SimplyInfo.org Coronavirus Live Blog 1.4.2022

This is an ongoing weekly update of news headlines, new studies, and data related to the coronavirus outbreak. The newest information is at the top. If you have a question or want to discuss this issue in-depth, we have been discussing this issue in our chat system. Covid blog Information is updated once a week.

Last week’s blog post from 12.28.21 can be found here

We have moved older live blog posts to an archive that can be found in the right-side navigation.
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Vaccine Related Information:

Covax vaccine deliveries surge, with record 300M doses sent out in December
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/01/03/covid-omicron-variant-live-updates/#link-MKAWJ6UTNJGTFGP6M3IEM5NB6E

US regulators approve Covid boosters for children 12 to 15
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/03/fda-us-regulators-covid-omicron-boosters

What Happened to the Novavax Vaccine? — As mRNA vaccines saturate the U.S. market, is there room for another?
https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/exclusives/96461

“FDA Lowers Age Range for Pfizer Booster Shot — Agency also shortens interval
between primary series and boosters for ages 12 and up”
https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19vaccine/96470

India vaccinates more than 4 million children on first day of Covid-19 vaccine rollout
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-01-03-22/index.html

J&J’s booster shot provides strong protection against severe disease from Omicron, a study says.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/30/health/johnson-vaccine-booster-omicron.html

FDA expected to broaden Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine booster eligibility to youths ages 12 to 15 in the coming days, source says
https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/30/health/fda-pfizer-booster-teens/

Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is 92% effective at preventing Covid-19 in ages 12-17, CDC data shows
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-12-30-21/index.html

 

 

Scientific Research & Variants:

Omicron evades immunity better than Delta, Danish study finds
https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/omicron-evades-immunity-better-than-delta-danish-study-finds-2022-01-03/

Covid: Israel Omicron spike could bring herd immunity but with risks – health boss
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-59853772

With no way to identify Omicron and Delta patients, doctors struggle with treatment decisions.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/03/health/doctors-omicron.html

More Evidence Omicron May Be Weaker Than Prior Variants — Data “encouraging” but still “preliminary,” says Fauci https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19/96433

Beyond case counts: What Omicron is teaching us
https://www.statnews.com/2021/12/30/beyond-case-counts-what-omicron-is-teaching-us/

New report on 1.23 million breakthrough symptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infections by vaccine
https://www.news-medical.net/news/20211228/New-report-on-123-million-breakthrough-symptomatic-SARS-CoV-2-infections-by-vaccine.aspx

British scientists are experimenting with higher doses of a drug for severe Covid symptoms.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/12/30/world/omicron-covid-vaccine-tests/british-scientists-are-experimenting-with-higher-doses-of-a-drug-for-severe-covid-symptoms

 

 

Outbreaks & Restrictions:

Younger adults driving coronavirus surge in Southern California
https://www.sfgate.com/news/article/Younger-adults-driving-coronavirus-surge-in-16742173.php?IPID=SFGate-HP-CP-Spotlight

Omicron is already causing closures and reductions of public services
https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/02/health/us-coronavirus-sunday/index.html

Ireland records more Covid-19 cases over holiday period than all of 2020, health department says
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-01-02-22/index.html

At least 5 metro Atlanta school systems move to virtual learning coming out of the holiday break
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-01-02-22/index.html

Puerto Rico Faces Staggering Covid Case Explosion The island had a 4,600 percent increase in
cases in recent weeks after mounting one of the nation’s most successful vaccination campaigns.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/02/us/coronavirus-puerto-rico.html

Coronavirus Australia: Drop in Covid patients on ventilators
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/omicron-delta-create-critical-nursing-shortage/live-coverage/7d802257cb4e484252ca917547a7012f

Record 235 COVID-19 cases reported from U.S. forces in Okinawa
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2022/01/01/national/us-covid-okinawa-record

Ontario closes down schools and shops to operate at 50% capacity
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/jan/03/covid-news-live-4000-more-flights-cancelled-over-omicron-israel-to-offer-fourth-jab-to-over-60s

The US’s largest children’s hospital is reporting a four-fold increase in Covid-19 hospitalizations
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-01-04-22/index.html

Delhi imposes weekend curfew amid rising Omicron cases
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-01-04-22/index.html

Hong Kong tightens vaccine requirements in wake of first Omicron cluster
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-01-04-22/index.html

China locks down city of more than a million people after 3 Covid-19 cases found
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-01-04-22/index.html

Australia’s New South Wales reports record Covid-19 hospitalizations
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-01-04-22/index.html

“U.S. reports over 1 million new daily Covid cases as omicron surges”
https://www.cnbc.com/2022/01/04/us-counts-over-1-million-new-daily-covid-cases-in-global-record-.html

The Philippines orders another wave of lockdowns amid a surge in cases.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/04/world/asia/philippines-manila-covid-lockdown.html

MD: Hogan declares 30-day state of emergency as state enters its ‘most challenging time’ of the pandemic
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2022/01/04/hogan-declares-emergency-coronavirus/

Omicron infections may have plateaued in London, Neil Ferguson says
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/04/omicron-infections-may-have-plateaued-in-london-neil-ferguson-says

Covid-positive nurses work in Australian hospitals due to staffing shortages
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2022/jan/04/covid-live-news-chinese-city-puts-13-million-in-strict-lockdown-over-three-asymptomatic-cases

“How omicron continues to unfold in highly vaccinated San Francisco”
https://www.sfgate.com/coronavirus/article/San-Francisco-omicron-COVID-cases-16745823.php

NY COVID Hospitalizations Top 10K for 1st Time in 20 Months; CDC Puts Omicron at Up to 99% of Cases
https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/coronavirus/ny-covid-hospitalizations-top-10000-for-1st-time-in-20-months-new-cdc-data-puts-omicron-at-up-to-99-of-cases/3478747/

COVID hospitalizations spike dramatically across Southern California
https://ktla.com/news/local-news/covid-hospitalizations-spike-dramatically-across-southern-california/

Hospitalizations in D.C. and Maryland set records as omicron surge continues
https://www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/2021/12/29/hospital-records-dc-maryland-omicron-covid/

6 Georgia health systems seeing 100 to 200% increase in Covid-19 hospitalizations
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-12-30-21/h_8bfeb7b453cb763947277a24af78a4f4

More US states are at or near all-time peak Covid-19 hospitalization levels
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-12-30-21/h_8bfeb7b453cb763947277a24af78a4f4

Britain plans field wards to meet the Omicron surge.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/30/world/europe/uk-nhs-field-hospitals-omicron.html

India reckons with the possibility of a third wave of the virus.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/30/world/india-third-wave-covid.html

China, holding to its ‘zero Covid’ strategy, keeps a city of 13 million locked down.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/30/world/asia/china-xian-lockdown-covid.html

Australia relaxes its isolation rules to adapt to Omicron.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/12/30/world/omicron-covid-vaccine-tests/australia-relaxes-its-isolation-rules-to-adapt-to-omicron

In hard-hit Bergamo, Italy, people rush to get tested as an Omicron wave looms.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/12/29/world/omicron-covid-vaccine-tests/in-hard-hit-bergamo-italy-people-rush-to-get-tested-as-an-omicron-wave-looms

NIH research hospital suspends elective surgery as cases surge
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/12/30/covid-omicron-variant-live-updates/#link-LFTW7DBLHBBZVJWBFLAUYABZGM

“COVID Cases Fill More City Hospital Beds, Threatening Halt on Elective Surgeries”
https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2021/12/covid-cases-fill-more-city-hospital-beds-threatening-halt-on-elective-surgeries.html

England To Open Field Hospitals Amid Spike In Covid Cases – Fuelled by the highly contagious Omicron
variant, daily cases have ballooned, standing at more than 183,000 on Wednesday.
https://www.ndtv.com/world-news/england-to-open-field-hospitals-amid-spike-in-covid-cases-2679724

Daily COVID-19 infections near 1 million as Omicron wave engulfs Europe
https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2021/12/30/euro-d30.html

 

 

All Other Covid News:

UK government’s Covid advisers enduring ‘tidal waves of abuse’
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/dec/31/uk-governments-covid-advisers-enduring-tidal-waves-of-abuse

North Carolina faces a surge, but runs into testing issues.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/01/us/north-carolina-coronavirus-surge-testing.html

A crew outbreak halts a German New Year’s cruise in Lisbon
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/01/01/world/omicron-covid-vaccine-tests/a-crew-outbreak-halts-a-german-new-years-cruise-in-lisbon

Mass Governor: “Eight percent of the population who has not been vaccinated is responsible for
75 percent of all the people that are filling up our Covid beds in the hospital,” he said.
https://www.politico.com/news/2022/01/02/hogan-health-care-covid-maryland-526361

Judge blocks COVID vaccine mandate for Head Start program
https://www.dakotanewsnow.com/2022/01/02/judge-blocks-covid-vaccine-mandate-head-start-program/

‘There is no money left’: Covid crisis leaves Sri Lanka on brink of bankruptcy
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/02/covid-crisis-sri-lanka-bankruptcy-poverty-pandemic-food-prices

Brazil health agency warns against boarding cruise ships amid COVID-19 outbreaks
https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/brazil-health-agency-warns-against-boarding-cruise-ships-amid-covid-19-outbreaks-2022-01-03

France cuts isolation for COVID-positive to 7 days from 10 days
https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/france-cuts-isolation-covid-positive-7-days-10-days-2022-01-01/

Flight cancellations pile up, top 2,500 by Sunday evening
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/01/02/flights-cancellations-after-holidays

When Three Shots Are Not Enough People with compromised immune systems are getting unapproved fourth
or fifth Covid-19 shots, despite uncertainty about their safety or effectiveness.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/03/us/additional-doses-covid-vaccine.html

England will require high school students to be tested before returning to classes.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/01/03/world/omicron-covid-vaccine-tests/england-schools-covid-tests

South Korea’s vaccine passes now have an expiration date
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/01/03/world/omicron-covid-vaccine-tests/south-koreas-vaccine-passes-now-have-an-expiration-date

German health minister’s office vandalized amid hardening anti-lockdown movement
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/01/03/covid-omicron-variant-live-updates/#link-AW2GDVXOZVBSHAXMTQLAHBOP6U

“Life Insurer: Deaths Among Working Age Americans Up 40% Under Covid”
https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2022/01/life-insurer-deaths-among-working-age-americans-up-40-under-covid.html

from: Indiana life insurance CEO says deaths are up 40% among people ages 18-64
https://www.thecentersquare.com/indiana/indiana-life-insurance-ceo-says-deaths-are-up-40-among-people-ages-18-64/article_71473b12-6b1e-11ec-8641-5b2c06725e2c.html

Dec 9, 2021: “Life insurance payouts see highest increase in over 100 years”
https://fortune.com/2021/12/09/life-insurance-payouts-2020-record-high-covid/

The Biden Administration Rejected an October Proposal for “Free Rapid Tests for the Holidays” – With omicron cases spreading like wildfire, the White House is finally taking steps to make free antigen tests available to all. But this fall, Vanity Fair has learned, it dismissed a bold plan to ramp up rapid testing ahead of the holidays. Frustrated experts explain how confusion, distrust, and a single-minded fixation on vaccinating Americans left testing on the back burner for so long. https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2021/12/the-biden-administration-rejected-an-october-proposal-for-free-rapid-tests-for-the-holidays

‘We didn’t reject it:’ Biden denies spurning plan to send out over 700 million rapid COVID-19 tests ahead of holidays
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/we-didn-t-reject-it-biden-denies-spurning-plan-to-send-out-over-700-million-rapid-covid-19-tests-ahead-of-holidays/ar-AASbtTD?ocid=msedgntp

Why doesn’t Biden mail free Covid tests to all Americans?
https://www.theguardian.com › commentisfree › dec

Maine governor questions home delivery of COVID tests, as NH governor touts the tactic
https://www.seacoastonline.com/story/news/state/2021/12/13/maine-gov-janet-mills-questions-covid-test-home-delivery/6488855001/

At least 3,800 frontline workers out on Covid-related leave in Ireland as hospitalizations rise by 43%
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-01-03-22/index.html

The Netherlands will reopen schools next week despite strict lockdown
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-01-03-22/index.html

Chicago Teachers Union is gearing up for a potential walkout as Covid-19 cases surge
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-01-03-22/index.html

Detroit schools closed until Wednesday because of record Covid-19 surge
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-01-03-22/index.html

Los Angeles public school students will need a negative Covid-19 test to return from winter break
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-01-03-22/index.html

Airlines cancel more than 3,000 flights on Monday, a busy holiday travel day.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/03/business/airlines-flight-cancelations.html

Lawmakers and their staffs are urged to work remotely as Covid cases rise at the U.S. Capitol.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/01/03/world/omicron-covid-vaccine-tests/lawmakers-and-their-staffs-are-urged-to-work-remotely-as-covid-cases-rise-at-capitol

A Covid-19 survivor came out of a coma after 65 days. Now she supports vaccinations
https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/03/us/covid-19-survivor-supports-vaccines-trnd/index.html

Students in Spain will return to in-person classes next week
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-01-04-22/index.html

“We can’t vaccinate the planet every six months,” says Covid-19 vaccine creator
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-01-04-22/index.html

Japanese governor slams US military over Omicron spread
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-01-04-22/index.html

Nurses in England call for stricter restrictions amid “extreme and unprecedented workforce absences”
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-01-04-22/index.html

A New York teacher was arrested after injecting a minor with what appeared to be a Covid vaccine.
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/03/nyregion/teacher-injects-student-covid-vaccine.html

The Spanish police investigate hundreds of thousands of stolen or unauthorized Covid tests.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/01/04/world/omicron-covid-vaccine-tests/the-spanish-police-investigate-hundreds-of-thousands-of-stolen-or-unauthorized-covid-tests

“Latest Statistics on Covid-19 Hospitalizations, Fatality Rates, and Speculation”
http://econbrowser.com/archives/2022/01/latest-statistics-on-covid-19-hospitalizations-fatality-rates-and-speculation 

Most notably, the government plans to buy a half-billion at-home COVID test kits and mail them to people who want them, with deliveries beginning in January.
https://www.npr.org/2021/12/21/1066167265/biden-to-announce-free-covid-tests-more-aid-for-hospitals-to-deal-with-omicron

How to obtain free covid tests in the US
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/coronavirus/how-can-you-get-a-free-at-home-covid-test/2702137/

Biden’s coronavirus testing push will need to face the ghost of websites past
https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/01/04/bidens-coronavirus-testing-push-will-need-face-ghost-websites-past/

California Republican dies of covid-19 weeks after protesting vaccine mandates
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2022/01/04/covid-omicron-variant-live-updates/#link-WOXNI4OVY5BHRCDTCEP2FWSOMA

100,000 key workers in England told to take Covid test every working day
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/04/100000-key-workers-in-england-told-to-take-covid-test-every-working-day

My Two Months of Two COVID Variants – In late November, I got a suspected case of Delta. By Christmas,
I had a suspected case of Omicron. My experience may not be so unusual.
https://slate.com/human-interest/2022/01/omicron-vs-delta-variant-covid-reinfection-cases.html

Are We Testing for Omicron Wrong? — South African study suggests nasal swabs aren’t the best way
https://www.medpagetoday.com/infectiousdisease/covid19/96385

Confessions of a ‘human guinea pig’: Why I’m resigning from Moderna vaccine trials
https://www.statnews.com/2022/01/04/confessions-vaccine-guinea-pig-im-resigning-from-moderna-vaccine-trials/

Toxic positivity (rates) on Capitol Hill
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/huddle/2022/01/04/toxic-positivity-rates-on-capitol-hill-495587

What I realized when my toddler got Covid
https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/04/opinions/toddlers-unvaccinated-covid-hossain/index.html

Oregon’s first cases of serious fungal infection Candida auris found in 3 Salem patients
https://www.oregonlive.com/health/2021/12/oregons-first-cases-of-serious-fungal-infection-found-in-three-salem-patients.html 

D.C. Public Schools will require a negative coronavirus test before students, staffers return
https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2021/12/29/covid19-testing-schools-education/

On Slaughterhouse Floor, Fear and Anger Remain Workers say factories are still glossing over
virus safety, as the meatpackers that dominate beef production harvest record profits.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/29/business/meat-factories-covid.html

Biden administration signals pandemic strategy shift in the face of Omicron
https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/30/politics/biden-administration-shifting-covid-guidance/index.html

Airlines cancel more than 1,000 flights on Thursday
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-12-30-21/h_8bfeb7b453cb763947277a24af78a4f4

NYC mayor: No plans to further scale back or cancel New Year’s Eve celebration
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-12-30-21/h_8bfeb7b453cb763947277a24af78a4f4

JetBlue is canceling 1,280 flights through Jan. 13 as Omicron cases surge
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-12-30-21/h_8bfeb7b453cb763947277a24af78a4f4

Spanish police seize 300,000 antigen tests suspected of non-compliance
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-12-30-21/h_8bfeb7b453cb763947277a24af78a4f4

As At-Home Tests Surge, Doubts Rise About Accuracy of Public Covid Counts Most of the
results of rapid tests are not reported. That’s magnifying questions about how best to
measure the spread of the virus.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/30/us/at-home-rapid-covid-tests-cases.html

Pediatrics association: Vast majority of US children admitted to hospitals with Covid-19 are unvaccinated
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-12-30-21/index.html

Paris makes wearing masks outdoors mandatory starting Friday
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-12-30-21/index.html

Study estimates 75% of people experiencing cold symptoms in UK are likely to have Covid-19
https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/omicron-variant-coronavirus-news-12-30-21/index.html

Eric Adams will keep N.Y.C.’s first-in-nation private-sector vaccine mandate in place.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/12/30/world/omicron-covid-vaccine-tests/eric-adams-will-keep-nycs-first-in-nation-private-sector-vaccine-mandate-in-place

The 2022 Westminster Dog Show is postponed over Omicron’s surge.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/29/world/westminster-dog-show-postponed-covid.html

Australia’s Old Parliament House is set on fire following protests by group opposed to mandatory vaccinations
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/12/30/covid-omicron-variant-live-updates/#link-YH3U7AMR7FBMVEOI4WDDJNGMY4

Locked down in China’s Xian, residents subsist on deliveries of vegetables
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/12/30/covid-omicron-variant-live-updates/#link-QHM5F2O2KRHIPIXUYHL3AGCMMI

Michigan maintains 10-day isolation and quarantine period despite CDC change
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/12/30/covid-omicron-variant-live-updates/#link-YTH7HWD3WRDLXNLYQP2T7GWHJM

All The Science You Need To Make Your COVID-19 Decisions – We’re tracking the research so you don’t have to.
https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/covid-19-updates/

Doctor Submits Fluvoxamine EUA Application to FDA — Group of physician-
scientists believes data support authorization for treating COVID-19
https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/exclusives/96431 

Worst COVID Liars Still Have Their Licenses — Only three sanctioned by their boards in recent months
https://www.medpagetoday.com/special-reports/exclusives/96408

Trump fires up vaccine tensions
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/587670-trump-fires-up-vaccine-tensions

 

 

 

 

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