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COVID-19: CDC Unveils New Strategy Allowing Communities To Ease Masking, Social Distancing COVID-19: CDC Unveils New Strategy Allowing Communities To Ease Masking, Social Distancing
Covid-19: CDC Unveils New Strategy Allowing Communities To Ease Masking, Social Distancing The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its guidance to permit most healthy Americans to ditch their masks indoors, including students. On Friday, Feb. 25, the CDC announced it was altering its metrics that are used to determine which communities can begin lifting their mask mandates with a focus less on positive test results and more on virus-related hospitalization numbers. Previously, the CDC’s prevention guidance for local communities focused on the rate of new COVID-19 cases and the seven-day average positive infection rate; however, as the ongoing fight aga…

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by Zak Failla
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COVID-19: CDC Expected To Greatly Ease Indoor Mask Guidance, Reports Say COVID-19: CDC Expected To Greatly Ease Indoor Mask Guidance, Reports Say
Covid-19: CDC Expected To Greatly Ease Indoor Mask Guidance, Reports Say The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is expected to significantly ease its indoor mask mandate as the country continues its recovery from the latest wave of COVID-19 infections. According to multiple reports, the CDC is expected to announce a change in its guidance regarding masks, allowing most Americans to ditch their facial coverings indoors. The AP first reported the news, citing “two people familiar with the matter.” The new guidance is expected to be announced as soon as Friday, Feb. 25. It marks the first indoor mask guidance change from the CDC since July 2021. …

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by Zak Failla
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Listeria Outbreak Linked To Dole Salads Kills Two, CDC Says Listeria Outbreak Linked To Dole Salads Kills Two, CDC Says
Listeria Outbreak Linked To Dole Salads Kills Two, CDC Says A listeria outbreak connected to Dole packaged salads is being investigated by the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC).  A total of 17 confirmed illnesses in 13 states have been connected to the outbreak, with two deaths being reported.   Packaged salads produced by Dole were sold and are now being recalled under these multiple brands: Ahold Dole HEB Kroger Lidl Little Salad Bar Marketside Naturally Better Nature’s Promise President’s Choice Simply Nature Products include mixed greens, garden salads, Caesar kits, and many other types of salads in bags or clam…

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by Joe Lombardi
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COVID-19: Here's Percentage NY Cases Have Dropped Since First Week Of Month COVID-19: Here's Percentage NY Cases Have Dropped Since First Week Of Month
Covid-19: Here's Percentage NY Cases Have Dropped Since First Week Of Month The COVID-19 numbers in New York continue to show marked improvement as the state distances itself from the post-holiday seasons surge of new infections. After peaking on Friday, Jan. 7, COVID-19 cases in New York have dropped 90 percent, according to the latest update from the Department of Health, which is reporting improved virus-related data across the board. In the past 24 hours, the number of COVID-19 patients being treated for the virus in state hospitals is down by more than 550, and each of New York’s 10 regions has seen its average seven-day positive infection rate drop since the …

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by Zak Failla
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'Widespread' Flu Activity Now Reported In New York: Here Are Counties Most Affected 'Widespread' Flu Activity Now Reported In New York: Here Are Counties Most Affected
'Widespread' Flu Activity Now Reported In New York: Here Are Counties Most Affected With all eyes concentrating on the ongoing COVID-19 crisis with the Omicron variant raging, flu season has quickly and quietly snuck up on New Yorkers, where flu is still being categorized as "widespread." In the latest update from the Department of Health, New York recorded 5,075 cases of influenza out of nearly 100,000 tests that were conducted, marking the “seventh consecutive week that widespread activity has been reported following one week of regional activity.” The latest data represents an 18-percent decrease from the previous update from the New York State Department of Health. A…

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by Zak Failla
Lifestyle
COVID-19: Today Show's Savannah Guthrie Tests Positive After Birthday Party In Hudson Valley COVID-19: Today Show's Savannah Guthrie Tests Positive After Birthday Party In Hudson Valley
Covid-19: Today Show's Savannah Guthrie Tests Positive After Birthday Party In Hudson Valley NBC “Today” show anchor Savannah Guthrie has become the latest on the program to test positive for a breakthrough COVID-19 infection after reportedly attending a birthday party near her home in the Hudson Valley. Guthrie was a guest on her own show this week to share the news via a video connection from her Dutchess County residence that she has a confirmed COVID infection, despite being fully vaccinated and boosted, though her symptoms are reportedly extremely mild. Her announcement came after co-anchor Hoda Kotb tested positive for a breakthrough case last week, and has since come back to…

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by Zak Failla
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COVID-19: CDC Issues New Update On Isolation Guidance COVID-19: CDC Issues New Update On Isolation Guidance
Covid-19: CDC Issues New Update On Isolation Guidance The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated its guidance about who should isolate or quarantine if potentially exposed to someone who tests positive for COVID-19. The CDC had shortened its isolation and quarantine recommendations, while clarifying that the guidance applies to kids as well as adults. Under the new guidance, for people who catch COVID, testing is not required to emerge from five days of isolation instead of 10 days, much to the chagrin of some in the public. Previously, anyone who tested positive was required to isolate for no less than 10 days. The…

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by Zak Failla
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COVID-19: Omicron Surge Will Make It Hard To Keep Everyday Life Operating, Medical Expert Warns COVID-19: Omicron Surge Will Make It Hard To Keep Everyday Life Operating, Medical Expert Warns
Covid-19: Omicron Surge Will Make It Hard To Keep Everyday Life Operating, Medical Expert Warns An infectious disease expert said the growing surge in COVID-19 cases led by the Omicron variant will make it difficult for the United States to keep everyday life operating. Dr. Michael Osterholm, the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, made the comment in an interview with MSNBC on Thursday, Dec. 30. "Over the next three to four weeks we are going to see the number of cases in this country rise so dramatically, that we're going to have a hard time keeping everyday life operating," he said. Osterholm added that the country is s…

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by Nicole Valinote
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COVID-19: Here Are Penalties In Place, Info On Vax Requirements As NY Mask Mandate Takes Effect COVID-19: Here Are Penalties In Place, Info On Vax Requirements As NY Mask Mandate Takes Effect
Covid-19: Here Are Penalties In Place, Info On Vax Requirements As NY Mask Mandate Takes Effect Harsh penalties for those refusing to wear a mask indoors and new vaccine requirements are now in effect in New York as the state fends off new variants of the virus as the number of new cases soars. Beginning on Monday, Dec. 13, masks will be required to be worn in all indoor public places unless businesses or venues implement a vaccine requirement due to the rise in new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations across the state. The new requirements will be in effect through Saturday, Jan. 15, at which point the state will reassess the situation based on the conditions statewide at that time. …

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by Zak Failla
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COVID-19: Hochul Announces 'Major Action' To Address Winter Surge COVID-19: Hochul Announces 'Major Action' To Address Winter Surge
Covid-19: Hochul Announces 'Major Action' To Address Winter Surge With a rise in COVID-19 cases expected to continue during the holiday season, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced major new measures to address a winter surge. Masks will be required to be worn in all indoor public places unless businesses or venues implement a vaccine requirement, Hochul said. The new business and venue requirements extend to both patrons and staff. The measure is effective Monday, Dec. 13, until Saturday, Jan. 15, when the state will re-evaluate based on current conditions.  "I share New Yorkers’ frustration that we are not past this pandemic, but the winter surge …

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by Joe Lombardi
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NY Sees New Increase In Flu Cases: Here Are Counties Most Affected NY Sees New Increase In Flu Cases: Here Are Counties Most Affected
NY Sees New Increase In Flu Cases: Here Are Counties Most Affected With all eyes concentrating on the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, flu season has quietly snuck up on New Yorkers, where flu is being categorized as "widespread."  In the latest update from the Department of Health, New York recorded 1,133 cases of influenza out of more than 46,000 tests that were conducted, marking the “second week that widespread activity has been reported following one week of regional activity.” According to health officials, 47 counties reported cases of influenza, with just one having none. The hardest-hit areas, with more than 10 cases per 100,000 population, are in o…

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by Zak Failla
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Whole Onion Recall Expanded To Include New Products Due To Salmonella Concerns Whole Onion Recall Expanded To Include New Products Due To Salmonella Concerns
Whole Onion Recall Expanded To Include New Products Due To Salmonella Concerns An ongoing recall of whole onions has been expanded as two more produce brands issued alerts due to potential concerns of a salmonella outbreak. Potandon Produce and Alsum Farms Produce Inc. have become the latest to announce a recall of onions that have been linked to an outbreak of salmonella that has left hundreds ill. Earlier story - Salmonella Outbreak Now Linked To Onions, CDC Says The Potandon Produce recall includes Green Giant 3- and 5-pound bags of whole yellow onions and 2-pound bags of whole white onions shipped between Thursday, July 15 and Sunday, Aug. 22. Officials said th…

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by Zak Failla