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COVID-19: ‘Arcturus' Now Labeled A 'Variant Of Interest'; Here Are Symptoms COVID-19: ‘Arcturus' Now Labeled A 'Variant Of Interest'; Here Are Symptoms
Covid-19: ‘Arcturus' Now Labeled A 'Variant Of Interest'; Here Are Symptoms A new highly contagious COVID-19 variant that evolved from the Omicron strain has now been labeled "a variant of interest" by the World Health Organization. Arcturus, officially known as XBB.1.16, accounts for 14.6 percent of cases in the US, according to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) variant tracker. After first being detected in New York in January, cases of XBB.1.16 have now been reported in 33 countries, according to the WHO, as well as 31 states in America. The highest number of Arcturus cases in the US have been reported in New York, New Jersey, and…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19 Fraud: Nurse Midwives From Capital Region Doled Out Phony Vaccination Cards, Feds Say COVID-19 Fraud: Nurse Midwives From Capital Region Doled Out Phony Vaccination Cards, Feds Say
Covid-19 Fraud: Nurse Midwives From Capital Region Doled Out Phony Vaccination Cards, Feds Say A pair of nurse midwives from New York is facing federal charges following a nationwide investigation into COVID-19 related fraud. Kelly McDermott, of Albany, and Kathleen Breault, of Cambridge in Washington County, were among five individuals to be charged for their alleged roles in separate schemes that fraudulently distributed more than 2,600 fake COVID-19 vaccination record cards, according to the US Attorney’s Office in the Eastern District. The investigation also uncovered more than $1.7 million in fraud involving the Paycheck Protection Program and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan …

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by Michael Mashburn
News
COVID-19: New ‘Arcturus' Variant Causing Symptom Not Typically Seen COVID-19: New ‘Arcturus' Variant Causing Symptom Not Typically Seen
Covid-19: New ‘Arcturus' Variant Causing Symptom Not Typically Seen A new COVID-19 variant fueling a rise in cases is causing a new symptom that has not been associated with the virus during the three-plus years of the pandemic. The so-called Arcturus strain — officially known as XBB.1.16 — is believed to be one of the most infectious versions of the Omicron variant to date.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) variant tracker, XBB.1.16 United States cases have doubled in the last week. Itchy, red eyes not seen in earlier waves "are symptoms of the new Omicron variant," according to a brand-new report by the Mayo Clinic. …

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: Highly-Infectious 'Arcturus' Variant First Detected In NY Now Identified In 27 States COVID-19: Highly-Infectious 'Arcturus' Variant First Detected In NY Now Identified In 27 States
Covid-19: Highly-Infectious 'Arcturus' Variant First Detected In NY Now Identified In 27 States Click here for a new, updated story - COVID-19: New ‘Arcturus' Variant Causing Symptom Not Typically Seen A new COVID-19 variant first detected in New York in January has now been identified in 27 states. The so-called Arcturus strain — officially known as XBB.1.16 — is believed to be one of the most infectious versions of Omicron to date.  Shortly after the World Health Organization began monitoring the variant in late March, cases had been reported in about two dozen countries. Arcturus has been sparking a surge of cases in India, prompting  Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO’s…

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by Joe Lombardi
Lifestyle
COVID-19: Hudson Valley's Savannah Guthrie Rushes Off TODAY Set After Testing Positive 3rd Time COVID-19: Hudson Valley's Savannah Guthrie Rushes Off TODAY Set After Testing Positive 3rd Time
Covid-19: Hudson Valley's Savannah Guthrie Rushes Off Today Set After Testing Positive 3rd Time Popular TODAY show host Savannah Guthrie had to leave the set early on Tuesday, Feb. 28, after testing positive for COVID-19, according to NBC News. Guthrie, who lives in the Hudson Valley in Dutchess County, took a rapid COVID-19 test while the show was on the air after saying she didn't feel well. She did not appear again after the 7:30 a.m. hour after testing positive for the third time, NBC News said. Co-worker Sheinelle Jones, who was sitting beside Guthrie, gave an update to viewers and said on Twitter: "So, as soon as we found out, she rushed home to rest up. So Savannah, …

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by Kathy Reakes
News
COVID-19: New Study Reveals How Long 'Durable Protection' May Last After Catching Virus COVID-19: New Study Reveals How Long 'Durable Protection' May Last After Catching Virus
Covid-19: New Study Reveals How Long 'Durable Protection' May Last After Catching Virus A past COVID-19 infection provides "durable" but temporary protection against getting severely sick no matter the variant, according to a brand-new study. Researchers from the University of Washington say it's the most comprehensive data compiled so far showing national immunity protection against the virus. The findings were released Thursday, Feb. 16 in the peer-reviewed journal, The Lancet. The research identified and analyzed 65 studies from 19 different countries.  "Our meta-analyses showed that protection from past infection and any symptomatic disease was high for (COVID-19) an…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: Recall Issued For Brand Of Rapid Tests That Could Produce Inaccurate Results COVID-19: Recall Issued For Brand Of Rapid Tests That Could Produce Inaccurate Results
Covid-19: Recall Issued For Brand Of Rapid Tests That Could Produce Inaccurate Results A manufacturer has recalled more than 56,000 COVID-19 rapid tests because they could produce inaccurate results. Universal Meditech Inc. issued the recall for Skippack Medical Lab antigen tests because they were distributed without appropriate clearance or approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The kits were made from October 2021 to December 2021 and distributed in January 2022. The following styles/models have been recalled: Name of Product: Skippack Medical Lab SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Test Kit UDI: None Model: Cassette Products were distributed with “Sk…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: Indoor Mask-Wearing Recommended In 5 NY Counties By CDC COVID-19: Indoor Mask-Wearing Recommended In 5 NY Counties By CDC
Covid-19: Indoor Mask-Wearing Recommended In 5 NY Counties By CDC The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending indoor mask-wearing in five New York counties in its latest COVID-19 data tracker report. The CDC displays counties in orange, yellow, or green on a color-coded map shown in the image above to guide local residents and authorities: Counties shown in orange are where the CDC advises wearing masks indoors.  Counties shown in yellow are places in which those at high risk for severe disease should be cautious. In green counties, indoor masking is not necessary. As of Friday, Jan. 27, these New York counties are in the “o…

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by Joe Lombardi
Schools
COVID-19: Hudson Valley School District Asks Hochul Not To Mandate Vaccine For Students COVID-19: Hudson Valley School District Asks Hochul Not To Mandate Vaccine For Students
Covid-19: Hudson Valley School District Asks Hochul Not To Mandate Vaccine For Students A school district in the Hudson Valley has sent a letter to New York Gov. Kathy Hochul asking her not to mandate the COVID-19 vaccine for public school students.  The letter, sent on Monday, Jan. 23 by the Brewster Central School District's Board of Education in Putnam County, was sent in the wake of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommending that the COVID vaccine be received by all children younger than 18.  School officials also recognized that there may be proposed legislation that would mandate the vaccine for all New York public school students.  "We s…

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by Ben Crnic
Business
Movie Theater To Close In Northern Westchester, Reports Say Movie Theater To Close In Northern Westchester, Reports Say
Movie Theater To Close In Northern Westchester, Reports Say A beloved movie theater in Northern Westchester will soon close along with 38 other Regal Cinemas locations across the nation, according to multiple reports.  The Regal United Artists Theatres at the Cortlandt Town Center, located in Mohegan Lake at 3131 East Main St. (Route 6), is one of the 39 cinemas owned by Regal Cinemas parent company Cineworld that were announced to be closing beginning on Wednesday, Feb. 15, according to reports by CNN and Variety.  The announcement that the theaters would close came four months after Cineworld filed for bankruptcy in September 2022 becaus…

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by Ben Crnic
News
COVID-19: Indoor Mask-Wearing Recommended In 7 NY Counties By CDC COVID-19: Indoor Mask-Wearing Recommended In 7 NY Counties By CDC
Covid-19: Indoor Mask-Wearing Recommended In 7 NY Counties By CDC The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is recommending indoor mask-wearing in seven New York counties in its latest COVID-19 data tracker report. The CDC displays counties in orange, yellow, or green on a color-coded map shown in the image above to guide local residents and authorities: Counties shown in orange are where the CDC advises wearing masks indoors.  Counties shown in yellow are places in which those at high risk for severe disease should be cautious. In green counties, indoor masking is not necessary. As of Friday, Jan. 20, these New York counties are in the “…

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by Joe Lombardi
News
COVID-19: 'Kraken' Subvariant XBB.1.5 Gaining More Ground Nationally, CDC Warns COVID-19: 'Kraken' Subvariant XBB.1.5 Gaining More Ground Nationally, CDC Warns
Covid-19: 'Kraken' Subvariant XBB.1.5 Gaining More Ground Nationally, CDC Warns Omicron strain called XBB.1.5 which accounts for a large majority of COVID-19 cases from the New York tristate area through New England, is gaining more ground nationally. Nicknamed the "Kraken" subvariant, it now makes up 43 percent of cases nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  "XBB.1.5 is the most transmissible form of COVID-19 that we know of to date and may be more likely to infect people who have been vaccinated or already had COVID-19," the CDC said in a statement posted on Twitter on Friday, Jan. 13. According to updated CDC data released …

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by Joe Lombardi