Monthly Archives: September 2021

Denmark has lifted the last of its coronavirus restrictions, effectively declaring that the virus was no longer a critical threat to society and allowing the country to get back to a semblance of prepandemic normal.

This can only be done because we have come a long way with the vaccination rollout, have a strong epidemic control, and because the entire Danish population has made an enormous effort to get here, Magnus Heunicke, Denmarks health minister, said in a statement on Friday about the lifting of restrictions.

The Danish government announced late last month that it would allow the restrictions to lapse, and pointed to Denmarks high vaccination rates. As of Saturday, about 76 percent of the countrys population had received one dose of a vaccine, and 73 percent had been fully vaccinated, according to data compiled by The New York Times.

While the rules lifted on Friday allow Danes to go more freely about their lives, foreign travelers will still be subject to some restrictions, including presenting a negative coronavirus test upon arrival or possibly even isolating for 10 days, depending on where they are coming from.

The Danish government had been gradually easing its coronavirus restrictions for weeks, including lifting a public transportation mask mandate in mid-August. But the rules lifted this week included the expiration of the coronavirus passport requirement that it had in place for entry into venues like nightclubs.

Mr. Heunicke said that the Danish government would continue to monitor the pandemic, and that it would be ready to act quickly if the situation were to deteriorate.

Denmark was one of the hardest hit countries of Scandinavia, though its northern neighbor Sweden, which shunned hard lockdowns, fared far worse. But cases have fallen in both, and Sweden expects to loosen most of its restrictions starting at the end of the month.

By contrast, Norway, which like Finland had kept cases low through most of the pandemic, is experiencing is worst outbreak to date. However, deaths remain low thanks to Norways high vaccination rates 74 percent of the population have had at least one shot and 64 percent are fully vaccinated.

Excerpt from:

Denmark Lifts the Last of Its Pandemic Restrictions - The New York Times

Illinois health officials on Friday reported 26,062 new COVID-19 cases in the past week, along with 197 additional deaths and over 143,000 new vaccine doses administered.

In all, 1,564,386 cases of coronavirus have been reported in the state since the pandemic began, according to the latest data from the Illinois Department of Public Health. The additional deaths reported this week bring the state to 24,261 confirmed COVID fatalities.

The state has administered 578,943 tests since last Friday, officials said, bringing the total to more than 29.7 million tests conducted during the pandemic.

The states seven-day positivity rate on all tests dropped to 4.5% from 5% last week, which was up from 5.7% the week before, officials said. The rolling average seven-day positivity rate for cases as a percentage of total tests also dropped to 5.1% from 5.4% the week before.

Over the past seven days, a total of 143,596doses of the coronavirus vaccine have been administered to Illinois residents - down from around 185,000 the week before. The latest figures brought the states average down to 20,514 daily vaccination doses over the last week, per IDPH data.

More than 14.1 million vaccine doses have been administered in Illinois since vaccinations began in December. More than 62% of adult residents in the state are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with more than 79% receiving at least one dose.

As of midnight Thursday, 2,346 patients were hospitalized due to COVID in the state. Of those patients, 549 are in ICU beds, and 311 are on ventilators.

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Coronavirus in Illinois: 26,062 New COVID Cases, 197 Deaths, 143K Vaccinations in the Past Week - NBC Chicago

Low-vaccinated communities continue to lead the state in weekly coronavirus case rates, an analysis by The Oregonian/OregonLive found, underscoring how the delta variant is devouring the unvaccinated.

Oregon has seen cases fall from record levels set earlier this month. But new and presumed infections remain high, and the communities hardest hit continue to be almost exclusively in vaccine-resistant southern Oregon.

The ZIP code for Myrtle Creek in Douglas County led all of Oregon in coronavirus case rates for the week ending Wednesday, among ZIP codes with at least 40 new cases.

The area recorded 103 new or presumed infections per 10,000 residents, roughly double the worst rate for a community in the Portland area.

The vaccination rate in the Myrtle Creek ZIP code? A staggeringly small 38.2% among residents of all ages, far below the statewide average of 62.4%.

In fact, 11 of the 12 ZIP codes with the highest weekly case rates are all well below the statewide average for people at least partially vaccinated. Only the ZIP code for Lincoln City, along the Oregon coast, surpassed the statewide vaccination mark.

ZIP codes in southern Oregons Douglas and Josephine counties accounted for eight of the dozen areas with the highest weekly case rates. The ZIP codes generally run along the Interstate 5 corridor, including Roseburg, Grants Pass, Sutherlin and Winston.

Vaccination rates in each of those eight areas is below 50%.

While both ZIP codes for Grants Pass made the list of jurisdictions with the highest case rates, one of those, the 97526 ZIP code, led all of Oregon in total new cases regardless of population. It posted 256 cases for the week ending Wednesday, more than double the highest total from a ZIP code in the Portland area.

The list of ZIP codes with high new cases also skews heavy along I-5 in southern Oregon, including Medford, Roseburg, but it also includes parts of Salem. And it features Bend and Redmond in central Oregon, too.

State health officials for months have been saying the summer surge is a pandemic of the unvaccinated, and Oregons record-breaking case counts flooded hospitals. More people with COVID-19 died in August than in all but two other months of the pandemic, and September could be worse.

Officials for the Oregon Health Authority did not respond to a request for comment to the newsrooms analysis comparing case rates with vaccination rates. But Patrick Allen, the agencys director, released a separate statement Thursday about the states mounting death toll, saying it marks a failure of our collective responsibility to take care of each other.

He said Oregonians could prevent more people from dying by taking simple steps to stop COVID-19 from spreading.

The COVID-19 vaccines are extremely safe and effective at preventing serious illness and death from the virus, including the delta variant, he said in the statement. I urge every Oregonian who can to get vaccinated and wear your masks when youre in public places inside and outdoors.

-- Brad Schmidt; bschmidt@oregonian.com; 503-294-7628; @_brad_schmidt

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Coronavirus spread remains stubbornly high in these Oregon ZIP codes - oregonlive.com

The prime minister is expected to repeal some powers of the Coronavirus Act as he sets out the government's plan for managing COVID-19 over the autumn and winter.

Boris Johnson will outline the next steps in the pandemic response at a news conference next week.

Downing Street said COVID-19 will circulate alongside flu and other respiratory viruses, with the threat of a new variant adding to the unpredictability of the colder months.

But Mr Johnson is likely to repeal Coronavirus Act powers in England that are deemed no longer necessary, including:

Powers to close down the economy

Powers to impose restrictions on events and gatherings

Powers to temporarily close or restrict access to schools

Powers to detain infectious people.

Powers that are deemed as "critical to protect and support the public" will remain, including giving sick pay to those isolating from day one rather than day seven of their isolation, directing schools to remain open if they are closing against government guidance, and helping the NHS to get the emergency resources it needs.

People will also still have to isolate if they test positive for COVID-19, in an effort to protect the most vulnerable from infection and to control the spread of variants, Number 10 said.

Mr Johnson said: "Thanks to the efforts of the public, the NHS and our phenomenal vaccination programme, we reached Step 4 in our Roadmap and life has returned to a sense of normality.

"These extraordinary times required necessary but intrusive measures. But I'm determined to get of rid of any powers we no longer need because of our vaccine defences.

"I will set out the next phase in our COVID response shortly."

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The Public Health (control of disease) Act of 1984 is separate from the Coronavirus Act and contains emergency powers that can be used in pandemics if there is the potential for significant harm to human health.

No changes are planned for the Public Health Act.

The COVID management plan will focus on vaccines as the "first line of defence" in the autumn and winter, supported by new treatments, testing, and variant surveillance.

As of 9 September, nearly 90% of the UK population aged over 16 have received a first dose of a COVID vaccine, and over 80% have received both doses.

A decision is expected next week from the Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisation (JCVI) on how widely a third jab should be offered to boost protection.

Public Health England data shows that two doses of the Pfizer vaccine is 96% effective against hospitalisation from the Delta variant, while the Astra-Zeneca vaccine in 92% effective.

But it has already been confirmed that those who have compromised immune systems will be offered a third vaccine dose, as they are likely not to have gained enough protection from two doses.

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COVID-19: PM to repeal parts of Coronavirus Act that are 'no longer necessary' - Sky News

Health officials reported that two more deaths and another 581coronavirus cases have been detected in Maine.

Saturdays report brings the total number of coronavirus cases in Maine to 80,510,according to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Thats up from 79,929 on Friday.

Of those, 57,751 have been confirmed positive, while 22,759were classified as probable cases, the Maine CDC reported.

Two new deaths were reported, raising the death toll for the state to 961.

The number of coronavirus cases diagnosed in the past 14 days statewide is 5,129. This is an estimation of the current number of active cases in the state, as the Maine CDC is no longer tracking recoveries for all patients. Thats up from 4,963 on Friday.

The new case rate statewide Saturday was 4.34 cases per 10,000 residents, and the total case rate statewide was 601.54.

Maines seven-day average for new coronavirus cases is 348.9, up from 337 on Friday, down from 383.3 a week ago and up from 159.1 a month ago. That average peaked on Jan. 14 at 625.3.

The most cases have been detected in Mainers younger than 20, while Mainers over 80 years old make up the majority of deaths. More cases and deaths have been recorded in women than men.

So far, 2,371Mainers have been hospitalized at some point with COVID-19, the illness causedby the new coronavirus. Of those, 184 are currently hospitalized, with 71 in critical care and 36 on ventilators.

As of Saturday, 858,660 Mainers were fully vaccinated, or about 72.5 percent of eligible Mainers, according to the Maine CDC. An additional 1,320 vaccine doses were administered in the previous 24 hours.

Cases have been reported in Androscoggin (9,054), Aroostook (2,784), Cumberland (19,040), Franklin (1,602), Hancock (1,832), Kennebec (7,530), Knox (1,425), Lincoln (1,316), Oxford (4,012), Penobscot (8,479), Piscataquis (838), Sagadahoc (1,619), Somerset (2,837), Waldo(1,751), Washington (1,141) and York (15,250) counties.

New Hampshire reported 332 new cases on Saturday and five deaths. Vermont reported 147 new cases and one death, while Massachusetts reported 1,873 new cases and 18 deaths.

As of Saturday morning, the coronavirus had sickened 40,866,487people in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands, as well as caused 659,018deaths, according to the Johns Hopkins University of Medicine.

More articles from the BDN

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2 more Mainers have died as 581 new coronavirus cases reported across the state - Bangor Daily News

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 have passed 223.1 million globally, according to Johns Hopkins University. The number of confirmed deaths stands at more than 4.6 million. More than 5.6 billion vaccination doses have been administered globally, according to Our World in Data.

Viet Nam plans to reopen the resort island of Phu Quoc to foreign tourists from next month.

The US Transportation Security Authority is doubling fines for first-time offenders who fail to wear masks. Repeat offenders could face fines as high as $3,000.

Australia's new confirmed daily COVID-19 cases topped 1,900 for the first time in the pandemic on Friday.

Moderna announced yesterday it is working on a single vaccine that combines a booster dose against COVID-19 with its experimental flu shot.

The Italian government has expanded the list of jobs where proof of COVID-19 immunity is required, extending mandatory vaccination and the use of the so-called 'Green Pass'.

Japan has extended emergency COVID-19 restrictions in Tokyo and other regions until the next of this month.

Los Angeles County school officials have voted to mandate COVID-19 vaccines for all students aged 12 and over - the largest school district in the US to take the step.

Each of our Top 50 social enterprise last mile responders and multi-stakeholder initiatives is working across four priority areas of need: Prevention and protection; COVID-19 treatment and relief; inclusive vaccine access; and securing livelihoods. The list was curated jointly with regional hosts Catalyst 2030s NASE and Aavishkaar Group. Their profiles can be found on http://www.wef.ch/lastmiletop50india.

Top Last Mile Partnership Initiatives to collaborate with:

US President Joe Biden has announced a number of new measures to tackle COVID-19, in particular resistance to having vaccines. He announced policies requiring most federal employees to get a jab and pushing large employers to have their workers vaccinated or tested weekly.

The measures would apply to about two-thirds of all US employees - those who work for businesses with more than 100 workers.

"We've been patient," Biden told the tens of millions of Americans who have declined to get coronavirus shots. "But our patience is wearing thin, and your refusal has cost all of us."

The moves are expected to be subjected to political and legal challenges. You can see more details of the plan here.

World Health Organization Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on Wednesday called for more to be done to tackle vaccine inequity.

"There has been a lot of talk about vaccine equity, but too little action," he told a media briefing.

Some 5.5 billion vaccines doses have been administered globally, he explained. But, 80% of these have been given in high- and upper-middle-income countries.

COVID-19 vaccine doses administered by country income group.

Image: Our World in Data

He called on high-income counties and vaccine manufacturers to fulfil promises to donate doses. "We don't want any more promises. We just want the vaccines."

Dr Tedros also extended his call for a global moratorium on booster doses from the end of September until at least the end of the year "to enable every country to vaccinate at least 40% of its population".

Written by

Joe Myers, Writer, Formative Content

The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.

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COVID-19: What you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic on 10 September - World Economic Forum

YUCAIPA, Calif. (AP) The husband of a Southern California nurse who died of complications from COVID-19 more than two weeks ago has died after battling the disease himself, leaving behind five young children including a newborn girl.

Daniel Macias of Yucaipa died on Thursday, a family member told KTLA-TV.

I dont know anyone who loved their kids as much as they did, and they made sure they told them every day, Terri Serey, Daniels sister-in-law, told the station. I want them to be aware of how much theyre loved. And I want them to know how much their parents loved them.

Daniel and his wife, Davy, were admitted to a hospital intensive care unit days apart last month after being diagnosed with COVID-19. A doctor delivered the couples daughter eight days before Davy Macias died.

The parents never got the chance to meet or name their daughter, according to family members.

Its absolutely heartbreaking. We were really pulling for Daniel after Davy died. We wanted him to wake up and name his baby girl, Terri Serey told KTLA.

The couple developed symptoms after going on a family trip to the beach and an indoor water park at the end of July, family members said.

Macias brother, Vong Serey, told the San Bernardino Sun last month that his sister was not vaccinated against COVID-19, and was hesitant to get the shot because she was pregnant. She was a nurse in the labor and delivery ward at Kaiser Fontana Medical Center and had worked throughout the pandemic, he said.

Serey did not know whether his brother-in-law had been vaccinated.

Daniel Macias was a middle school math teacher in the Rialto Unified School District, district spokeswoman Syeda Jafri said.

He is remembered as a compassionate, kind-hearted, fun-loving and generous teacher at Jehue Middle School but he was also a devoted family man, the district said in a statement.

The couples children, who are 7 and under, are under the care of their grandparents, according to family members.

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California parents of 5 children die of COVID-19 weeks apart - Associated Press

HONOLULU (KHON2) Hawaii still has the lowest fatality rate in the country but deaths are quickly rising and young people are dying too.

In August, there were 52 COVID-related deaths statewide. Three were in their 30s, four of the deaths were in their 40s, eight were in their 50s, nine were in their 60s, 19 were in their 70s and nine were 80 years old or older.

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September is already off to a grim start. There have been 63 COVID-related deaths in the first 11 days of the month.

The youngest death was a man in his 20s, six residents in their 30s have died, four who were in their 40s, 15 who were in their 50s, 15 who were in their 60s, 11 in their 70s and 11 who were 80 or older.

Lt. Gov. Josh Green said the uptick is due to the States huge surge in coronavirus cases.

The greater challenge is that we have 84 people in the intensive care unit and 72 people on ventilators, so about 50% of each of the people on a ventilator end up passing away, he explained. So we can expect about 30 to 40 fatalities in the next, you know, 10 days to two weeks.

As of Thursday, Sept. 9, there were 136 COVID patients hospitalized within the Queens Health Systems. According to Queens data, all 34 COVID ICU patients and all 33 COVID patients on ventilators were unvaccinated.

Green said as of Saturday, Sept. 11, there were 393 COVID patients hospitalized.

We are now seeing the hospital numbers begin to drift down, although part of it is heartbreak because people are passing away, he said.

Its very tough times and so everyones working overtime, including mortuary services, he said. The best thing we can do is make that choice to get vaccinated or asked our loved ones and friends to get vaccinated.

The Citys Medical Examiners Office is also overwhelmed. The City said the morgue can hold up to 60 bodies and 50 bodies can be stored in one of its mobile trailers. As of Friday evening, Sept. 10, only one trailer was in use.

I do anticipate that will change shortly, said Charlotte Carter, the City medical examiners acting supervising investigator. I cant predict things, I cant say when or if funeral homes pick up and people have services, then we may not need that second trailer, but really just at the pace were going well probably need that trailer in the next week or two is my best guess.

Not only are more cases coming in, but she also said some family members are being held until proper arrangements can be made.

If someone is COVID positive, their families are probably under quarantine and not able to go to a funeral home to make arrangements or due to the restrictions in place, theyre not wanting to make those arrangements until a time where they can have a true celebration with everyone who cares about that person, she explained.

FEMA does have funeral reimbursments if the death is COVID-related but Carter said the reimbursements require a death certificate.

Find more COVID-19 news: cases, vaccinations on our Coronavirus News page

In order to get a certificate, a family needs to have a funeral, she said.

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More Hawaii COVID deaths reported in first 11 days of September than all of August - KHON2