ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) — Gov. Larry Hogan directed flags in Maryland to fly at half-staff on Thursday in remembrance of more than 10,000 state residents who have died from COVID-19. The state reported Thursday morning that 21 more Maryland residents have died from COVID-19. That brought the total number of confirmed deaths to 10,011 over the last 19 months. Hogan said in a statement that more people are getting vaccinated each day, but that the virus remains a significant threat to the vulnerable. The state reported that there have been 1,330 more confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the last 24-hour period. That brings the total number of cases reported in the state to 515,259 since the pandemic began. The state also reported that there are 804 people hospitalized with the virus, a decrease of 15 from a day earlier. … [Read more...]

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas schools are seeing a growing number of COVID-19 outbreaks, and school-aged children are getting infected more frequently than any other age group. The state Department of Health and Environment's latest data, reported Wednesday, showed 63 active COVID-19 clusters in schools across the state, responsible for 408 cases and one hospitalization. That's up from 31 active clusters accounting for 179 cases last week, The Topeka Capital-Journal reported. Also, 34 of this week's reported clusters are new. “When I compare this time to a year ago, I can tell you that we’re seeing already a tremendous amount of more cases in schools,” said Kansas Education Commissioner Randy Watson said this week during a meeting on COVID-19 in schools. The state health department's data shows that there were 450 new cases per 100,000 children aged 5 through 17 during the week of Sept. 5. The age group with the next-highest rate of new cases was from 35 through 44, at 363 per … [Read more...]

Almost 5,500 Chicago students and staff have been potentially exposed to the coronavirus in the first two weeks of school. A Chicago Public Schools (CPS) official on Tuesday told leaders of the Chicago Teachers Union that 5,665 students and 98 staff members were told to quarantine as of Sept. 11 due to exposure to the virus, The Chicago Tribune reported . The data published by CPS says there have been 155 students and 90 adults with confirmed cases of the coronavirus from Aug. 29 to Sept. 11. ADVERTISEMENT ”The district is in the process of ramping up to provide COVID-19 testing of staff and students with signed consent to 100 percent of schools on a weekly basis. We are currently on target to test at 170 schools this week with full implementation by the end of the month,” CPS said in a statement. “ “We are working diligently to expand testing capacity and, in the meantime, encourage all students and staff members to opt-in to the testing program,” it … [Read more...]

California Gov. Gavin Newsom Gavin Newsom Biden hails Newsom win as validation on pandemic policies The Hill's 12:30 Report - Presented by Facebook - Simone Biles, gymnastics stars slam FBI during Nassar testimony Coronavirus most important issue among California voters, exit polling shows MORE (D) is pointing to his victory in Tuesday’s recall election as evidence that voters want Democrats to pursue more stringent measures to combat the coronavirus pandemic. Asked in an interview with CBS News what his recall win means for Democrats, Newsom said it proved “that we need to stiffen our spines and lean in to keeping people safe and healthy.” “Don't be timid. Lean in,” he said. “Because at the end of the day, it's not just about formal authority of setting the tone and tenor on masks — on vaccines and masks. But it's the moral authority that we have: that we're on the right side of history and we're doing the right thing to save people's lives.” … [Read more...]

Idaho on Thursday announced that it is activating a system for rationing medical care statewide amid a surge in COVID-19 cases that is overwhelming hospitals. The system known as Crisis Standards of Care allows hospitals to prioritize for care healthier people who are more likely to recover. "Someone who is otherwise healthy and would recover more rapidly may get treated or have access to a ventilator before someone who is not likely to recover," the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare said in a statement explaining the system. ADVERTISEMENT The state said not every hospital would need to ration care and that some would be able to function as normal. When hospitals are overwhelmed, care for people without COVID-19 is also hurt. Idaho said that is a reason for its decision to activate the new system. “The situation is dire – we don’t have enough resources to adequately treat the patients in our hospitals, whether you are there for COVID-19 or a heart attack or because … [Read more...]

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The PIAA is taking another step to ensure the protection of student-athletes. It’s requiring all officials for state playoff games and tournaments to be vaccinated. READ MORE: COVID-19 In Pennsylvania: State Reports 5,786 New Cases, 72 Additional Deaths At this point, it’s only the state playoffs. Regular season and WPIAL playoff referees are not required to be vaccinated. “We are trying to do our part by having our officials vaccinated,” PIAA Assistant Executive Director Pat Gebhart said. The PIAA came to this decision after its Sports Medicine Advisory Committee came to the recommendation. “They’ve met very frequently over the last couple of years since COVID came upon us,” Gebhart said over Zoom. Coaches and athletic directors feel this is another level of protection for students, fans and coaches. “When more people are vaccinated, the better off we all are going to be so we can keep getting people in their athletic venue,” North Allegheny … [Read more...]