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Your Coronavirus Update – Today, Sept. 9, 2020
Photo: St. Rocco’s instructor/nun is conducting a media campaign to increase enrollment
NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL
Early reports about vaccines show they are very complicated both in storage, temperature requirements, some in multiple “shots”, etc. The CDC is set to coordinate this. More: https://providencejournal-ri.newsmemory.com?publink=140ae4ac0_13437f0
Times Square Hilton Hotel will close due to lack of business.
A Maryland nursing home has new infections, involving half its residents, 32 people, and 17 staff
Up to 60,000 UK residents are said to have “long COVID”, requiring a longer rehabilitation time to full recovery.
Arizona Republic Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport added seven UV-C light sterilizers to some pre-security escalators to maximize the safety of travelers amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Billy Joe Driver, 84, Mayor of Clanton, Alabama for 36 years, died of COVID19
Hot dogs were in short supply for Labor Day weekend as many meat-packing plants had work stoppages with coronavirus outbreaks.
11 freshman from Northeastern University have been dismissed – their tuition will not be returned – for violating COVID19 safety protocols.
President Trump said his administration may use $300 billion to pay a new round of individual stimulus payment, from an account that hasn’t been used, if Congress approves.
Tyson Foods to open medical clinics at several of its U.S. meat plants
The Batman movie filming has been suspended as one crew member tests positive.
Pope Francis will make his first trip since the start of the pandemic – to Assisi – to sign an “encyclical” document.
Maine wedding that was a super-spreader claims its 3rd life – a person in their 80s. 72 cases are now at a local prison, 20 at a rehab center, and 10 at the church where the wedding was. 147 cases.
France closed some schools as COVID-19 infections rise – the United Kingdom and Spain are also seeing a spike in cases
100,000+ contact tracers working nationwide in the US
The Air Force Academy sent 400 cadets to hotels to free up space on its Colorado base for quarantines.
Health officials such as White House coronavirus task force member Dr. Deborah Birx have been urging colleges to keep students on campus to avoid them infecting members of their family and community.
Past French PM Berlusconi is in good condition with a mild lung infection from COVID19
Berlin will invest over $4.7M into 375 local health offices – which should generate more than 5,000 new jobs
Michigan gyms to reopen this week.
43% of Americans in last week’s Axios-Ipsos coronavirus survey reported that they were concerned about their job security. 44% said they were worried about their ability to pay their bills.
Canada has seen cases increase 25% in the last month
100 Sydney, Australia hospital workers isolated
Sales of medical self-exam kits and diagnostic software are surging among people opting to monitor their vital signs at home during the pandemic.
Encore Boston will lay off 385 workers
McConnell calls for vote on a narrow COVID-19 bill, without provider funding.
Quincy has opened a puppy park for use by masked owners keeping social distancing rules
CMS clarifies COVID-19 relief funds won’t penalize future Medicare pay (https://bit.ly/3i6aHOm)
Walmart teams up with primary care network Oak Street Health (https://bit.ly/3bHuam3)
Hong Kong delayed their election one year because of coronavirus demonstrations and concerns about a fair election.
Mass. school district forced to hold lottery after more families seek in-person instruction for their students than the district says it can accommodate
New Jersey now allows 25% indoor dining.
Gyms in California that are in government buildings can be open while private gyms and fitness centers cannot.
The Easthampton City Council has joined with other municipalities in the state urging the legislature and Gov. Charlie Baker to commit resources to build a new Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke.
30% of Massachusetts school districts will begin school remotely.
Williamsville, NY school district has 90 teachers take a leave of absence and 110 resign, leaving schools unable to open.
GradGuard is offering “tuition insurance providing a refund for housing, activity fees, deposits and tuition that are lost when a student has to withdraw from school,” said John Fees, chief executive officer of the Boston-based company.
Colleges and universities have found at least 51,000 coronavirus cases already, according to the NY Times
Each of these colleges/universities exceeds 1,000 cases: Illinois State University, the University of South Carolina, Auburn University, the University of Alabama and UNC Chapel Hill.
With the NBA, NHL, WNBA and MLS bubbles having all worked, the NCAA is considering bubbles for the college basketball season.
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said there have been preliminary talks for bubble basketball at the Mohegan Sun resort.
Boston-based Orig3n has been ordered to stop its COVID-19 testing after reporting hundreds of false positives.
At least 383 Massachusetts samples which were reprocessed by a different lab were found to be “erroneously positive,” officials said.
Sales of used cars have taken off during the pandemic, as many people try to avoid public transit.
9 research companies have signed onto a pledge not to rush the vaccine, out of concern for people being cautioned that the vaccines are being rushed, or may not be safe.
The CDC says those with serious heart conditions are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19 and influenza, and advise flu shots this year.
RHODE ISLAND & VICINITY
Massachusetts lab with “erroneously positive” results impacting some RI nursing home testing results
Dr. Ashish Jha, head of Brown University School of Public Health says: “There’s no sugarcoating, this is not going to be an easy fall and winter. But if everybody gets their flu shot, I think it’ll make this season a bit better.” So, too, will continuing to wear masks and social-distance, Jha said. See full interview at Providence Journal site: https://bit.ly/3bLpfRi
Mark Patinkin writes he is waiting for his rapid test results – three weeks later.
Staff member at Holyoke, MA Soldiers’ Home tests positive and visitation is again suspended for all veterans.
Virtual running of 2020 Boston Marathon underway and will continue through rest of this week
Bristol/Warren School Dept. staff member tests positive
Providence Teachers Union (PTU) held a news conference at the state house steps showing what a classroom would have to look like, with demonstrators sitting in classroom set-up chairs.
Rhode Island colleges reporting numbers so far this year:
URI, with 2,800 screened – 4 positive
PC – 8
RWU – 9
RISD – 1
Salve – 1