India’s Health Ministry Monday announced a record 273,810 new COVID cases in the previous 24-hour period. About 1 in 3 people tested for COVID-19 in the Indian capital of New Delhi recently returned a positive result, according to the city’s chief minister Sunday. “The bigger worry is that in last 24 hours positivity rate has increased to around 30% from 24%,” chief minister Arvind Kejriwal told a news briefing Sunday. “The cases are rising very rapidly. The beds are filling fast,” he said. People in Delhi have turned to social media to complain about the lack of oxygen cannisters and the shortages of hospital beds and drugs. With more than 15 million people with the infection, India is second to the U.S. which has 31.6 million infections. Just more than 1% of India’s population has been vaccinated, according to Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. Cases surge in Iran On Sunday, Iran reported its highest daily death toll from the coronavirus in months, as hospitals in the capital and elsewhere were filling to capacity. Iran’s Health Ministry reported 405 deaths from the virus and confirmed more than 21,000 infections Sunday. The country’s highest single-day death toll was 480 last November. Iran has battled one of the worst outbreaks in the region but has said it cannot sustain long lockdowns to quell the virus for fear of too much economic damage. Iran’s vaccination campaign has been slow, dependent on a range of domestically made vaccines. About one-tenth of 1% of its population has been fully vaccinated, according to Johns Hopkins. Meanwhile Sunday, Israel lifted the requirement that masks be worn outdoors. Nearly 56% of its population is fully vaccinated against the virus, according to Johns Hopkins. The mask mandate remains in place, however, for enclosed spaces. Half US adult population vaccinated The United States reported Sunday that just over half of its adult population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 ...
Covid
Malawi President Fires Cabinet Minister Over COVID Funds
BLANTYRE - Malawi's President Lazarus Chakwera has fired his labor minister and arrested 19 officials for fraudulent use of funds meant to fight the coronavirus. The arrests came after an audit revealed Malawi officials used millions of dollars in funds for their own expenses. Political analysts say the firing was less punishment than a means to deter other fraud. Malawi’s Labor Minister Ken Kandodo is the highest-level official that President Lazarus Chakwera fired for misusing coronavirus funds. According to a government audit, Kandodo used less than $800 from the COVID fund for allowances during an October trip to South Africa with Chakwera. When contacted Monday, Kandodo refused to comment on the matter. “I cannot comment, I cannot comment, no, I can’t. I am still in the state of shock,” he told VOA. In a televised national address Sunday evening, the president said the firing, and arrest of 19 other officials, was to show that no corruption would be tolerated. “Even though the minister has since returned the money, his usage of the funds means that the money was unavailable for its intended purpose when it was needed most. And I cannot have in my Cabinet any individuals who either spend money budgeted for one thing on something else or do not ask tough questions to ensure that the money they are spending on something was budgeted for that purpose,” he said. Visibly angry, Chakwera warned that anyone connected to fraudulent use of the $8 million fund would face consequences. A Malawi police statement released Sunday night said those arrested would face charges, including “theft by a public servant,” and could be punished with hard labor if found guilty. Despite the small amount of money, and Kandodo’s refunding it, critics of corruption say his firing sends the right message. Blantyre International University political science lecturer Sheriff Kaisi says it should help to deter official fraud. “What has happened is commendable job that ...
What Should You Do With COVID-19 Vaccination Card After Getting Both Doses?
(CBS Local)- Vaccination rates in the U.S. continue to rise with the latest data from the Centers For Disease Control showing that roughly half of the country’s population has received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. The percentage of people who are fully vaccinated sits right around 30 percent of Americans. As more and more people receive their full allotment of the vaccine, the question is what do you do with the vaccine card afterwards? The CDC recommends taking a picture of the card as a backup in the event that you lose it. In addition, the agency says you should hold on to your card in case you need it for future use. READ MORE: COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 428 New Cases, 1 Additional Death If you don’t receive a vaccination card at your visit, the CDC says you should contact the vaccination site provider or your state health department to get more information on how to get a card. Another question that arises surrounding the card is whether or not you should protect it by getting it laminated. Office supply stores like Office Depot and Staples have announced that they will laminate your vaccine card for free . However, some experts say that you shouldn’t laminate the card in case more information needs to be added to the card at a later date. With Pfizer’s CEO saying last week that it’s likely people will need a third dose between six and 12 months , it’s likely that more info will be needed to be added to those cards. READ MORE: Convicted Sex Offender In West Virginia Set Free After Prosecutor Error Cited But, Dr. Maureen Miller told CBS News that she’s in favor of laminating the cards because record-keeping of who has and hasn’t been vaccinated “will have evolved” by the time a booster shot comes. Should You Keep Your COVID-19 Vaccine Card With You In Public? Experts told CBS News that you should store the card someplace safe at home ideally keeping it with other important medical records and ...
All New Jersey Residents Age 16 And Up Now Eligible For COVID Vaccine
NEWARK, N.J. (CBSNewYork) – As of Monday, everyone 16 and up in the United States is eligible to get the COVID vaccine . The rule has already been in effect for New York and Connecticut, but now it starts in New Jersey, too. READ MORE: Suspect Lionel Virgile Arraigned In Brooklyn Federal Court After Allegedly Throwing Bleach, Molotov Cocktail At Police As CBS2’s John Dias reports, seniors lined up outside the COVID-19 vaccination site at Essex Community College to get their second shot. “I have faith in the vaccine,” one told Dias. Now, younger generations can join in, since as of Monday, there are new rules in New Jersey for who can get a COVID vaccine. Watch: Gov. Murphy Announces All NJ Residents 16+ Eligible For COVID Vaccine — All adults qualify, 16 and up, no matter their health condition or occupation. “If expanding it to that age, and they say they want to do it, then great for them,” said Newark resident John Teabout. “We can’t exclude young people because of their age,” said Ed Kelly. Kelly just hopes the new age group follows through with booking appointments. “You have a lot of people running around here, not vaccinated, they can spread the virus,” Kelly said. READ MORE: Gender 'X' Option Now Available On New Jersey Driver's Licenses And IDs Gov. Phil Murphy says the state is still on track to reach its goal of fully vaccinating 70% of the adult population by June 30, but herd immunity can only be reached if this new group complies. COVID VACCINE New York State book online here or call 1-833-NYS-4-VAX New York City book online here or call 877-VAX-4NYC Track NYC vaccinations by zip code Nassau County more info here Suffolk County more info here Westchester County more info here New Jersey book online here or call 1-855-568-0545 Connecticut book online here “I don’t think young people should be getting the vaccine,” said 18-year-old Zaniyyah Obery. “I’m kind of a little ...
COVID-19 In Pittsburgh: Allegheny Co. Health Dept. Reports 428 New Cases, 1 Additional Death
By: KDKA-TV News Staff PITTSBURGH (KDKA) — The Allegheny County Health Department is reporting 428 new Coronavirus cases and one additional deaths over the past 48 hours. READ MORE: Convicted Sex Offender In West Virginia Set Free After Prosecutor Error Cited Of the newly reported cases, the Health Department says 372 are confirmed and 56 are probable cases. The Health Department says new cases range in age from 3 months to 96 years with a median age of 32 years. READ MORE: City Of Pittsburgh Drive-In Movie Series Begins April 24 There have been 6,395 total hospitalizations and 94,112 total coronavirus cases in Allegheny County since the pandemic started. The county-wide death toll stands at 1,834. MORE NEWS: 'Calling On The Community': Pittsburgh City, Community Leaders Issue Call To Action Due To Wave Of Violent Crime More information on the Coronavirus pandemic: CDC Coronavirus Information CDC Global Map of Confirmed COVID-19 Cases Pennsylvania Department of Health Information Allegheny County Health Department Information ...
