COVID-19 update, 15 March 2022 1pm

David Tennant opened the 2022 Red Nose Day fundraiser by giving a special tribute to Zoe Ball who is missing the show due to getting Covid.

Then-White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows speaks to members of the press outside the West Wing of the White House on August 28, 2020 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) RALEIGH, N.C. - North Carolina state investigators are probing the voter registration of Mark Meadows, a former chief of staff to President Donald Trump, amid questions about him listing a home he never owned on voter records, the state attorney general’s office said Thursday.Attorney General Josh Stein's office asked the State Bureau of Investigation to look into Meadows' voter registration after a local prosecutor requested that state authorities oversee any probe of the matter, N.C.

A pair of new studies that sized up how COVID-19 vaccines affected hospitalizations, including during the Omicron variant surge, found that mRNA vaccines were highly effective against severe illness and that unvaccinated people were 12 times more likely to be hospitalized compared with those who had received a booster, with the risk especially high in Black patients.

Even when insurance companies waived charges for COVID-19 hospitalizations, 10% of patients still had out-of-pocket costs of $2,000 or more for care that took place in the 6 months after they were released, finds a new study in the American Journal of Managed Care.The same team published a study Feb 14 in JAMA Network O

COVID-19 have died as the number of hospitalizations linked to the virus continued to drop Friday.The latest deaths, reported on the province’s online COVID-19 dashboard, bring Manitoba’s COVID-19 death toll to 1,726. Manitoba goes mask-free, many businesses, people remain cautious The number of people hospitalized as a result of COVID-19 fell to 382 as of Friday morning, 13 fewer than had been reported 24 hours earlier.As of Friday, 13 people are in ICU with the virus, down four from Thursday.Numbers released by the province Thursday show COVID-19 hospitalizations dropped 15.6 per cent from the previous week and ICU admissions linked to the virus were down 68.2 per cent over the previous week.Manitoba lifted all remaining COVID-19 public health orders Tuesday, including a mask mandate that had required face coverings to be worn in public spaces.

Ontario rejects Waterloo board’s request to have mask mandate extended in schools Of the 23 inpatients with COVID-19, 13 are being treated for COVID-19 while 10 are being treated for something other than COVID-19 but were found to have an incidental infection.At least 167 staff cases are currently active at LHSC, unchanged from Thursday but up from 155 on Wednesday.At St. Joseph’s Health Care London, officials reported 64 cases among health-care workers and two cases among patients or residents, both of Parkwood Institute Main Building.

COVID-19 testing requirements for fully-vaccinated people crossing the border from the U.S. to Canada “could be huge” for the city beaten down economically by the pandemic.Jim Diodati says Canada’s number one leisure destination pre-pandemic had been seeing close to 14 million visitors per year which equated to about 50 per cent of revenues for the city and its businesses.However, closures to Niagara’s casinos, hotels, restaurants and general hospitality sector affected close to 32,000 (16 per cent) of residents in the entire region through job losses requiring the provincial government to inject millions in support programs to revitalize tourism in early 2021.

COVID-19 data as she has done throughout the pandemic.“With key indicators continuing to improve or remain stable and the majority of public health measures now lifted, today will be the last day I tweet the daily COVID-19 numbers,” Christine Elliott said Friday.She noted that updated data will still be available on the province’s website. Ontario COVID numbers: 615 people in hospital, 193 in intensive care Throughout the pandemic, Elliott would tweet the latest COVID-19 figures daily, providing an update on the epidemiological situation in the province.The province has shifted towards “living with and managing COVID-19,” a plan which includes lifting all public health measures by the end of April.On Monday, the mask mandate will lift for most public settings in the province.With key indicators continuing to improve or remain stable & the majority of public health measures now lifted, today will be the last day I tweet the daily #COVID19 numbers.There are no changes to available data.

Jean Charest says when it comes to lifting federal COVID-19 mandates, leaders should listen to health experts and not replace that advice with their own judgment.Federal Conservatives and their supporters have long been calling for the removal of vaccine mandates for domestic air travellers, public servants and those working in federally regulated industries.Tory MPs say rapid testing should be allowed for those who choose to be unvaccinated. They have dismissed the mandates, announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau before last summer’s federal election, as driving division in the country and threatening people’s livelihoods.Recently, Conservatives have pointed to provinces’ choices to drop their vaccine passport rules along with remaining health restrictions, following the Omicron-driven wave of the pandemic when infections soared.

FILE-A Dairy Queen employee displays an ice cream cone at a DQ restaurant in New York. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images) WASHINGTON - With spring days away, Dairy Queen is giving customers a special treat with the return of their popular Free Cone Day giveaway.On Monday, March 21, customers can get a free, small vanilla ice cream cone at Dairy Queen locations nationwide — except locations inside malls. The free cones are limited to one per person while supplies last and may not be valid for delivery or mobile orders. RELATED: Dairy Queen giving away free ice cream on March 20Dairy Queen was among several companies in 2021 that changed or canceled their giveaway events based on the pandemic.

COVID-19 state of emergency on Monday, the rest of the municipalities in Waterloo Region intend to follow suit next week, although the region itself will not be lifting it.“The removal of the emergency declaration is a key milestone for the township, our residents and businesses as we continue forward in our journey to recovery from the pandemic,” North Dumfries Mayor Sue Foxton said.

COVID-19. Ontario lifts mask mandate in most settings March 21, all directives to drop by April 27 “As we continue on this path, we are able to take a more balanced and longer-term approach to the province’s pandemic response, including in Ontario schools, by removing many of the measures that have been put in place over the past two years.,” the letter reads.“This does not mean COVID-19 has disappeared.”The MOH says students and staff should continue to self-screen while it also has plans to update the screening tool.It also says it will continue to provide masks for both students and teachers should they wish to continue wearing them while those who are more at risk should be made aware of new anti-viral options.The letter also notes that good hygiene should be promoted and that there are increased cleaning measures in place.The letter from the province describes its prevention and response measures as being “robust”.“There remain circumstances where masking is recommended or required, and it will be important to foster an environment that is kind considerate and inclusive for those who choose to continue to wear a mask,” the letter reads.

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COVID-19 as hospital numbers continued to fall Friday.There was a total of 1,021 pandemic-related hospitalizations, a decrease of 13. This comes after 76 patients were admitted in the past day, while 89 were discharged.There were 45 intensive care unit cases, a drop of five.The province added 1,170 new novel coronavirus cases, though health authorities say the daily tally doesn’t represent the current situation since access to government-run screening sites remains limited.

Scientists have sounded the alarm on Long Covid's impact on concentration and memory.

COVID on Friday, with 193 in intensive care units, as figures continue to trend downward.This is down by 29 for hospitalizations and a decrease of six in ICUs since the previous day. Last Friday, there were 717 hospitalizations with 238 in ICU.The province recently began distinguishing between those who were admitted to hospital directly because of COVID, and those who were admitted for other reasons but tested positive for the virus.Of the 615 people in hospital with COVID-19, 44.5 per cent of them were admitted because of the virus, while 55.5 per cent were admitted for other reasons but tested positive for COVID-19.Of the 193 people in ICUs with the virus, 79 per cent were admitted because of COVID, while 21 per cent were admitted for other reasons.

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COVID-19 health restrictions lifting, many Canadians are finally able to envision a return to normal life. But, as they face burnout, staff shortages and daunting procedural backlogs, some health workers say it isn’t so easy to move on.

After nearly a month of decline, COVID-19 infections around the world have started to creep up again. New cases have shot up by eight per cent globally compared to the previous week, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). However, experts are not sure Canada will see another wave even with loosened public health measures.

Coronavirus infections have continued to increase in England, Wales and Scotland, though the trend is “uncertain” in Northern Ireland, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). In England, around one in 20 people in private households are estimated to have had the virus in the week to March 12, or 2.7 million people – up from one in 25, or 2.1 million people, in the week to March 5.

Tom Parker beamed with joy after his bandmates shared some positive news with fans on the final night of their Greatest Hits tour.It comes as the five-piece group celebrated their chart-topping career on a nationwide tour, despite Tom's devastating inoperable brain tumour diagnosis in October 2020.The group consisting of Max George, 33, Tom, 33, Nathan Sykes, 28, Siva Kaneswaren, 33, and Jay McGuiness, 31, took to the stage performing hits including All Time Low and Walks Like Rihanna, much to the delight of fans.Despite his ongoing health struggles, Tom made the decision to join his pals for their closing numbers, Glad You Came and Gold Forever.A source told us: "Max told fans that this wouldn't be the last we would see of The Wanted, the group were really positive about their future and seemed optimistic about it."They performed as a four-piece until the final two songs when Tom appeared, sitting on a throne wearing sunglasses, a wardrobe change that his bandmates also joined in with."They added: "Despite his condition, he was in such high spirits and seemed overjoyed to be on stage but became rather emotional which is totally understandable."When Max was telling fans this isn't the last, Siva piped up adding that the heart vacancy girls might be the last of the tour but there'll be many more to come."This was echoed by Jay who told fans they need to "keep their eyes peeled" for future news, who later confirmed this on social media. Performing to a packed crowd at Liverpool's M&S Bank Arena, the group went one step further and brought out EastEnders actress, Maisie Smith, as Max's heart vacancy girl.

UN News, “So, the idea that ‘we are through with it’ in the northern hemisphere and now we have to wait until next winter, I think (for example) when we look at increasing rates in the UK, we need to be very vigilant and cautious with this."

TV presenter Zoe Ball has revealed she’s been forced to pull out of tonight’s Comic Relief after testing positive for Covid-19.The 51 year old radio DJ took to Instagram to announce the sad news, as she shared that Alesha Dixon would be standing in for her on the big night. Alongside a snap of a positive test, former Strictly It Takes Two host Zoe wrote: “pook ! fell at last hurdle and have had positive lat flows this am- noooooooo.” She continued to her 600,000 followers: “Gorgeous @aleshaofficial is going to work the double shift tonight on @ComicRelief, i owe you lady love.” Get exclusive celebrity stories and fabulous photoshoots straight to your inbox with OK!'s daily newsletter The mum of two then gave a special shout out to the rest of the Comic Relief team who will be entertaining viewers.

All travel rules have been axed in Scotland and across the UK in a major moment for the travel industry.

WASHINGTON (AP) - With the nation yearning for a new normal after its long struggle with the coronavirus, U.S. Health Secretary Xavier Becerra warned Thursday that vaccines, tests and treatments will be "stuck on the ground" unless Congress provides the additional funds the White House has demanded."We have reached a pivot point," Becerra said in an interview with The Associated Press.

Moderna has sought emergency use authorisation from US health regulators for a second Covid-19 booster shot, as a surge in cases in some parts of the world fuels fears of another wave of the pandemic.

Central government also asked states and UTs to send adequate numbers of samples to INSACOG to ensure timely detection of new variants while maintaining adequate testing as per the protocols for testing laid by ICMR.

Covid-19 infections have suddenly shot up. The WHO weekly report on the pandemic issued late Tuesday, noted that there were more than 11 million new Covid-19 infections last week - about an 8% rise - and 43,000 new deaths, as per news agency PTI report.

#COVID19 cases, 3,997 recoveries, and 149 deaths in the last 24 hours.Active case: 29,181 (0.07%)Daily positivity rate: 0.40%Total recoveries: 4,24,58,543Death toll: 5,16,281Total vaccination: 1,80,97,94,58 pic.twitter.com/PhvoxNiXxV

fourth shot of its Covid-19 vaccine as a booster dose for all adults.

Canada is removing the need for incoming fully-vaccinated travellers to get tested for COVID-19 before entering the country. As Morganne Campbell explains, this new directive is set to take effect on April 1st.

FILE - Vials containing Moderna COVID-19 vaccine. WASHINGTON - Drugmaker Moderna asked the Food and Drug Administration on Thursday to authorize a fourth shot of its COVID-19 vaccine as a booster dose for all adults.The request is broader than rival pharmaceutical company Pfizer's request earlier this week for the regulator to approve a booster shot for all seniors.In a press release, the company said its request for approval for all adults was made "to provide flexibility" to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and medical providers to determine the "appropriate use" of a second booster dose of the mRNA vaccine, "including for those at higher risk of COVID-19 due to age or comorbidities."U.S.

Covid-19 infections and zero deaths, the state health bulletin said. With this, the total caseload in the city rose to 10,57,457, while the death toll remained at 16,693.

COVID-19 dropped again on Thursday, according to Alberta Health’s website.On Thursday, there were 967 in hospital with the virus. Of those people, 67 were receiving care in the ICU.

Canada will scrap pre-arrival COVID-19 testing rule for vaccinated travellers April 1 “There’s a lot of quotes, a lot of inquiries. But physically getting people to committing to booking, especially groups, we’ve had a lot of that in the last couple of days,” Jamieson told Global News.It’s not the only factor at play.

South Korea today reported a massive jump in COVD-19 cases, which topped 600,000, as Omicron surges continue in a handful of Asian hot spots.

A study of mental health (MH)-related emergency department (ED) visits during the pandemic found fluctuating patterns of visits relative to COVID-19 case surges, with increases after surges and variations both within and across racial and ethnic groups, researchers reported yesterday in JAMA Psychiatry.

An online UK study finds that about 70% of 181 adult COVID survivors had memory and concentration problems several months after infection, 75% reported persistent symptoms so severe that they couldn't work, and 50% said that medical professionals didn't take their symptoms seriously.

Four-dose efficacy of mRNA vaccines against symptomatic Omicron COVID-19 infection is modest, according to a research letter yesterday in the New England Journal of Medicine that described a small study in Israel.Of 1,050 eligible Israeli healthcare workers, 154 received a fourth d

COVID-19 report.In the seven days ending on March 12, the province reported 832 new cases through PCR testing. This is down from the 1,013 reported the previous week.The report stated 6,826 laboratory tests were conducted during the week, with a test positivity rate of 11.8 per cent.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (Photo by Edwin J. Torres/Office of Gov. Phil Murphy)TRENTON - New Jersey Gov.

Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine approved for kids 6-11 in Canada Of the 27 inpatients with COVID-19, 12 are being treated for COVID-19 while 15 are being treated for something other than COVID-19 but were found to have an incidental infection.At least 167 staff cases are currently active at LHSC, up from 155 the day before. At St.

Packages of Pfizer's Paxlovid, an antiviral drug that treats COVID-19. (Photo by Fabian Sommer/picture alliance via Getty Images) GENEVA (AP) - Nearly three dozen companies worldwide will soon start making generic versions of Pfizer's coronavirus pill, the U.N.-backed Medicines Patent Pool that negotiated the deal said Thursday.The Medicines Patent Pool said in a statement that agreements signed with 35 companies should help make Pfizer's antiviral nirmatrelvir, or Paxlovoid, available to more than half of the world's population.Get breaking news alerts in the free FOX5NY News app | Sign up for FOX 5 email newslettersGeneric drugmakers across a dozen countries in Asia, the Caribbean, the Middle East and Eastern Europe will begin producing either the raw ingredients for the Pfizer drug or the pill itself.

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CLEVELAND, Ohio - Just days after country music legend Dolly Parton announced she was withdrawing her name from the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame’s nomination to induct her, the foundation has issued a statement. "All of us in the music community have seen Dolly Parton’s thoughtful note expressing her feeling that she has not earned the right to be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame," the foundation responded to FOX Television Stations Group. "In addition to her incredible talent as an artist, her humility is another reason Dolly is a beloved icon by millions of fans around the world."Parton was among 17 contenders announced last month, including Beck, Pat Benatar, Eminem and Dionne Warwick.

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