CDC loosens mask mandates for health care facilities

CDC loosens mask mandates for health care facilities

The federal government is no longer recommending universal masking in health care facilities, according to new CDC recommendations quietly published last week. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention edict issued Friday reversed nearly two and a half of years of guidance in saying that face coverings are now only required in hospitals and nursing … Read more

CDC: early figures show unvaccinated at much higher risk for monkeypox

CDC: early figures show unvaccinated at much higher risk for monkeypox

People who were eligible for a monkeypox vaccine but did not receive one were about 14 times more likely to become infected than those who were vaccinated, according to preliminary data released Wednesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). While extremely limited, the figures offer an initial look at the effectiveness of … Read more

CDC Warns About Enterovirus D68, the Virus Linked to Paralysis in Kids

CDC Warns About Enterovirus D68, the Virus Linked to Paralysis in Kids

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is warning about an increase of a respiratory illness that’s linked to paralysis in kids. It’s called enterovirus D68, and the CDC says it’s currently on the rise in the U.S. The CDC shared the news in its Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, which points out that … Read more

‘Untreatable’ STI linked to infertility, miscarriage due to ‘silent spread’

‘Untreatable’ STI linked to infertility, miscarriage due to ‘silent spread’

A new possible “superbug” STI that has proven resistant to antibiotics thus far has scientists worried amid an “out of control” STD epidemic, with the medical community saying more screenings for the disease are needed. Mycoplasma genitalium — also known as M. genitalium or M. gen — is a sexually-transmitted bacterial infection that can cause … Read more

US sees increase in respiratory infections that can lead to paralysis in children, CDC data shows | CNN

US sees increase in respiratory infections that can lead to paralysis in children, CDC data shows | CNN

CNN  —  Doctors should prepare for a possible increase in young patients with enterovirus D68, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Tuesday, and that may be linked to more cases of the rare, paralyzing condition acute flaccid myelitis. There was an increase in acute respiratory illnesses and emergency department visits driven by … Read more

CDC no longer recommends universal masking in health facilities

CDC no longer recommends universal masking in health facilities

(The Hill) — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention no longer recommends universal masking in health care settings, unless the facilities are in areas of high COVID-19 transmission. The agency quietly issued the updates as part of an overhaul to its infection control guidance for health workers published late Friday afternoon. It marks a … Read more

New, Omicron-specific COVID-19 booster shot now available at local providers, according to Kenosha County health official

New, Omicron-specific COVID-19 booster shot now available at local providers, according to Kenosha County health official

KENOSHA NEWS STAFF The new, Omicron-specific COVID-19 booster shot is now available at local providers, and people ages 12 and up are encouraged receive it, according to Kenosha County Board of Health President Dr. Diane Gerlach. Gerlach said Thursday the updated shot, known as the bivalent booster, can help restore protection from COVID-19 that has … Read more

Continuing COVID craziness shows it was never about the science

Continuing COVID craziness shows it was never about the science

The pandemic is essentially over, right? For some, yes. For others, not so much. It was only June when unvaccinated Canadians were finally allowed to leave the country, for reasons unclear to anyone. The vaccine doesn’t prevent transmission, so how did it make sense to keep the unvaccinated behind the frozen curtain? It didn’t. But … Read more

Rabies-infected bat discovered in Orange County

Rabies-infected bat discovered in Orange County

Local Orange County health officials are alerting the public after a bat tested positive for rabies in Fountain Valley on Wednesday. The infected bat was discovered in the parking lot of a pickleball court located near 16400 Brookhurst Street, according to the OC Health Care Agency. Visitors are being asked to stay alert and avoid … Read more

CDC recommends masks for 14 Michigan counties, raising from 8 last week

CDC recommends masks for 14 Michigan counties, raising from 8 last week

Michigan has 14 counties at a high COVID-19 Community Level this week according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC uses Community Levels to determine COVID risk, putting counties in one of three buckets: low (green), medium (yellow) or high (orange). The CDC recommends masking while indoors in public when counties are … Read more

CDC warns of increase in respiratory illness among children that could lead to polio-like muscle weakness

CDC warns of increase in respiratory illness among children that could lead to polio-like muscle weakness

(WXIN) – Doctors across the U.S. have seen an increase among children of a respiratory virus that can cause polio-like muscle weakness. In most cases, enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) causes a respiratory illness with mild symptoms. It can, however, result in a condition called acute flaccid myelitis (AFM) that can cause inflammation of the spinal cord. … Read more

CDC warning parents, pediatricians about dangers of Enterovirus D68

CDC warning parents, pediatricians about dangers of Enterovirus D68

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – The CDC is asking pediatricians to look for a rare, but serious respiratory infection in children. It’s not the flu or covid-19. It’s called Enterovirus D68, which can lead to a condition that causes paralysis. It’s tricky to diagnose because its symptoms mirror the common cold, with afflictions like runny nose, cough, … Read more

LA County is getting closer to rolling back indoor mask requirement as Omicron subvariate surges

LA County is getting closer to rolling back indoor mask requirement as Omicron subvariate surges

LOS ANGELES (KABC) — As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, Los Angeles County is getting closer to rolling back an indoor masking mandate. The county is on the verge of moving to the CDC’s “high” level of community transmission. Staying two weeks at that level will automatically trigger an indoor masking mandate. A return to … Read more

New York City’s monkeypox vaccination website is crashing as cases continue to rise

New York City’s monkeypox vaccination website is crashing as cases continue to rise

NEW YORK CITY (WABC) — For the second time in less than a week on Tuesday, the New York City website crashed for scheduling monkeypox vaccinations. The city said traffic was heavy – further evidence that the demand for shots remains high. On Tuesday, the city released 1,250 appointment time slots at its clinics in … Read more

White House urges Americans to take precautions as COVID variants spread

White House urges Americans to take precautions as COVID variants spread

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Biden administration is calling on people to take renewed precautions about COVID-19, stressing the importance of getting booster shots for those who are eligible and Wearing masks indoors as two new highly permeable variants spread rapidly across the country. The new variants, labeled BA.4 and BA.5, are offshoots of the Omicron … Read more

New York City opens more monkeypox vaccination appointments today

New York City opens more monkeypox vaccination appointments today

CHELSEY, New York City (WABC) — More New York City residents will have a chance to sign up for the monkeypox vaccine Tuesday. Bookings are taking place as soon as monkeypox vaccine appointments become available. Today at 1 p.m., the city is expected to release 1,250 appointment time slots at its clinics in Chelsea, Harlem … Read more

7th case of monkeypox in Indiana, says CDC

7th case of monkeypox in Indiana, says CDC

Indianapolis (Wish) — The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Listed seven confirmed cases of monkeypox in Indiana on Monday. The latest case has been added since Friday. The Indiana Department of Health reported that the state’s first case of monkeypox in Indiana was identified on June 18., The state government has not made … Read more