues raging. Fauci, the nation’s leading infectious disease expert, told “CBS Evening News” anchor Norah O’Donnell that his children, who live in […]
Coronavirus has now killed 1 million people around the world
More than 1 million people have died from Covid-19 since the coronavirus was first identified late last year in China, according to data compiled by Johns Hopkins University. With more than 200,000 deaths, U.S. continues to lead the global death toll, followed by Brazil at 142,000 and India at 95,500, the tally on Monday showed. […]
CDC Reverses Guidelines Stating The Coronavirus Is Airborne Virus, Further Undermining Its Credibility
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reversed an update made to its coronavirus guidance that stated COVID-19 is an airborne virus. The health agency said that update, posted to its website on Friday, was made in error. “A draft version of proposed changes to these recommendations was posted in error to the agency’s official website,” the […]
There’s a legitimate way to end coronavirus vaccine trials early, Fauci says
A COVID-19 vaccine could be available earlier than expected if ongoing clinical trials produce overwhelmingly positive results, said Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s top infectious disease official, in an interview Tuesday with KHN. Although two ongoing clinical trials of 30,000 volunteers are expected to conclude by the end of the year, Fauci said an independent […]
Poll: Most Americans embarrassed by US response to coronavirus
Nearly 7 in 10 Americans say the US response to the coronavirus outbreak makes them feel embarrassed, according to a new CNN Poll conducted by SSRS, as 62% of the public says President Donald Trump could be doing more to fight the outbreak. The new poll finds disapproval of Trump’s handling of the outbreak at […]
Coronavirus updates: US reports under 40,000 new cases for 1st time since June
There were 35,112 new cases of COVID-19 identified in the United States on Monday, according to a count kept by Johns Hopkins University. It’s the first time since June 28 that the country has reported under 40,000 new cases in a single day. Monday’s case count is also well below the record set on July […]
Fauci says temperature checks not reliable to fight COVID-19
The novel coronavirus has now killed more than 753,000 people worldwide. Over 20.7 million people across the globe have been diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the new respiratory virus, according to data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. The actual numbers are believed to be much […]
Coronavirus update: US records nearly 56,000 new cases, over 1,500 additional deaths
The novel coronavirus has now killed more than 749,000 people worldwide. Over 20.6 million people across the globe have been diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the new respiratory virus, according to data compiled by the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University. The actual numbers are believed to be much […]
White House acknowledges there is less jobless aid than Trump first said
President Trump’s senior aides acknowledged on Tuesday that they are providing less financial assistance for the unemployed than the president initially advertised amid mounting blowback from state officials of both parties. On Saturday, Trump approved an executive action that he claimed would provide an additional $400 per week in expanded unemployment benefits for Americans who […]
Big Ten, Pac-12 cancel fall football seasons over coronavirus concerns
The Big Ten and Pac-12 conferences on Tuesday canceled their football seasons over coronavirus concerns, ignoring pleas from President Donald Trump, Republican lawmakers and college athletes to play in the fall. College football has become a flashpoint in the fight over reopening the country, with government officials using the sport as a tool to encourage […]
There has been a 90% increase in Covid-19 cases in US children in the last four weeks, report says
As the nation focuses on safety issues around going back to school during the pandemic, a new report found a sharp increase in the number of Covid-19 cases among children in the United States. There has been a 90% increase in the number of Covid-19 cases among children in the United States over the last […]
U.S. coronavirus cases top 5 million as pandemic rages on
The United States on Sunday surpassed 5 million confirmed cases of the coronavirus, according to data collected by Johns Hopkins University. The U.S. has both the highest number of confirmed cases and the most deaths of any country in the world. The total number of confirmed cases throughout the world is nearly 20 million, […]
Forecast: 300,000 U.S. COVID-19 Deaths By December 1
Nearly 300,000 Americans could be dead from COVID-19 by Dec. 1, University of Washington health experts forecast on Thursday, although they said 70,000 lives could be saved if people were scrupulous about wearing masks. The latest predictions from the university’s widely cited Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) comes as top White House infectious […]
Trump doubles down on defense of hydroxychloroquine to treat COVID-19 despite efficacy concerns
As the U.S. neared 150,000 deaths from the novel coronavirus, President Donald Trump doubled down on his defense of an unproven drug to treat COVID-19 and offered a rosy picture of the growing public health crisis and of what is to come. “We’re seeing improvements across the major metro areas and most hot spots. You […]
U.S. passes 4 million coronavirus cases as pace of new infections roughly doubles
The United States on Thursday passed the grim milestone of 4 million confirmed coronavirus infections, and President Trump announced he was canceling the public celebration of his nomination for a second term, as institutions from schools to airlines to Major League Baseball wrestled with the consequences of a pandemic still far from under control. The rapid […]
The US reported more Covid-19 cases in the last two weeks than it did for all of June
In the past two weeks, the US recorded more than 915,000 new cases of coronavirus — that’s more than the cases reported across the country for the whole month of June. The staggering number signals the US is still far from containing the virus, which is running rampant across American communities, overwhelming hospitals and testing […]
White House executive office cafeteria closed after positive coronavirus test
The White House is conducting contact tracing after a cafeteria worker tested positive for coronavirus, three Trump administration officials tell NBC News. The cafeteria and an eatery in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, or EEOB, were both closed this week after the case was discovered, officials said. It was unclear how long the facility will […]
Fauci: I was not invited to Trump’s coronavirus briefing
Anthony Fauci, one of the most recognized and trusted faces of the federal coronavirus response, said on Tuesday he was not invited to join President Donald Trump later in the day at a news briefing on the White House pandemic response. Trump announced on Monday he would return to the White House lectern to deliver […]
Trump, in a Shift, Finally Endorses Masks and Says Virus Will Get Worse
President Trump acknowledged on Tuesday that the coronavirus pandemic was growing more severe in the United States and endorsed mask wearing in a shift after weeks of playing down the seriousness of the crisis that has killed more than 140,000 Americans. Rather than just “embers” of the virus, as he has repeatedly characterized recent outbreaks […]
Three Coronavirus Vaccine Developers Report Promising Initial Results
The race for a vaccine against the coronavirus intensified on Monday as three competing laboratories released promising results from early trials in humans. Now comes the hard part: proving that any of the vaccines protects against the virus, and establishing how much immunity they provide — and for how long. “What this means is that […]
Moderna’s coronavirus vaccine shows encouraging early results in human safety trial
Moderna, the Massachusetts biotechnology company behind a leading effort to create a coronavirus vaccine, announced promising early results from its first human safety tests Monday. The company plans to launch a large clinical trial in July aimed at showing whether the vaccine works. The company reported that in eight patients who had been followed for […]
The Risks: Know Them, Avoid Them
It seems many people are breathing some relief, and I’m not sure why. An epidemic curve has a relatively predictable upslope and once the peak is reached, the back slope can also be predicted. We have robust data from the outbreaks in China and Italy, that shows the backside of the mortality curve declines slowly, […]
As global death toll tops 200,000, WHO warns there’s no evidence of coronavirus immunity
There is currently no evidence that people who have recovered from COVID-19 are protected from a second infection, the World Health Organization warned Saturday as the worldwide death toll topped 200,000. The health body tweeted that it was continuing to review the evidence on antibody responses to COVID-19, adding that most studies suggest that people […]
CDC director warns second wave of coronavirus this winter could be worse
Even as states move ahead with plans to reopen their economies, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned Tuesday that a second wave of the novel coronavirus will be far more dire because it is likely to coincide with the start of flu season. “There’s a possibility that the assault of […]
Contamination Likely Caused Critical Delay Of CDC Coronavirus Testing: Report
A contamination of the first round of COVID-19 testing kits made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention slowed the U.S. government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, The Washington Post and CNN confirmed Saturday. The Food and Drug Administration told CNN that the CDC did not manufacture its tests under the agency’s standard protocol. “CDC […]
The Do’s and Don’ts of Cloth Face Masks
Now that we know we should all be wearing cloth face masks in public, it’s best to remember the basics of what to do and what not to do. Here is a quick guide: Do: Wear a face mask whenever you are in public Wash your hands before and after putting on your mask Take […]
Airlines ink agreement in principle on billions in payroll assistance
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said Tuesday that 10 airlines, including the four major U.S. carriers, signaled that they plan to accept grants to cover employee payroll and benefits, almost three weeks after a coronavirus stimulus was enacted. Under the stimulus law, Treasury was supposed to start cutting grant checks on April 6, but airlines and […]
What are antibody tests and what do they mean for the coronavirus pandemic?
As the world watches and wonders when coronavirus pandemic stay-at-home orders and social distancing measures might end, some hope antibody tests might help provide a solution. Antibody tests — also known as serology tests — aren’t meant to diagnose active infection with the coronavirus. Rather, they check for proteins in the immune system, known as […]
Check your balance: Coronavirus stimulus money starts to flow into bank accounts
Americans are starting to receive their cash payments via direct deposits, part of the $2 trillion bill passed by Congress to stimulate the economy after the decline caused by the pandemic. “#IRS deposited the first Economic Impact Payments into taxpayers’ bank accounts today. We know many people are anxious to get their payments; we’ll continue […]
U.S. Overtakes Italy With Largest Number Of Coronavirus Deaths
The United States surpassed Italy in coronavirus fatalities on Saturday to become the nation with the highest number of reported deaths from the virus worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins data. Italy has counted 152,271 confirmed cases of the coronavirus and 19,468 deaths, while the U.S. has counted 522,286 infections and 20,283 deaths as of late […]
It’s a hoax for Trump to say he was distracted by impeachment to concentrate on his coronavirus response
It’s a hoax for Trump to say that his impeachment hearings distracted him from the coronavirus response. Watch this video from The Lincoln Project and it will show you why.
Google and Apple team up for contact tracing COVID-19 app
Apple and Google announced a rare collaboration on Friday to help battle the novel coronavirus. The tech giants said they would employ Bluetooth to create “contact tracing technology” tools to alert users if they have come in close contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, according to a joint statement from the companies. […]
Questions remain over whether COVID-19 recovery will guarantee immunity: Is reinfection still possible?
It has been only 101 days since a cluster of cases of pneumonia in Wuhan, China, were reported to the World Health Organization, and already our understanding of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic seems extraordinary. But even with over 1.6 million people infected worldwide it’s unclear whether recovery will make patients immune going forward. “The canvas […]
US coronavirus predictions are shifting. Here’s why…
Things are still getting worse. The US death toll crossed 14,000 on Wednesday, with a record 1,858 deaths reported just on Tuesday. Since the outbreak started, about 425,000 cases have been diagnosed in the US. And researchers say the peak has yet to come. But the main model used by the White House and pretty […]
U.S. reports 1,200 coronavirus deaths in one day as China lifts lockdown
At the start of what is expected to be the deadliest week of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States, the White House tried to offer some hope that measures to contain the spread were working. The virus killed 1,264 over 24 hours in the U.S. as of 2:05 am ET on Tuesday, according to […]
What Does It Mean to Be Furloughed?
Most of us know what it means to be laid off: You’ve been let go from your job, often in a way that is presented as due to no fault of your own, and you are free to both apply for unemployment benefits and pursue new employment possibilities. But what happens when you are furloughed? […]
What to Know If You’re Wearing a Cloth Mask in Public
The CDC now recommends “cloth face coverings” to slow the spread of COVID-19. As we’ve discussed before, there are pros and cons to cloth masks, and some organizations are still on the fence about whether it’s worthwhile to convince everyone to wear them. The WHO, for example, has yet to provide an official opinion on […]
Here’s When You’ll Get Your Coronavirus Relief Check
We now know when you can expect your coronavirus relief payment to arrive. Direct deposit will start on April 9, a week sooner than Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin previously anticipated. If you don’t have direct deposit on file, there will be an online portal where you can add your information. The IRS hasn’t set that […]
Musician Christopher Cross calls coronavirus ‘possibly the worst illness I’ve ever had’
Singer-songwriter Christopher Cross revealed on social media that he tested positive for coronavirus. Cross, known for his Grammy Award winning hits “Sailing” and “Arthur’s Theme,” said that he felt it was important to make people aware of how dangerous the virus is. “I’m not in the habit of discussing medical issues on social media,” Cross […]
Boris Johnson Hospitalized as Queen Urges British Resolve in Face of Epidemic
Prime Minister Boris Johnson was hospitalized on Sunday evening after 10 days of battling the coronavirus, unnerving a country that had gathered to watch Queen Elizabeth II rally fellow Britons to confront the pandemic and reassure them that when the crisis finally ebbed, “we will meet again.” The British government said that Mr. Johnson would […]
Surgeon general says coming week will ‘be our Pearl Harbor moment, our 9/11 moment’
U.S. Surgeon General Jerome Adams on Sunday said the coming week could be a national catastrophe comparable to Pearl Harbor or 9/11, echoing President Trump’s dire prognostication. There are more than 300,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 9,000 deaths in the United States. Experts say Americans are almost certainly dying of covid-19 but being left […]
Dr. Fauci: ‘I Just Don’t Understand’ Why Everyone in America Isn’t Under a Stay at Home Order
Dr. Anthony Fauci, a leading voice on the White House coronavirus task force, believes that everyone in the U.S. should be subject to a stay at home order. Appearing on a CNN virtual town hall Thursday night, Fauci — responding to a question from Anderson Cooper — said that everyone in America should be under […]
Many Americans may have to wait months for coronavirus relief checks
The first Americans to get relief payments from the government under the coronavirus legislation signed into law last month won’t see the money until at least the week of April 13, according to new estimates from the Trump administration provided to House Democrats and outlined in a memo circulated this week by Democrats on the […]
U.S. coronavirus updates: Death toll tops 5,000
The novel coronavirus has now killed more than 5,100 people in the United States, as more state governors issued stay-at-home orders Wednesday to curb the spread. Over 216,000 people are now infected and more than 8,500 others have recovered. The state of play: Trump administration officials are anonymously sounding the alarm that America’s emergency stockpile […]
What We Know About the Coronavirus So Far
COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, was first discovered in China in late 2019. The first U.S. case was detected in January 2020, in a recent traveler who arrived in Washington State. Since its early beginnings, the story of COVID-19 has been rapidly evolving, with new information coming out daily. On March 11th, […]
How to Kill Germs All Over Your House
Wipes. Disinfectant. Sanitizer. Bleach. Sprays. What cleaner are you supposed to use where? And which one is most effective in our fight against viruses? Does “99.9.% of germs” include the coronavirus? Wow you have a lot of questions, dear reader, and in the video above we answer as many as we can. Yes, as long […]
Trump projects up to 240,000 coronavirus deaths in U.S., even with mitigation efforts
President Trump and the physicians advising the federal pandemic response on Tuesday delivered a bleak outlook for the novel coronavirus’s spread across the country, predicting a best-case scenario of 100,000 to 240,000 fatalities in the United States and summoning all Americans to make additional sacrifices to slow the spread. Trump adopted a newly somber and […]
Dr. Fauci: Intensive Coronavirus Mitigation is Showing ‘Glimmers’ of a ‘Dampening Effect’
Dr. Anthony Fauci said there are signs that social distancing and other coronavirus mitigation strategies may be helping. The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases gave an interview to CNN’s Jim Sciutto on Tuesday, in which he said “we’re starting to see glimmers that [intensive mitigation] is actually having some dampening […]
Here’s how to get a small business loan under the $349 billion coronavirus aid bill
A network of community banks and financial institutions is gearing up to implement one of the most ambitious economic relief programs in U.S. history as small businesses across the country weather the coronavirus and its economic fallout. The $2 trillion coronavirus relief package signed last week, officially known as the CARES Act, includes nearly $350 […]
House Democrats eye ambitious fourth coronavirus bill
House Democratic leaders laid out their priorities for an ambitious fourth coronavirus response package on Monday, saying they hope to pass bipartisan legislation with more direct payments for individuals, money for state and local governments, and funding for infrastructure. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said members will be working together to craft the legislation as they […]
All Your Coronavirus Relief Check Questions, Answered
When the Senate passed a gigantic coronavirus economic relief bill that includes checks of up to $1,200 for many Americans, a lot of people reacted like it was a done deal. But even though the House of Representatives approved it today, the bill isn’t a law yet, and it might be a while until you […]
Fauci: Coronavirus could kill over 100,000 Americans
Dr. Anthony Fauci said Sunday that he anticipates the coronavirus could kill 100,000 to 200,000 Americans while infecting “millions” of others. Speaking on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said, however, that he does not want to be held to that prediction because the outbreak […]
Trump extends social distancing guidelines to April 30, predicts ‘great things’ by June 1
President Donald Trump announced Sunday that he’s extending his administration’s guidelines on social distancing during the COVID-19 outbreak until April 30. Trump said last week that he wanted to see much of the country return to normal by Easter, April 12, despite warnings from top health experts that easing the guidelines too soon could cause […]
Sad Milestone: U.S. Passes 2,000 Coronavirus Deaths — Death Toll Doubled in Two Days
The death toll in the United States from COVID-19 has passed 2,000, CNN’s Wolf Blitzer reported Saturday evening. “We’ve just reached a tragic new threshold here in the United States,” said Blitzer, announcing that more than 2,000 people in the United States had died from the coronavirus. “That means the death toll has doubled in […]
5 takeaways from Joe Biden’s town hall on the coronavirus response
Joe Biden during a CNN town hall Friday night detailed how he’d respond to the coronavirus pandemic. From a remote feed in his home in Wilmington, Delaware, Biden said he starts his mornings with back-to-back briefings on the health and economic fallout of the pandemic — and that he is regularly speaking with governors who […]
Coronavirus cripples voter registration efforts… Millions could be denied
Presidential elections are typically prime time for bringing new people into the political process, but the coronavirus pandemic is making voter registration more difficult than ever, prompting concerns that many young Americans and other nonvoters might miss their chance to get onto the rolls before November. “This is the moment when we historically see people […]
C.D.C. issues a travel advisory for the New York region, after Trump backs off his quarantine threat
President Trump said on Saturday night that he would not impose a quarantine on New York, New Jersey and Connecticut but would instead issue a “strong” travel advisory to be implemented by the governors of the three states. Mr. Trump made the announcement on Twitter just hours after telling reporters that he was considering a […]
Website allows people to report coronavirus symptoms, track spread
As health experts and public officials have warned that confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus are likely nowhere near the actual number of people infected, medical professionals in Boston have created a website to help close the gap. “COVID Near You” allows the public to report coronavirus-related symptoms. The site asks users how they are […]
FDA authorizes 15-minute coronavirus test
Federal health officials on Friday approved a coronavirus test that can provide results in less than 15 minutes, using the same technology that powers some rapid flu tests. Teased by Vice President Mike Pence in a Thursday press briefing, the new diagnostic test could accelerate testing in the United States, allowing for rapid results in […]
All Federal Student Loan Payments Will Be Suspended Through Sept. 30 Due To The Coronavirus
Americans will get a six-month reprieve from federal student loan payments as the coronavirus pandemic leads to job losses and economic turmoil nationwide. As part of the coronavirus relief bill passed through Congress and signed by President Donald Trump on Friday, lenders must stop all payments for federal student loans through Sept. 30. During that […]
Trump signs $2 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill
President Donald Trump on Friday signed the $2 trillion coronavirus economic stimulus bill, putting in motion desperately needed financial relief for millions of Americans set back by the pandemic. Trump signed the bill just hours after the House passed it in a bipartisan vote. “I want to thank Democrats and Republicans for coming together […]
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson tests positive for coronavirus
Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson has tested positive for coronavirus, he said in a tweet Friday. He had developed “mild symptoms” in the last 24 hours and was “self-isolating,” he said. “I will continue to lead the government’s response via video-conference as we fight this virus.” Read the rest of the story at NBC News.
How and when do I get my stimulus check?
President Donald Trump and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin have targeted April 6. Tax experts (and lawmakers working on this) are very skeptical of that date. There’s no question they want — and need to turn this around — ASAP. There are also different ways it could be done — through direct deposit (which would be […]
‘I don’t believe you need 40,000 or 30,000 ventilators’: Trump questions New York’s plea for critical equipment
President Trump cast doubt Thursday on New York Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo’s assertion that his state, which has become the epicenter for the coronavirus outbreak in the United States, will need 30,000 ventilators to properly care for the influx of patients anticipated to flood hospitals in coming weeks. “I have a feeling that a lot […]
The coronavirus isn’t mutating quickly, suggesting a vaccine would offer lasting protection
The coronavirus is not mutating significantly as it circulates through the human population, according to scientists who are closely studying the novel pathogen’s genetic code. That relative stability suggests the virus is less likely to become more or less dangerous as it spreads, and represents encouraging news for researchers hoping to create a long-lasting vaccine. All viruses evolve […]
Jobless claims soar past 3 million to record as coronavirus sends Americans to the unemployment line
Americans displaced by the coronavirus crisis filed unemployment claims in record numbers, with the Labor Department reporting Thursday a surge to 3.28 million. The number shatters the Great Recession peak of 665,000 in March 2009 and the all-time mark of 695,000 in October 1982. The previous week, which reflected the period before the worst of […]
Nearly 100 People Died in NYC From COVID-19 in 24 Hours
Eighty-eight people have died of the new coronavirus in New York City in the past 24 hours, according to the NYC Department of Health. The number of total deaths due to the virus is now 280. Forty-nine percent of deaths occurred in adults over 75, and 96 percent of those who died had “underlying illnesses.” This […]
Who would get what and when from the $2 trillion stimulus package
The White House and Senate negotiators struck a deal early Wednesday morning on a massive $2 trillion package that will provide essential relief to an economy struggling amid the coronavirus crisis. The $2 trillion relief package is the biggest in American history. The Senate approved the bill late Wednesday. The House needs to pass the bill before it […]
Deaths in United States linked to COVID-19 surpass 1,000
The United States has reached a grim milestone as the number of deaths linked to coronavirus passed 1,000 in the country on Thursday, according to a count by NBC News. The number of reported deaths associated with the disease in the U.S. was at least 1,001 as of Thursday morning, according to that count, and […]
Senate unanimously passes massive $2 trillion coronavirus spending bill
The Senate overwhelmingly passed a massive stimulus package late Wednesday meant to soften the economic blow of the coronavirus pandemic for American workers and businesses. The bill includes billions of dollars in credit for struggling industries, a significant boost to unemployment insurance and direct cash payments to Americans. The fate of the bill now rests […]
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti warns that LA will be on lockdown for another two months — and to ‘be prepared for longer’
Los Angeles residents will be confined to their homes until May, at the earliest, Mayor Eric Garcetti told Insider on Wednesday. “I think this is at least two months,” he said, “and be prepared for longer.” In an interview with Insider, Garcetti pushed back against “premature optimism” in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, saying […]
What to do if you think you have coronavirus symptoms
As more people across the United States test positive for the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, it’s important to know what to do if you think you have the virus. If you develop mild flu-like symptoms, call your doctor or your local health department and mention why you think you may have COVID-19, said Dr. Jennifer Ashton, ABC News’ […]
Here are the stay-at-home orders state by state across the U.S.
As the coronavirus continues to tear its way through the U.S, millions of Americans face stay-at-home orders. But whether you have to stay in or can go outside — and for how long — depends largely on which state you live in. In hardest-hit New York, for example, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has ordered residents to stay at home and all […]
Reed Galen: Considering business or death, Trump chooses inhumanity
The COVID-19 crisis has had massive effects on our country: A massive economic shock precipitated by a rampaging pandemic has now pushed some of our political leaders — starting with President Donald Trump, into unthinkable places — even for him. Despite intelligence community warnings as early as January that the coronavirus was exploding in the Wuhan province of China, […]
Lack of Federal leadership causes scramble for medical equipment as U.S. states and hospitals compete for rare supplies
A mad scramble for masks, gowns and ventilators is pitting states against each other and driving up prices. Some hard-hit parts of the country are receiving fresh supplies of N95 masks, but others are still out of stock. Hospitals are requesting donations of masks and gloves from construction companies, nail salons and tattoo parlors, and considering […]
Coronavirus: Prince Charles tests positive for COVID-19
Prince Charles has tested positive for coronavirus. His spokesman confirmed that the 71-year-old royal had been diagnosed with the COVID-19 disease in a statement released this morning. The heir to the throne is said to have displayed “mild symptoms” but “otherwise remains in good health”, and has been self-isolating in Scotland with the Duchess of Cornwall – […]
Obama Logs On To Twitter and Facebook To Share Vital Health and Safety Information
Former President Barack Obama is making use of his large social media platforms to address the coronavirus crisis and posting like never before since leaving the presidency. Obama, who has remained mum on many of the biggest issues to arise during President Donald Trump’s time in office, is now routinely posting messages to Twitter — […]
White House public health expert says anyone who recently left New York should self-quarantine
The White House’s coronavirus response coordinator said Tuesday that anyone who has recently left New York should self-quarantine for 14 days in an effort to slow the spread of the virus in the US. “To everyone who has left New York over the last few days, because of the rate of the number of cases, you may have […]
Look Up Your State’s COVID-19 Test Results With This Tracker
We undoubtedly have far more cases of COVID-19 in the US than testing has revealed, but testing is still an important way to begin getting a handle on how far this outbreak has spread. An online tool called the Covid Tracking Project has collected each state’s testing data if you’d like to keep tabs on how that’s going. The […]
Multiple Tony-winning playwright Terrence McNally dies at 81 due to complications from coronavirus
Terrence McNally, one of America’s great playwrights whose prolific career included winning Tony Awards for the plays “Love! Valour! Compassion!” and “Master Class” and the musicals “Ragtime” and “Kiss of the Spider Woman,” has died of complications from the coronavirus. He was 81. McNally died Tuesday at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Sarasota, Florida, according to […]
Trump says he wants country ‘opened up’ by Easter, despite caution from health experts
President Donald Trump said Tuesday that he wants to have the country getting back to business by April 12, Easter Sunday, even as the coronavirus pandemic worsens. “I would love to have the country opened up and raring to go by Easter,” Trump said during a Fox News interview. Public health experts and local and state leaders have […]
Tokyo 2020 Olympics postponed over coronavirus concerns
The Tokyo 2020 Olympics have been postponed, Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced Tuesday. Abe said Japan and the International Olympic Committee came to an agreement during a phone call with the head of the IOC, Thomas Bach, following growing calls for the games to be delayed or canceled because of the concerns around coronavirus […]
Critical inhaler medication shortage looms as coronavirus cases soar
When Brett Cavin went to a pharmacy last week in Gresham, Oregon, to pick up his inhaler prescription for his asthma, he was turned away and warned it could take up to a week for the pharmacy to replenish its supply. Cavin is not alone, according to doctors and pharmacists who spoke to ABC News. As emergency rooms […]
Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick suggests he, other seniors willing to die to get economy going again
Dan Patrick, Texas’ Republican lieutenant governor, on Monday night suggested that he and other grandparents would be willing to risk their health and even lives in order for the United States to “get back to work” amid the coronavirus pandemic. “Those of us who are 70 plus, we’ll take care of ourselves. But don’t sacrifice the […]
Trump Claims U.S. Will See More Death By Keeping Economy Shut Than By Coronavirus
President Donald Trump’s insistence on downplaying the coronavirus risks reached dangerous levels Monday as he scoffed at medical advice and threatened to open up the economy despite skyrocketing case numbers. At the White House’s daily coronavirus briefing, the president focused on wanting to reopen businesses very soon despite global guidance to essentially shut down societies […]
UK government imposes 3-week national lockdown, enforced by police, to contain coronavirus
The United Kingdom went into full lockdown on Monday as the British government attempted to contain the spiraling number of coronavirus cases that have emerged in the country. The lockdown, which will be re-assessed in three weeks, will close all businesses deemed nonessential, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said. “The time has now come for us […]
Partisan tensions erupt in the Senate as coronavirus stimulus bill fails for a second time
Partisan tensions erupted on Monday afternoon as the Senate failed for a second time to advance a massive stimulus package to address the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, with lawmakers from each side accusing the other party of holding up negotiations. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., excoriated Democrats ahead of the vote saying, “this body […]
10 Ways to Ease Your Coronavirus Anxiety
It is easy to succumb to fear in the face of uncertainty and unpredictability. Yet, despite panic-inducing op-eds and a new study that estimates more than 9,000 Americans may already be infected, experts insist there is still room for a bit of optimism. In Italy, one of the primary hot spots of the pandemic, the number of recoveries continues […]
Americans turned to fun and creative ways to stay sane while social distancing this weekend
On any other Sunday, CNN News Editor Michelle Krupa, her husband and their two young boys would be hunting for empty seats at the St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Atlanta. But with all the Masses canceled due to the coronavirus, Krupa had to get creative. Transforming their living room couch into a church pew for […]
Coronavirus: What to do if you’re worried about paying your bills
Efforts are being made to help the millions of people who are expected to lose income because of the pandemic. Tax day has been pushed back until July 15. Some homeowners can defer their mortgage payments. Federal student loan payments have been delayed interest-free for two months. Some foreclosures and evictions have been suspended. Utility shutoffs in some municipalities have been put on hold. And […]
Marriott Furloughs Two-Thirds of Its Employees; CEO Calls Coronavirus Impact ‘Worse Than 9/11 and 2009 Financial Crisis Combined’
Marriott International, Inc., the world’s largest hotel company, announced on Sunday that it would furlough two-thirds of its workforce due to economic pressures from the coronavirus pandemic. The furlough will include two-thirds of the 4,000 employees at Marriott’s headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland and two-thirds of the 174,000 employees around the world, according to a report by Fox […]
Coronavirus Myths vs. Facts
Don’t get fooled by rumors and myths surrounding coronavirus. Here is a list of some of those myths, and the actual facts. Read the rest of the story at The New York Times.
How does it spread? Is takeout safe? Answering your most-asked questions
CNN readers from around the world have asked more than 50,000 questions about coronavirus. We’re reading as many as we can and answering some of the most popular questions here. If you have a question about coronavirus we haven’t answered, ask us here. You can also subscribe to our newsletter, Coronavirus: Fact or Fiction, or listen to Dr. […]
Over 80 million Americans under virtual lockdown as global coronavirus cases surge past 300,000
The number of global coronavirus cases surged past 300,000 on Sunday, with more than 13,000 deaths worldwide, according to John Hopkins University, which reported that China, Italy and the U.S. had the most people diagnosed with the respiratory illness. The news came as the number of Americans under virtual lockdown grew to over 80 million […]
If the coronavirus has you worried about your mortgage, do these three things
The health and economic impact of the spread of COVID-19 is both already devastating and only just beginning. Food-service and gig workers are already seeing their incomes dry up. Nest eggs are vanishing as the stock market collapses. It seems as if it’s only a matter of time before the impacts are felt in other […]
The Small Business Administration Is Offering Covid-19 Assistance
Click the link below to find out how the SBA can help your small business. Disaster Assistance from the Small Business Administration
“Very difficult to predict” how long “stay-at-home” orders will last, Dr. Fauci says
In the past 24 hours, some governors have begun issuing statewide stay-at-home orders in an attempt to slow the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Residents of California, New York and Illinois have all been ordered to remain in their homes as much as possible, barring some essential exceptions. In an interview with “CBS Evening News” anchor […]
Grocery stores urge calm amid coronavirus crisis: ‘This is a demand issue. Not a supply issue’
Despite scenes of empty shelves and customers hoarding all the essentials, the grocery industry says they are doing everything they can to remain open, safe and stocked amid the coronavirus pandemic, emphasizing that the supply chain is still flowing. “We know what the risks are and retailers are addressing those risks in the store,” Heather Garlich, who […]
FDA is working on treatment of coronavirus with blood from recovered patients
Dr. Arturo Casadevall was working from home in Baltimore on Thursday when his phone started to buzz with messages from colleagues. The commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration had just announced during a White House press briefing that the agency was investigating the possibility of using blood plasma donated by recovered coronavirus patients as a promising […]
Feeling depressed? You’re not alone — and you may want to seek help
It’s no exaggeration to say there’s a lot to worry about at the moment. That’s why mental health experts are advising people to pay attention to any feelings of anxiety or depression. “The outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 may be stressful for people,” says the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Fear and anxiety about […]
Three more states join California in telling nonessential workers to stay home
Connecticut, Illinois and New York joined California on Friday in ordering nonessential workers to remain at home to slow the spread of coronavirus, which means 1 in 5 Americans live in a state under general stay-at-home orders. New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo said he was hoping to alleviate what he said was an approaching “a total […]
Get Up-to-Date Information on COVID-19 From the WHO Using WhatsApp
With information changing quickly, it’s hard to find the latest and most up-to-date COVID-19 information. Today, the World Health Organization announced a new Health Alert system through WhatsApp. The free service is designed to help answer some of the questions the public might have about coronavirus. It’s available 24 hours a day. To access it […]
U.S. tax filing day moved from April 15 to July 15
Tax Day is being pushed back until July while the nation copes with the effects of the coronavirus, Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin announced Friday. “At @realDonaldTrump’s direction, we are moving Tax Day from April 15 to July 15. All taxpayers and businesses will have this additional time to file and make payments without interest or penalties,” […]
Don’t ask employees if they have COVID-19, and other HR tips for employers
Can I ask an employee if he or she has COVID-19, the illness caused by coronavirus? Can I send a sick worker home and require a doctor’s note to return? Should I worry about staff getting the virus from the mail or a shipping container from China? Those were among the top questions from a […]
Food banks are seeing volunteers disappear and supplies evaporate as coronavirus fears mount
Hunger advocates say they are growing increasingly concerned about how they are going to get food to millions of vulnerable Americans, especially in coronavirus “hot spots” across the country — and the many more facing food insecurity because of business closures and market upheaval. The widening coronavirus outbreak is making it difficult for food banks, food pantries […]
Chloroquine, an old malaria drug, may help treat novel coronavirus, doctors say
What do malaria and COVID-19 have in common? On the surface, not much. But according to early research, an old malaria drug called chloroquine might also work for the new coronavirus. Could a decades-old malaria drug work to treat COVID-19? Elon Musk seems to think so, recently tweeting that it “might be worth considering chloroquine” for […]
Coronavirus: Explained
Everything you wanted to know about the virus itself is explained in the video from ABC News at this link: Coronavirus: Explained
See who’d be eligible for coronavirus checks under Senate GOP plan
The plan unveiled Thursday night by Senate Republicans to send direct cash payment to help Americans hurt by the coronavirus pandemic would send checks of up to $1,200 per person in a one-time payment — and payments would be based on income. Under the plan, the details of which were revealed on the Senate floor by Majority Leader […]
Gov. Gavin Newsom orders all Californians to stay at home
Gov. Gavin Newsom on Thursday ordered Californians to stay at home, marking the first mandatory restrictions placed on the lives of all 40 million residents in the state’s fight against the novel coronavirus. The governor’s action comes at a critical time in California, where 19 people have died and at least 1,000 have tested positive […]
New York Mayor De Blasio calls on Tesla’s Elon Musk to make ventilators for New York City
New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has been raising concerns for weeks about an impending ventilator shortage as coronavirus rapidly spreads throughout the city. Now, he’s turning to Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk for help. “New York City is buying! Our country is facing a drastic shortage and we need ventilators ASAP — […]
U.S. Coronavirus Death Toll Rises To 150
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Thursday reported 10,491 cases of coronavirus, an increase of 3,404 cases from its previous count, and said the death toll had risen by 53 to 150. The CDC reported its tally of cases of the respiratory illness, COVID-19, caused by a new coronavirus, as of 4 p.m. ET on March 18 […]
Democrats sue to expand voter access amid spread of coronavirus
Amidst rapid changes surrounding in-person voting as concerns of novel coronavirus spread, Democratic groups are suing to expand voter access at the polls in some states. The Ohio Democratic Party (ODP) sued Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose after Gov. Mike DeWine ordered the polls closed on Tuesday due to a health emergency caused by coronavirus. LaRose […]
Experimental drug holds promise for treating the coronavirus
There are early signs that an experimental treatment for people who become very sick from the coronavirus may start working within 24 hours of the first dose. The treatment, an antiviral therapy called remdesivir, is thought to work by blocking the virus from reproducing itself in the body. “It basically stops the production of the […]
Coronavirus: State Department warns Americans not to travel
The U.S. State Department raised the global travel advisory Thursday to Level 4: Do Not Travel, citing the coronavirus pandemic. Americans should consider returning to the U.S. immediately through whatever commercial means are available, the advisory warned. The guidance comes as Americans traveling abroad struggle to make their way home amid widespread border closures and […]
What to Do if the Coronavirus Outbreak Is Affecting Your Finances
All jokes about Netflix and social distancing aside, the coronavirus outbreak is causing financial uncertainty for a lot of people. From workers who rely on tips to events staffers for now-canceled festivals and trade shows, there are plenty of scenarios where the income you can typically count on may not come through. If you’re lucky, it’s a minor inconvenience. […]
Live Updates On Coronavirus Statistics
If you’d like to see live updates on coronavirus cases and deaths around the world, this website gives a great snapshot.
New York Stock Exchange temporarily closing trading floors, going all electronic
The New York Stock Exchange will temporarily close its trading floors and switch to all-electronic trading beginning when markets open next Monday amid the novel coronavirus outbreak. “Trading and regulatory oversight of all NYSE-listed securities will continue without interruption,” its operator, Intercontinental Exchange, Inc., said in a statement Wednesday. The facilities that will be closed include the […]
Trump Signs Coronavirus Aid Bill
After some changes that watered down its paid sick leave provisions over the weekend, a bipartisan bill offering financial relief to vulnerable Americans affected by the coronavirus was passed by the U.S. Senate and signed by Trump on Wednesday. Forty-five Republicans joined all Democrats in voting to send the measure to his desk. “The Act makes emergency supplemental appropriations […]
Large Number of Patients with COVID-19 Are Younger — United States, February 12–March 16, 2020
As of March 16, a total of 4,226 COVID-19 cases had been reported in the United States, with reports increasing to 500 or more cases per day beginning March 14. Among 2,449 patients with known age, 6% were aged ≥85, 25% were aged 65–84 years, 18% each were aged 55–64 years and 45–54 years, and […]
Two members of the U.S. House of Representatives test positive for COVID-19
Two members of the House of Representatives have tested positive for the coronavirus illness COVID-19 and are self-quarantining, the lawmakers said Wednesday. Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., and Ben McAdams, D-Utah, are the first two members of Congress who have said they tested positive for COVID-19. Diaz-Balart was the first to make the announcement Wednesday. His office said […]
The coronavirus pandemic began in China. Today, it reported no new local infections for the first time
China has reported no new locally transmitted coronavirus cases for the first time since the the pandemic began, marking a major turning point in the global battle to contain Covid-19. At a news conference on Thursday morning, officials from China’s National Health Commission announced there had been just 34 new cases in the past 24 hours — […]
What is and isn’t allowed during a ‘shelter-in-place’ order
The basics of a “shelter-in-place” order during the coronavirus pandemic are fairly clear: Stay at home. But as cities, states and the federal government take increasingly aggressive moves to stop the spread of the novel coronavirus, the precise details of a “shelter-in-place” order and its many exceptions for “essential activities” may soon become familiar to millions of […]
Lincoln Project: Can Trump handle the virus?
Today, The Lincoln Project released a new ad, ‘A Virus In The World’ that asks tough questions about the real threat Donald Trump poses to America. “Echoing one of the most iconic political ads of all time, this new ad poses the same kind of compelling questions that the 1984 Reagan “Bear in the Woods” […]
Health officials caution young people to ‘heed the advice’ on coronavirus
President Donald Trump and a top US health official cautioned young people to heed the advice to socially distance and be wary of the coronavirus pandemic even though they do not fall in the highest risk groups. Dr. Deborah Birx said during Wednesday’s briefing at the White House that the coronavirus task force is concerned about reports indicating […]
Senate Approves Relief Package to Provide Paid Sick Leave and Other Benefits
The Senate approved a relief package Wednesday to provide sick leave, unemployment benefits, free coronavirus testing, and food and medical aid to people impacted by the pandemic, sending it to President Trump, who is expected to sign it. The package passed by a vote of 90 to 8 after the majority leader, Senator Mitch McConnell, […]
U.S. to suspend evictions, authorize Defense Production Act to mobilize businesses to aid coronavirus response
President Donald Trump said Wednesday he is invoking the Defense Production Act to mobilize U.S. private production capacity to combat the coronavirus outbreak. Trump also said his administration is “suspending all foreclosures and evictions until the end of April” to help those affected by the virus. The Defense Production Act, enacted in 1950, allows the […]
Who gets a ventilator? Hospitals facing coronavirus surge are preparing for life-or-death decisions
Amid growing fears that the United States could face a shortage of ventilators for coronavirus patients, state officials and hospitals are quietly preparing to make excruciating decisions about how they would ration lifesaving care. The plans may not be necessary, as officials are scrambling to secure more ventilators, which can make the difference between life and death for coronavirus […]
Covid-19 Is Already Wreaking Havoc on the Blood Supply – Here’s How To Safely Give
Covid-19 is expected to tear through the already fragile U.S. healthcare system, as waves of pneumonia and severe respiratory illness begin to flood the country’s emergency rooms and hospitals. But the outbreak is also imperiling a vital part of our medical infrastructure: the blood supply. U.S. blood centers have been experiencing rapidly declining levels of […]