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How antibodies in COVID-19 patients could treat coronavirus
The secret to fighting COVID-19 may be in patients who have been recovered. Here’s how antibodies can lead to treatment for those fighting coronavirus.
Just the FAQ, TODAY
US TODAY is watching the news surrounding COVID-19 as some vaccines take part in the US fight against a virus that has killed more than 330,000 Americans since its first fatal death in February. Keep refreshing this page for the latest updates on the distribution of vaccines, including who gets the shots and where, as well as other COVID-19 news from across the US TODAY Network. Sign up for us Coronavirus Watch Newsletter for updates directly in your inbox, join our Facebook group or browse our in-depth answers to questions from the reader for everything you need to know about the coronavirus.
In the headings:
► President Donald Trump on Sunday signed a $ 900 billion aid package to COVID-19, days after calling the dual legislation a ‘disgrace’. The aid package offers up to $ 600 direct control incentives, extends unemployment benefits and provides assistance to small businesses degenerating due to the coronavirus pandemic.
► There is a ‘very intense’ look at a type of coronavirus that is spreading rapidly in Britain, but it is likely that those infected will not get sicker than the virus scientists have started since the outbreak. Dr. Anthony Fauci, who spoke on Sunday about CNN’s “State of the Union,” said the mutation is not resistant to the vaccines currently being distributed. He does endorse the requirement that travelers from Britain undergo a negative COVID test before entering the USA
► New York officials are investigating whether a healthcare provider fraudulently obtained and distributed a COVID-19 vaccine in violation of state guidelines. “Anyone found to have knowingly participated in this scheme will not be held responsible to the full extent of the law,” said the state health commissioner, Dr. Howard Zucker said in a statement Saturday.
► State officials are expected to extend home orders for central and southern California that expire Monday. The expansion will take place as hospitals without ICU beds run out before the expected increase in cases after Christmas. California was the first state to reach 2 million confirmed COVID-19 cases last week.
► Texas Speaker Dennis Bonnen announced on Sunday that he has tested positive for COVID-19. In a Facebook post, Bonnen said he has mild symptoms and will continue to remain in quarantine. His wife also tested positive for the virus.
► The Australian government has banned people from gathering at the ports in Sydney’s city center to watch the New Year’s Eve fireworks in an effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Sydney reported five new cases on Monday, bringing the total to 126 infections since December 126.
📈 Today’s numbers: According to Johns Hopkins University data, the U.S. has more than 19 million cases of coronavirus and 333,000 deaths. The world total: more than 80.7 million cases and 1.76 million deaths.
Here’s a closer look at today’s top stories:
TSA: 1.1 million people flew the day after Christmas despite CDC warnings
More than 1.1 million people traveled through airports in the United States on Saturday and were close to Wednesday’s travel record – despite warnings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to stay home to suppress coronavirus cases.
The Transport Security Administration said it selected 1,128,783 people the day after Christmas. That’s about half the number of travelers screened on the same day in 2019 and just 62,000 fewer than the 1,191,123 screened on December 23 – the most on any day in the U.S. since the pandemic began.
The previous pandemic record was set on the Sunday after Thanksgiving when 1,176,091 travelers were selected. Saturday was the fifth day during the Christmas holiday rush when travel scores numbered 1 million at the top.
– Hannah Yasharoff
California was number 2 among the states where coronavirus spread the fastest per person, a U.S. TODAY Network analysis of Johns Hopkins University data showed.
In the past week, the United States added 1,327,043 cases of coronavirus, down 12.3% from the previous week. Across the country, six states had more cases in the past week than the previous week.
California added 50,141 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, bringing the total to 2,122,806 cases so far. The death toll rose by 237, bringing the total to 24,220.
California Department of Public Health officials said Sunday’s report on new cases was blown up because Los Angeles data was not included in Saturday’s updates due to an error; Sunday’s report contains data from two days of LA County.
– Julie Makinen, Palm Springs Desert Sun, and Mike Stucka, USA TODAY
Kroger Health, a healthcare division of the Kroger Co., said it would deliver coronavirus vaccines nationwide through its pharmacy and clinic locations. The Cincinnati-based national grocery store chain will employ nearly 1,000 people for jobs that include pharmacy technicians and other positions to support operations and the administration of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to a news release from the company.
Kroger did not specify when COVID-19 vaccines would be available, pointing out that there are partnerships with federal and state health departments “to administer the vaccine according to the launch plan,” according to the release.
According to the release, Kroger Health has more than 2,200 pharmacies and 220 clinics in 35 countries. Kroger Health employs approximately 22,000 healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, nurses, dietitians and technicians.
– Chris Mayhew, Cincinnati Enquirer
Contributing Contributions: The Associated Press