Melbourne residents cheer as city lifts 6th COVID-19 lockdown
When Melbourne began lifting COVID-19 restrictions at midnight, its residents were eager to celebrate.
APH holds news conference as CDC backs vaccine boosters expansion
Certain people who received Pfizer vaccinations months ago already are eligible for a booster and now the CDC says specific Moderna and Johnson & Johnson recipients qualify, too.
US unemployment claims fall to 290,000, a new pandemic low
Unemployment claims in the U.S. reached another pandemic low last week, declining to 290,000.
Interferon does not help hospitalized COVID-19 patients, NIH study finds
A recent National Institutes of Health trial published on Monday highlights the failure of a COVID-19 treatment known as interferon beta-1a, a medicine with both antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties.
Putin orders Russians stay off work for a week amid rising COVID-19 infections, deaths
President Vladimir Putin has ordered many of Russia's workers to stay off work for a week starting later this month amid rising coronavirus infection and death numbers.
Gates Foundation to spend $120M on access to Merck’s antiviral COVID-19 pill
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation says it will spend $120 million to boost access to generic versions of drugmaker Merck’s antiviral COVID-19 pill for lower income countries, if the drug gets approved by regulators.
COVID-19 cases soar in Czech Republic; new restrictions imposed
The Czech Republic has been hit by a steep rise in coronavirus infections that have reached levels unseen since late April. In response, the government will require everyone to wear face coverings at workplaces.
CDC to continue recommending masks in all schools, Walensky says
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the CDC, said officials will “continue to recommend masks in all schools for all people in those schools.” The reason: time.
Europe the lone region with rise in weekly COVID-19 cases, WHO says
Coronavirus cases have jumped in Europe for the third consecutive week with about 1.3 million new ones.
California school district tells parents their children must eat lunch in the rain due to COVID
Amid outcry, the district decided to let kids eat a 15-minute lunch indoors if there is 'a heavy downpour'
Southwest Airlines scraps plans to put unvaccinated employees on unpaid leave
Southwest still plans on granting 'valid' requests
Voters to consider $772M Leander ISD bond in November election
The $772.2 million bond includes projects such as new school construction, technology updates and aging school improvements.
Austin ISD begins pooled testing at Ridgetop Elementary School
The new approach could allow Austin ISD to target campuses where students are testing positive more frequently and help slow the spread.
Austin ISD begins pooled testing at Ridgetop Elementary School
According to Austin ISD, pooled testing is a new method where students from the same class put their swabs into one testing vial.
Advocacy group calls for one-time stimulus check for Social Security recipients
Advocates are calling for a one-time $1,400 stimulus check for older Americans, saying that an upcoming Social Security boost may not be enough — and could also do more harm than good.
DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas tests positive for COVID-19
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas tested positive for COVID-19 Tuesday morning despite being fully vaccinated, according to a statement from DHS spokesperson Marsha Espinosa.
COVID-19 boosters: US expected to authorize mix-and-match shots
The FDA is expected to authorize the mixing and matching of COVID-19 booster shots this week in an effort to provide flexibility, the AP reports.
Procter & Gamble combats inflation with price hikes in most categories
Procter & Gamble, like many other companies, has hiked prices on consumers in order to offset rising costs that have occurred due to supply-chain issues and a shortage of materials and labor coming out of the pandemic.
Federal government to ask for taxes on app transactions over $600
The IRS is cracking down on business owners who use apps like Venmo, Zelle and PayPal to conduct transactions, but do not pay taxes on the income. A new rule will allow the federal government to take a closer look at business transactions on these apps when they are more than $600.
Older adults are more susceptible to severe breakthrough COVID-19, studies show
Health officials say older adults are more at risk for severe COVID-19 breakthrough cases due to underlying medical conditions and less robust immune systems.