New infections are up 316% from last Labor Day; first-responders not rushing to get vaccine: Live COVID-19 updates
Daily coronavirus infections are more than four times what the U.S. was seeing on Labor Day last year, or a 316% increase, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. And daily deaths are almost twice as high. Blame the highly contagious delta variant and a swath of Americans refusing easily accessible vaccines that most of the developing world is furiously scrambling to obtain. USA Today, Read More.
Medicaid Vaccination Rates Founder as States Struggle to Immunize Their Poorest Residents
Medicaid enrollees are getting vaccinated against covid-19 at far lower rates than the general population as states search for the best strategies to improve access to the shots and persuade those who remain hesitant.Efforts by state Medicaid agencies and the private health plans that most states pay to cover their low-income residents has been scattershot and hampered by a lack of access to state data about which members are immunized. The problems reflect the decentralized nature of the health program, funded largely by the federal government but managed by the states.KHN, Read More.
100,000 more COVID deaths seen unless US changes its ways
The U.S. is projected to see nearly 100,000 more COVID-19 deaths between now and Dec. 1, according to the nation’s most closely watched forecasting model. But health experts say that toll could be cut in half if nearly everyone wore a mask in public spaces.In other words, what the coronavirus has in store this fall depends on human behavior.AP News, Read More.
At least 90,000 students have had to quarantine because of COVID-19 so far this school year
Just weeks into the new school year, at least 90,000 children in 19 states have had to or are currently quarantining or isolating after contracting COVID-19 or coming into contact with someone who tested positive for the disease.The disruptions have caused uncertainty for parents, students and school districts that had hoped to resume in-person instruction after a year marked by lockdowns and virtual learning.The Hill, Read More.
Louisiana And Mississippi Were Overwhelmed By COVID-19 Cases. Then Ida Struck
Louisiana was already battling its fourth coronavirus surge — and worst one yet — when Ida struck. Here’s what that means for hospitals, patients and those seeking shelter (and coronavirus tests):There were 2,450 people hospitalized with COVID-19 as of Saturday, according to Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, who noted that hospitalizations decreased 20% over the previous 10 days but still remained higher than at any point during the pandemic. NPR, Read More.