December 17, 2020 6:29 pm
WASHINGTON (AP) – A U.S. government advisory panel has endorsed a second COVID-19 vaccine. The action Thursday paves the way for the shot from Moderna to be added to the U.S. vaccination campaign. The Food and Drug Administration is expected to act quickly to authorize the vaccine for emergency use. The vaccination effort kicked off this week with a vaccine from Pfizer. A second vaccine is urgently needed as coronavirus infections, hospitalizations and deaths in the U.S. climb to new highs ahead of the holidays. Doses for now are being earmarked for health care workers and nursing home residents.
December 17, 2020 4:20 am
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Two people are dying of COVID-19 every hour in California’s most populous county as hospitals struggle to keep up with the surge of coronavirus patients. On Wednesday, the state set daily records for newly reported cases and deaths. Most of California’s 40 million residents are under stay-at-home orders because of dwindling intensive care unit capacity. The massive rise in infections began in October and is being blamed largely on people ignoring safety measures and socializing with others. A pair of state advisory committees has started making potential life-and-death decisions over who is next in line for scarce vaccines.
December 17, 2020 4:19 am
As COVID-19 vaccinations roll out, health authorities are keeping close watch for any unexpected side effects. Doctors already knew to be on the lookout for severe allergic reactions like an Alaska health worker had after receiving the Pfizer vaccine Tuesday. She is recovering and another worker with an adverse reaction Wednesday has been released from treatment. The cases are a reminder to follow U.S. advice to hang around after the injection just in case of such reactions. More common are flu-like reactions as the immune system revs up. But the government is tracking how recipients fare in several ways, including checkups-by-text in the days after a shot.
December 17, 2020 4:17 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Interior Secretary David Bernhardt has become the latest administration official to test positive for the coronavirus. Interior spokesman Nicholas Goodwin says Bernhardt received the test results Wednesday. Goodwin says Bernhardt is currently without symptoms and plans to keep working from quarantine. A series of other administration officials also have tested positive in the course of the pandemic, including President Donald Trump, who was hospitalized in October. Vice President Mike Pence is expected to receive the vaccine Friday.
December 17, 2020 4:16 am
WASHINGTON (AP) – Congressional leaders appear to be on the brink of a COVID-19 economic aid package. But there’s no deal yet. As negotiators went home from the Capitol Wednesday night, agreement seemed near on legislation that would extend help to individuals and businesses and ship coronavirus vaccines to millions. Negotiators are working on a $900 billion package that would revive subsidies for businesses hit hard by the pandemic, help distribute new vaccines, fund schools and renew soon-to-expire jobless benefits. They’re also looking to include new direct payments of about $600 to most Americans. There’s intense pressure for a deal. Unemployment benefits run out Dec. 26 for more than 10 million people. Many businesses are barely hanging on after nine months of the pandemic.
December 17, 2020 4:14 am
Members of the family who own OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma are scheduled to answer questions from a congressional panel about their role in the nation’s long-running opioid addiction crisis. It marks a rare appearance in a public forum for the Sacklers, who have faced increased scrutiny in recent years over Purdue’s role in the nation’s opioid addiction and overdose crisis. Activists have been waiting to hear them field tough questions. Kathe Sackler and David Sackler agreed to testify after the committee’s chairwoman, Democratic Rep. Carolyn Maloney, threatened to issue subpoenas. Purdue Pharma’s CEO also will answer questions.
December 17, 2020 4:08 am
NORTH VERSAILLES, Pa. — (WPXI) – A man was hit and killed by a North Versailles Public Works plow truck that was out clearing snow-covered roads on Wednesday afternoon. According to investigators, County 911 was called just before 5 p.m. for a vehicle versus pedestrian accident in the 100 block of Union Avenue. Police said the man was walking with a snow blower when the plow truck was backing up the street. The victim was pronounced dead at the scene, and homicide detectives are investigating. The victim’s identity has not yet been released.
December 17, 2020 4:06 am
The ‘dig-out’ has begun. Washington County residents dealing with some eight-inches of snow after a powerful storm system rolled through. Travel around the region could still be tricky in some spots. State Police Washington tell WJPA that reduced speed limits remain on Interstates 70 and 79. Troopers tell us there was also an issue overnight involving several disabled tractor trailers at the south junction to I-79. State police tell us ,once crews were able to get to the area, the situation cleared. There are also reports of some power outages. West Penn Power is reporting nearly 500 customers without service early Thursday morning. The outages the result of the weather, specifically the heavy wet snow bringing down tree and limbs onto power lines.
December 17, 2020 2:31 am
Shortly after 7 a.m. on Dec. 16, Carol Soltes, who works in the Operating Room, at Monongahela Valley Hospital, received Washington County’s first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. “I’m getting the vaccine to help keep our patients and my co-workers and family safer,” Ms. Soltes said as she rolled up her sleeve for the injection. Monongahela Valley Hospital was among the first health systems in Western Pennsylvania and the only one in Washington County to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in the first shipment. MVH is administering the Pfizer vaccine to its employees and physicians in two doses approximately 21 days apart. The Pfizer vaccine is 50% effective after the first dose and 95% effective after the second dose. “It is wonderful that we have the ability to provide this vaccine to staff, said Sherry Watkins, MBA, MSN, RN, MVH’s senior vice president of Nursing. “It is important for us to protect ourselves so we are here every day to care for our community.” (Photo: Carol Soltes, who works in the Operating Room, receives one of Washington County’s first COVID-19 vaccinations at Monongahela Valley Hospital from Christopher Coccari, RN, director of Perioperative Services)
December 16, 2020 5:27 pm
(AP) – Twitter says it will begin removing misinformation about COVID-19 vaccinations from its site. That includes false claims that the virus is not real, debunked claims about the effects of receiving the vaccine. It will also remove baseless claims suggesting immunizations and vaccines are used to intentionally cause harm or to control people. Twitter said in a blog post Wednesday that it will start enforcing the new policy next week. If people send tweets in violation of the rules, they will be required to delete them before they are able to tweet again. Before the offending tweet is removed, Twitter will hide it from view.
