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COVID-19: NYers Should Order Free At-Home Tests, Officials Say COVID-19: NYers Should Order Free At-Home Tests, Officials Say
Covid-19: NYers Should Order Free At-Home Tests, Officials Say As the season for respiratory illnesses begins, New York health officials are urging residents to take advantage of free COVID-19 test kits being offered by the federal government.  In an announcement on Friday, Oct. 4, the New York State Department of Health advised New Yorkers to order free rapid test kits, which are being offered to US households through the US Postal Service.  Each household can receive four at-home test kits, the government announced on Friday, Sept. 27.  Earlier Report - Covid-19: Free At-Home Tests Are Now Available To Order Online While Supplie…

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by Ben Crnic
News
COVID-19: KP.3.1.1 Strain Now Makes Up About 60 Percent Of US Cases; Here Are Symptoms COVID-19: KP.3.1.1 Strain Now Makes Up About 60 Percent Of US Cases; Here Are Symptoms
Covid-19: KP.3.1.1 Strain Now Makes Up About 60 Percent Of US Cases; Here Are Symptoms A highly contagious COVID-19 variant known as KP.3.1.1 now accounts for nearly 60 percent of infections in the United States. Data from the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that in a two-week period ending Saturday, Sept. 28, the strain made up 58.7 percent of cases nationally, with the KP.2.3 variant second at 9.4 percent. Both KP.3 and KP.2 are offshoots of the highly contagious Omicron variant and are members of a newly identified group of variants known as  “FLiRT.” Neither is causing more serious symptoms than other COVID strains, according to experts.…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: Free At-Home Tests Are Now Available To Order Online While Supplies Last COVID-19: Free At-Home Tests Are Now Available To Order Online While Supplies Last
Covid-19: Free At-Home Tests Are Now Available To Order Online While Supplies Last Free rapid tests for COVID-19 are now available to order online. As of Friday, Sept. 27, every American household may order four nasal swab tests through the Department of Health and Human Services program by visiting covid.gov/tests or covidtests.gov while supplies last. After orders are placed, a confirmation email will be sent to the household, with free shipping scheduled to start the week of Monday, Sept. 30, and email delivery updates available if requested. New COVID booster vaccines that became available at the start of September have been updated with a formula…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
NY Resident Dies From Rare Mosquito Virus With No Vaccine: 'Imminent Threat To Public' Declared NY Resident Dies From Rare Mosquito Virus With No Vaccine: 'Imminent Threat To Public' Declared
NY Resident Dies From Rare Mosquito Virus With No Vaccine: 'Imminent Threat To Public' Declared A New York resident has died days after contracting the state’s first human case of a rare but serious mosquito-borne virus in nearly a decade. The Ulster County resident died from complications stemming from eastern equine encephalitis (EEE), Gov. Kathy Hochul’s office confirmed on Monday, Sept. 23. It marks the first human case of EEE in New York State since 2015. Earlier Report: Human Case Of Severe Mosquito-Borne Virus Confirmed In Ulster County, First In NY Since 2015 “We’ve been informed this patient has passed away from EEE, we extend our sympathies and our hearts go out t…

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by Michael Mashburn
News
COVID-19: NY Hospitalizations Well Above Same Period Last Year Amid Increase In Virus Activity COVID-19: NY Hospitalizations Well Above Same Period Last Year Amid Increase In Virus Activity
Covid-19: NY Hospitalizations Well Above Same Period Last Year Amid Increase In Virus Activity As new highly contagious COVID-19 variants emerge, authorities are reporting that statewide hospitalizations in New York have significantly increased compared to the same period last summer. With social gatherings increasing during the summer months and high temperatures forcing people indoors, New York Gov. Kathy Hocul stated on Saturday, July 6, that New Yorkers should get tested if they have symptoms.  In addition, they should also follow the usual precautions, including current CDC guidance, stay current with COVID vaccines, and seek appropriate treatments if necessary. “While we …

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: New Variant With 30 Mutations May Cause Breakthrough Infections, CDC Warns COVID-19: New Variant With 30 Mutations May Cause Breakthrough Infections, CDC Warns
Covid-19: New Variant With 30 Mutations May Cause Breakthrough Infections, CDC Warns A newly identified COVID-19 strain with around 30 mutations may cause breakthrough infections, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The BA.2.86 strain, now known as Pirola, has been identified in three states: Michigan, Virginia, and Ohio. The Michigan case, the first in the US, was an older woman who had recently returned from Japan. "BA.2.86 may be more capable of causing infection in people who have previously had COVID-19 or who have received COVID-19 vaccines," the CDC said in a Risk Assessment Summary. "Scientists are evaluating the effectiveness of the f…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
Winter Is Coming: Flu Cases Rapidly Rising Nationwide Just One Month Into Fall Season Winter Is Coming: Flu Cases Rapidly Rising Nationwide Just One Month Into Fall Season
Winter Is Coming: Flu Cases Rapidly Rising Nationwide Just One Month Into Fall Season Flu cases are soaring nationwide just a month into the fall season, and health officials are sounding the alarm now that it could be a dangerous winter. Some are citing the end of many of the COVID-19 pandemic precautions that have been in effect for two-plus years as a possible cause. "Early increases in seasonal influenza activity have been reported in most of the United States, with the southeast and south-central areas of the country reporting the highest levels of activity," the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said. In the Northeast, New York is already reporting…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
NY Declares Monkeypox 'Imminent Threat To Public Health' Amid New Rise In Cases NY Declares Monkeypox 'Imminent Threat To Public Health' Amid New Rise In Cases
NY Declares Monkeypox 'Imminent Threat To Public Health' Amid New Rise In Cases Amid a new increase in cases in New York, the state's health commissioner has declared the monkeypox virus "an imminent threat to public health." "Based on the ongoing spread of this virus, which has increased rapidly and affected primarily communities that identify as men who have sex with men, and the need for local jurisdictions to administer vaccines, I've declared monkeypox an Imminent Threat to Public Health throughout New York State," State Commissioner of Health Dr. Mary T. Bassett said.  The dedication means local health departments will be able to access additional state reim…

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by Kathy Reakes
News
US Releasing Monkeypox Vaccine From National Stockpile For This Group Of Americans US Releasing Monkeypox Vaccine From National Stockpile For This Group Of Americans
US Releasing Monkeypox Vaccine From National Stockpile For This Group Of Americans With the monkeypox virus making its way to the US, officials announced that they will be releasing previously approved vaccines from the national stockpile to help curtail any spread of the disease. There has been one confirmed case of monkeypox in Massachusetts, with several others suspected in the US, which prompted federal health officials to release the vaccine to “high-risk” people. Earlier story - CDC Issues Health Advisory Amid Ongoing Investigation Into Monkeypox In US According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Jynneos vaccine is being released to potent…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: 'Many Variants Are Coming,' Pfizer CEO Warns, Saying Fourth Shot Will Be Needed COVID-19: 'Many Variants Are Coming,' Pfizer CEO Warns, Saying Fourth Shot Will Be Needed
Covid-19: 'Many Variants Are Coming,' Pfizer CEO Warns, Saying Fourth Shot Will Be Needed Warning that "many variants are coming," the chairman and chief executive officer of Pfizer says a fourth dose of the COVID-19 -- a second booster shot -- will be needed. Appearing on CBS-TV's "Face the Nation" on Sunday, March 13, Dr. Albert Bourla was asked if a COVID booster shot could become recommended each fall - similar to a flu shot. "I think so," Bourla responded. "And I think this is what we are trying now to make." Bourla said Pfizer is trying "very diligently to stay ahead of the virus" because "many variants are coming and Omicron was the first one that was able to evade in a …

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: FDA Changes Course On Vaccine Authorization For Kids Under 5 COVID-19: FDA Changes Course On Vaccine Authorization For Kids Under 5
Covid-19: FDA Changes Course On Vaccine Authorization For Kids Under 5 Federal health officials delayed a planned public meeting to review Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine for children under five. Citing the need to see more data as part of its rolling application process, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced on Friday, Feb. 11 that it would be delaying the planned meeting, raising questions about how soon children should get the COVID-19 shot. The FDA’s outside experts had been set to meet on Tuesday, Feb. 15 to discuss if children under the age of 5 could safely receive a low dose of the vaccine safely. Pfizer said on Friday that it will be waiting fo…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Pfizer Asks FDA For Emergency Use Authorization Of Vaccine For Children Under 5 COVID-19: Pfizer Asks FDA For Emergency Use Authorization Of Vaccine For Children Under 5
Covid-19: Pfizer Asks FDA For Emergency Use Authorization Of Vaccine For Children Under 5 New York-based Pfizer and its European partner BioNTech has requested that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) expand the use of its COVID-19 vaccine to include children between the ages of 6 months and 5 years old, officials announced. On Tuesday, Feb. 1, citing a host of clinical trials, the pharmaceutical company announced it is seeking emergency use authorization (EUA) to admit the vaccine to a wider range of children. Currently, the vaccine is only approved for children 5 years old and older. Pfizer said that it plans to complete its EUA submission “in the coming days,” and has alre…

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by Zak Failla
News
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
News
COVID-19: Dozens Of NY Hospitals Halt Elective Surgeries COVID-19: Dozens Of NY Hospitals Halt Elective Surgeries
Covid-19: Dozens Of NY Hospitals Halt Elective Surgeries New York State officials have ordered dozens of hospitals experiencing lower bed capacity to temporarily halt elective surgeries in an effort to free up space amid the winter surge in COVID-19 cases. The state Department of Health ordered 40 hospitals to stop surgeries that aren't essential or urgent for at least two weeks, according to ABC 7. Most of the facilities are located in the western and central regions of the state, and the complete list of hospitals can be viewed here. The news comes as cases continue to increase across New York. In a daily update posted on Saturday, Jan. …

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by Nicole Valinote
Politics
COVID-19: Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren Tests Positive COVID-19: Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren Tests Positive
Covid-19: Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren Tests Positive Sen. Elizabeth Warren announced that she has tested positive for COVID-19. The 72-year-old Massachusetts Democrat said in a tweet that she received her positive test result on Sunday, Dec. 19 after testing negative earlier last week. I regularly test for COVID & while I tested negative earlier this week, today I tested positive with a breakthrough case. Thankfully, I am only experiencing mild symptoms & am grateful for the protection provided against serious illness that comes from being vaccinated & boosted. — Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) December 19, 2021 Warren said she…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
COVID-19: First Omicron Cases Identified In Nassau County COVID-19: First Omicron Cases Identified In Nassau County
Covid-19: First Omicron Cases Identified In Nassau County The first cases of the Omicron COVID-19 variant that has been spreading across New York have been identified in Nassau County on Long Island. Over the weekend, the number of Omicron cases on Long Island rose to six, as two cases of the variant were reported in Nassau to join the four in Suffolk County. The Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus remains the dominant strain in the US, accounting for approximately 99 percent of all new cases, though nearly half of the states in the country have reported cases of the Omicron variant. In Suffolk, there have now been a total of 267,652 confirmed CO…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Fourth Shot May Eventually Be Needed, Pfizer Says COVID-19: Fourth Shot May Eventually Be Needed, Pfizer Says
Covid-19: Fourth Shot May Eventually Be Needed, Pfizer Says The CEO of Pfizer said in an interview that he believes a fourth COVID-19 vaccine dose will eventually be needed.  Albert Bourla said on CNBC that real-world data will help determine how well three doses of the vaccine protect against the Omicron variant and how long protection lasts. "And the second point, I think we will need the fourth dose," Bourla told CNBC on Wednesday, Dec. 8. "I’ve said that multiple times. With the previous, I was projecting that that will be on 12 months after the third dose. With Omicron, we need to wait and see because we have very little informat…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
COVID-19: First Findings Released On Vaccine Effectiveness Against Omicron Variant COVID-19: First Findings Released On Vaccine Effectiveness Against Omicron Variant
Covid-19: First Findings Released On Vaccine Effectiveness Against Omicron Variant The first findings on the effectiveness of vaccines against the COVID-19 Omicron variant have been released. Pfizer and its European partner BioNTech said that a booster shot offers significant protection against Omicron and "neutralizes" the strain. Two vaccine doses "show significantly reduced neutralization titers" but could protect against severe disease from COVID, the companies said. The findings come from an initial laboratory study. According to the companies’ preliminary data, "a third dose provides a similar level of neutralizing antibodies to Omicron as is observ…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: Second Case Of Omicron Variant Identified In CT COVID-19: Second Case Of Omicron Variant Identified In CT
Covid-19: Second Case Of Omicron Variant Identified In CT The Connecticut Department of Public Health has confirmed a second case of the COVID-19 Omicron variant. Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont announced on Tuesday, Dec. 7 that the second case of the more-transmissible variant has been identified in the state, with sequencing performed by the Yale School of Public Health. Earlier story - COVID-19: Half Of Group Who Attended NYC Convention With Omicron-Infected Man Now Have Virus According to the Department of Health, the man who contracted the Omicron variant is in his 20s from Fairfield County and began developing mild symptoms on Thursday, De…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Man Who Went To NY Conference Tests Positive For Omicron Variant COVID-19: Man Who Went To NY Conference Tests Positive For Omicron Variant
Covid-19: Man Who Went To NY Conference Tests Positive For Omicron Variant A day after the first case of the new COVID-19 variant was identified in the United States, it has been announced that a man from the Midwest who attended a conference in New York City has tested positive for the Omicron COVID-19 strain. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced on Thursday, Dec. 2 that the Department of Health in Minnesota alerted her that a constituent tested positive for the variant after spending time at the conference held at the Javits Center in Manhattan. Earlier story - COVID-19: First Case Of New Omicron Variant Identified In United States Hochul noted that the pe…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Pfizer CEO Says New Vaccine May Be Needed For Omicron, Anti-Viral Pills Are Effective COVID-19: Pfizer CEO Says New Vaccine May Be Needed For Omicron, Anti-Viral Pills Are Effective
Covid-19: Pfizer CEO Says New Vaccine May Be Needed For Omicron, Anti-Viral Pills Are Effective Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said that his company is preparing to tackle new COVID-19 variants, and that he expects the company’s treatment pill will be effective in helping avoid severe illness or possibly death if one get infected. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Omicron poses a “very high” global risk, with the likelihood it is more transmissible than previous strains. The new variant has nearly three dozen mutations that reportedly decrease antibody protection. WHO described Omicron as a “highly divergent variant with a high number of mutations ... some of which are conce…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Number Of New Long Island Cases Climbs Again; Latest Breakdown By Community COVID-19: Number Of New Long Island Cases Climbs Again; Latest Breakdown By Community
Covid-19: Number Of New Long Island Cases Climbs Again; Latest Breakdown By Community Long Island reported more than 340 new COVID-19 infections in both Nassau and Suffolk counties as the region continues to see a rise in its positive test rate that has lasted for weeks. The average seven-day positive COVID-19 infection rate of Long Islanders tested for the virus climbed to 2.88 percent on Thursday, Nov. 11, up from 2.73 percent the day before and 2.62 percent on Tuesday, Nov. 9.  Statewide, the positive infection rate also continues to rise, from 2.78 percent up to 3 percent for the first time in weeks during the same time frame. In Suffolk, 468 new COVID-19 infection…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Pfizer Expected To Seek Approval For Boosters For All Adults COVID-19: Pfizer Expected To Seek Approval For Boosters For All Adults
Covid-19: Pfizer Expected To Seek Approval For Boosters For All Adults Pfizer and European partner BioNTech are expected to seek federal authorization to administer its COVID-19 booster shot to all Americans over the age of 18. As soon as this week, the biopharmaceutical company is reportedly planning to seek US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval for booster shots for anyone 18 and older. Currently, only Americans 65 and older, those who are immunocompromised and anyone whose job puts them at a larger risk for exposure are eligible for Pfizer booster shots. The FDA is considered likely to grant the request, potentially before Thanksgiving and the hol…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: FDA Advisory Committee Recommends Vaccines For Kids Ages 5 To 11 COVID-19: FDA Advisory Committee Recommends Vaccines For Kids Ages 5 To 11
Covid-19: FDA Advisory Committee Recommends Vaccines For Kids Ages 5 To 11 A Food and Drug Administration vaccine advisory panel has voted to recommend Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5 to 11. The endorsement of Pfizer's lower dose vaccine for younger kids was announced on Tuesday, Oct. 26, and it will be considered for authorization by the FDA next. CNBC reported that 17 members of the committee voted to endorse the vaccine, and one person declined to vote. A decision by the FDA could be made within the next few days, CNBC said.  An advisory group with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is scheduled to meet next week to d…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
COVID-19: Pfizer Asks FDA To Approve Vaccine For Children Ages 5 To 11 COVID-19: Pfizer Asks FDA To Approve Vaccine For Children Ages 5 To 11
Covid-19: Pfizer Asks FDA To Approve Vaccine For Children Ages 5 To 11 Pfizer has officially asked the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use authorization for its COVID-19 vaccine to be administered to children between the ages of 5 and 11. With parents and politicians alike agreeing that keeping children learning in the classroom after a lost year in 2020, Pfizer is pushing to allow its vaccine to be administered among younger Americans. Pfizer tweeted this week that the company had submitted their formal request for Emergency Use Authorization of the vaccine to the FDA. "With new cases in children in the U.S. continuing to be at a high lev…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Johnson & Johnson To Seek Authorization For Booster Shot COVID-19: Johnson & Johnson To Seek Authorization For Booster Shot
Covid-19: Johnson & Johnson To Seek Authorization For Booster Shot Johnson & Johnson is seeking federal approval for its COVID-19 booster shots, which could make it the latest to be authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). On Monday, Oct. 4, a spokesperson for the pharmaceutical company announced that they were looking to gain approval to begin administering booster shots for its one-dose vaccine. Last month, regulators authorized a booster shot for some recipients of the Pfizer vaccine and are considering authorization this month for recipients of the Moderna vaccine. In total, according to reports, more than 15 million Am…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Nearly 6K Daily Cases, 34 New Deaths Reported In New York COVID-19: Nearly 6K Daily Cases, 34 New Deaths Reported In New York
Covid-19: Nearly 6K Daily Cases, 34 New Deaths Reported In New York New York State has reported thousands of new COVID-19 cases and more than 30 new deaths. On Sunday, Sept. 12, another 5,768 COVID-19 cases were reported in the state, according to an update from Gov. Kathy Hochul. Thirty-four more deaths from COVID-19 were also reported in the state's update on Saturday. A total of 203,374 tests were reported in Sunday's update, bringing the state's test positivity rate to 2.84 percent. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), all of New York's counties had high community transmission of COVID-19 between Sunday, Sept 5 …

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by Nicole Valinote
News
COVID-19: Highly Contagious New Virus Strain Could Evade Vaccines, Study Says COVID-19: Highly Contagious New Virus Strain Could Evade Vaccines, Study Says
Covid-19: Highly Contagious New Virus Strain Could Evade Vaccines, Study Says A new variant of COVID-19 might be more transmissible, and it may evade some protection from vaccines, according to a new study. Business Standard reported that researchers in South Africa said the variant was discovered in May.  Since then, the variant, C.1.2, has been reported in China, New Zealand, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and several other countries, the news outlet reported. The researchers reportedly found that the new variant has a mutation rate about twice as fast as that of other COVID-19 variants, and it could evade the antibodies people have developed…

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by Nicole Valinote
News
COVID-19: Long Island Positive-Test Rate Increases Again; Latest Community Breakdown COVID-19: Long Island Positive-Test Rate Increases Again; Latest Community Breakdown
Covid-19: Long Island Positive-Test Rate Increases Again; Latest Community Breakdown After seeing a slight reprieve earlier in the month, Long Island has seen the positive COVID-19 infection rate rise for the fourth straight day as it continues to hover above 4 percent. On Long Island, the seven-day average COVID-19 infection rate is up to 4.38 of those tested on Monday, Aug. 30, according to the latest update from the state Department of Health, well above the statewide average of 3.35 percent.  In Nassau, there were 311 newly confirmed COVID-19 cases, bringing the total to 198,481 since the pandemic began in March 2020, while there were 382 in Suffolk as the cumulati…

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Unvaccinated Are More Than Twice As Likely To Get Virus A Second Time, CDC Says COVID-19: Unvaccinated Are More Than Twice As Likely To Get Virus A Second Time, CDC Says
Covid-19: Unvaccinated Are More Than Twice As Likely To Get Virus A Second Time, CDC Says A new study by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that COVID-19 vaccines offer better and more protection against reinfection of the virus than just natural immunity among those who already have been infected. On Friday, Aug. 6, the CDC released the findings of a new study of nearly 1,000 Americans who previously tested positive for COVID-19 but remained unvaccinated. According to the study, those who were unvaccinated proved to be more than twice as likely to become infected for a second time than those who were fully vaccinated against the virus. Researchers …

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by Zak Failla
News
COVID-19: Long Island Sees New Infection-Rate Increase; New Breakdown By Community COVID-19: Long Island Sees New Infection-Rate Increase; New Breakdown By Community
Covid-19: Long Island Sees New Infection-Rate Increase; New Breakdown By Community Some of New York's 10 regions are showing some signs of improving COVID-19 numbers, though Long Island isn't one of them as the number of new infections continues to rise due to variants of the virus. According to the Department of Health, the two-week surge of new cases of Long Island continued, with the infection rate jumping to 3.37 percent of those tested, up from under 3 percent as recently as Saturday, July 31.  The infection rate is the second-highest of the state's 10 regions. Statewide, the positive infection rate jumped from 2.46 percent to 2.74 percent in that same time fra…

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by Zak Failla