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COVID-19: UConn Announces New Vaccine Requirement For Employees COVID-19: UConn Announces New Vaccine Requirement For Employees
Covid-19: UConn Announces New Vaccine Requirement For Employees The University of Connecticut has announced a new vaccine requirement for its employees. The university announced on Tuesday, Aug. 17 that in addition to its vaccine mandate for students, all employees must show proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Friday, Oct. 15.  This applies to employees at the University of Connecticut and UConn Health. The decision was made due to the rise in cases of the delta variant and as in-person classes are set to begin, the university said.  UConn added that individuals can request a medical or religious exemption or a limited d…

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by Nicole Valinote
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COVID-19: US Expected To Announce Time Frame For All Americans To Get Booster Shots COVID-19: US Expected To Announce Time Frame For All Americans To Get Booster Shots
Covid-19: US Expected To Announce Time Frame For All Americans To Get Booster Shots Federal health officials have outlined their plans for when most Americans should get COVID-19 booster shots after becoming fully vaccinated. Pending authorization from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a plan still being developed would advise Americans to get a COVID-19 booster shot eight months after becoming fully vaccinated to help stave off variants of the virus. Both Pfizer and Moderna, two of the three shots currently being administered in the US, have already submitted initial data to the FDA regarding their booster doses of their COVID-19 vaccines and are awaiting appro…

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by Zak Failla
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COVID-19: Hospitalizations, Infections Rise In CT; New Breakdown By County, Community COVID-19: Hospitalizations, Infections Rise In CT; New Breakdown By County, Community
Covid-19: Hospitalizations, Infections Rise In CT; New Breakdown By County, Community The number of COVID-19 patients being treated in Connecticut hospitals continues to rise as the number of new infections continues to surge due to variants of the virus. The daily positive COVID-19 infection rate of those tested in Connecticut held steady at 3.55 percent over the weekend beginning on Friday, Aug. 13, with 26 new patients being treated statewide as the total rose to 285 as of Monday, Aug. 16.  A week ago, approximately 160 COVID-19 patients were being treated for the virus.  Over the weekend, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said that there were 44,577 new COVID-19 tes…

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by Zak Failla
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COVID-19: FDA Aims To Give Final Approval To Pfizer Vaccine Next Month COVID-19: FDA Aims To Give Final Approval To Pfizer Vaccine Next Month
Covid-19: FDA Aims To Give Final Approval To Pfizer Vaccine Next Month The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is expected to determine whether or not to give full approval of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine as soon as next month. As the Delta variant rapidly rages through the country, causing spikes in new COVID-19 cases, the FDA is reportedly accelerating its timeline to fully approve the Pfizer vaccine, which was the first shot available. Currently, the Pfizer - as well as the Johnson & Johnson and Moderna - vaccines have been given emergency use authorization. Under the current timeline, the FDA hopes to have full approval by Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 6). It…

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by Zak Failla
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COVID-19: CT Now Has Four Counties With Highest Level Of Transmission, According To CDC COVID-19: CT Now Has Four Counties With Highest Level Of Transmission, According To CDC
Covid-19: CT Now Has Four Counties With Highest Level Of Transmission, According To CDC Four counties in Connecticut have now been designated with the “high transmission” category for COVID-19 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). With variants of the virus surging through Connecticut communities, the CDC has added Middlesex County as an area with high COVID-19 transmission, the fourth to be classified under that category. Middlesex joins New Haven, Hartford, and New London counties as those being watched most closely by the CDC. “Substantial” transmission means the county has seen between 50 and 99.99 total new cases per 100,000 persons in the past seven …

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by Zak Failla
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COVID-19: CT Infection Rate Hits 3.5 Percent; New Case Breakdown By County, Community COVID-19: CT Infection Rate Hits 3.5 Percent; New Case Breakdown By County, Community
Covid-19: CT Infection Rate Hits 3.5 Percent; New Case Breakdown By County, Community Variants of the COVID-19 virus continue to cause trouble in Connecticut and across the country as the daily positive infection rate in the state spiked up past 3.5 percent in the latest data released by the Department of Public Health. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said that there were 21,101 new COVID-19 tests administered statewide on Wednesday, Aug. 11, resulting in 742 laboratory-confirmed cases for a 3.52 percent daily positive infection rate, up from 3.15 percent the previous day. The Delta variant of COVID-19 continues to be the dominant strain in Connecticut, now accounting for more t…

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by Zak Failla
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COVID-19: FDA Expected To Authorize Booster Shots For Immunocompromised People COVID-19: FDA Expected To Authorize Booster Shots For Immunocompromised People
Covid-19: FDA Expected To Authorize Booster Shots For Immunocompromised People The US Food and Drug Administration is expected to move forward quickly with authorization of COVID-19 booster shots for some Americans who are immunocompromised, according to reports. Health officials said that the third shot of the current two-dose Pfizer and Moderna vaccine could be authorized within the next 48 hours, though no official timetable has been set as variants of the virus and COVID-19 mutations continue to cause a surge in new cases. Before a vaccine can be used in new ways outside existing authorization it requires new approval from the FDA. Currently, the Moderna, Pfizer…

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by Zak Failla
Schools
COVID-19: Nation's Largest Teachers Union Calls For Educators To Be Required To Get Vaccinated COVID-19: Nation's Largest Teachers Union Calls For Educators To Be Required To Get Vaccinated
Covid-19: Nation's Largest Teachers Union Calls For Educators To Be Required To Get Vaccinated The president of the largest teachers union in the United States has released a statement announcing the association's support for a requirement for educators to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or submit to regular testing. National Education Association President Becky Pringle released the statement on Thursday, Aug. 12, said the union wants students to safely return to the classroom, and more vaccinations will help combat rising cases of the delta variant.  "NEA has said from the beginning that we need to follow the science, and evidence shows that COVID-19 vaccines, combined wi…

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by Nicole Valinote
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COVID-19: CT Infection Rate Back Over 3 Percent, Hospitalizations Increase; New Breakdown COVID-19: CT Infection Rate Back Over 3 Percent, Hospitalizations Increase; New Breakdown
Covid-19: CT Infection Rate Back Over 3 Percent, Hospitalizations Increase; New Breakdown The daily positive COVID-19 infection rate in Connecticut is back above 3 percent for the second time in three days as the Delta variant of the virus continues to rage throughout the state, as the number of patients hospitalized with infections is on the rise. There were 29,007 COVID-19 tests administered in Connecticut on Tuesday, Aug. 10, resulting in 914 newly confirmed positive infections for a 3.15 percent positive infection rate, down slightly, but still up dramatically from earlier in the spring. The Delta variant of COVID-19 continues to be the dominant strain in Connecticut, now ac…

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by Zak Failla
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COVID-19: CDC Issues Strong Endorsement For Vaccines During Pregnancy COVID-19: CDC Issues Strong Endorsement For Vaccines During Pregnancy
Covid-19: CDC Issues Strong Endorsement For Vaccines During Pregnancy The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging pregnant people to get vaccinated against COVID-19 amid the rise in cases of the delta variant in the United States. The CDC released new data regarding the vaccine's safety among pregnant people on Wednesday, Aug. 11, and recommended that everyone ages 12 and older get the vaccine. “CDC encourages all pregnant people or people who are thinking about becoming pregnant and those breastfeeding to get vaccinated to protect themselves from COVID-19,” CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky said. “The vaccines are safe and effective, and …

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by Nicole Valinote
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COVID-19: Third Fairfield County City Issues Mask Mandate COVID-19: Third Fairfield County City Issues Mask Mandate
Covid-19: Third Fairfield County City Issues Mask Mandate A third Fairfield County city has issued a new mask mandate as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to increase due to the Delta variant. Norwalk Mayor Harry Rilling announced Tuesday, Aug. 10, that effective at 12 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 13, the city will require indoor face coverings for all people, regardless of their vaccination status, joining Stamford and Bridgeport in issuing mask mandates. The Mayor’s executive order affects all establishments in Norwalk, such as bars, gyms, restaurants, movie theaters, hardware stores, and supermarkets where physical distancing cannot be m…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
COVID-19: City In Fairfield County Issues New Mask Mandate, Including For Outdoor Gatherings COVID-19: City In Fairfield County Issues New Mask Mandate, Including For Outdoor Gatherings
Covid-19: City In Fairfield County Issues New Mask Mandate, Including For Outdoor Gatherings As the number of COVID-19 cases continues to grow with the Delta variant, a Fairfield county mayor has instituted a new mask mandate. On Tuesday, Aug. 10, Stamford Mayor David Martin says the new mandate, which requires masks in all Stamford buildings, will go into effect on Thursday, Aug. 12 at 8 a.m. In addition, Martin said all outdoor events in the city with 100 or more people will also require masks regardless of vaccination status. “I know this is a bitter pill to swallow,” Martin said. “It is a bitter pill for me as well.” The mayor added he hopes the new mandate will help prevent …

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by Kathy Reakes