Tag: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Fully vaccinated people not required to wear masks: CDC

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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In the biggest indication that the United States is fast returning to pre-pandemic life, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said fully vaccinated people are no longer required to wear masks. The recommendation holds true for both indoors and outdoors, the CDC said.

Following the announcement on Thursday, President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris appeared before reporters at the Rose Garden of the White House without wearing masks. ”I think it’s a great milestone. A great day. It’s been made possible by the extraordinary success we’ve had in vaccinating so many Americans so quickly,” Biden said.

Referring to the latest CDC guidelines, Biden said fully vaccinated people are at very, very low risk of contracting COVID-19. Therefore, if you’ve been fully vaccinated, you no longer need to wear a mask. But if you’ve not been vaccinated, or if you’ve been getting a two-shot vaccine and you’ve only had your first shot but not your second, or you haven’t waited the full two weeks after your second shot, you still need to wear a mask,” the President said.

He said 250 million vaccine shots have been given in 114 days. ”We are seeing the results. Cases are down in 49 of 50 states. New York Times has reported that hospitalisations are the lowest they’ve been since April of 2020, over a year ago, right after the start of the pandemic. Deaths are down 80 percent and also at their lowest level since April of 2020,” Biden said.

He said that the virus tragically rages in other countries. ”In less than four months, we’ve gone from 5.5 percent to nearly 60 percent of the adults in America with at least one shot in their arm. We’ve gone from stagnation to an economy that is growing faster than it has in nearly 40 years. We’ve gone from an anemic job creation to a record for job creation for a new administration,” Biden added.

In its latest guidelines, the CDC said fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask or physically distancing, except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules, and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance.

Those travelling within the United States need not get tested before or after travel or self-quarantine after travel. The CDC said the vaccines are effective at preventing the COVID-19 disease, especially severe illness and death. The vaccines reduce the risk of people spreading COVID-19, it said.

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The guidance applies to COVID-19 vaccines currently authorised for emergency use by the US Food and Drug Administration Pfizer-BioNTech, Moderna, and Johnson and Johnson (J&J)/Janssen COVID-19 vaccines. It can also be applied to COVID-19 vaccines that have been authorised for emergency use by the World Health Organization. This includes AstraZeneca/Oxford, the CDC said.

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Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Can fully vaccinated people travel? US CDC says yes

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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In an updated guideline, the US Centers for Disease Control recommended that fully vaccinated people against Covid-19 can travel at low risk to themselves.

Fully vaccinated people can travel within the US, and Covid-19 testing or post-travel self-quarantine are not required as long as they continue to take precautions while travelling – wearing a mask, avoiding crowds, socially distancing, and washing hands frequently, Xinhua news agency quoted the CDC as saying on Friday.

The CDC defined fully vaccinated people as being fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the last recommended dose of vaccine.

For international travel, fully vaccinated people do not need a Covid-19 test prior to travel, unless it is required by the destination, the CDC noted.

Meanwhile, fully vaccinated people do not need to self-quarantine after returning to the US.

Also Read: Properly fitted multilayer masks can reduce particle transmission by 96%

They should still have a negative Covid-19 test before boarding a flight to the US, and a follow-up test three to five days after their return, according to the CDC.

The new guidance means that “fully vaccinated grandparents can fly to visit their healthy grandkids without getting a Covid-19 test, or self-quarantining, provided they follow the other recommended prevention measures”, CDC director Rochelle Walensky said on Friday at a press briefing.

While fully vaccinated people may travel at low risk, Walensky said, “CDC is not recommending travel at this time due to the rising number of cases”.

Recently the trends of the pandemic are changing in the US, as cases have increased during the past 12 days, CDC data show.

The current 7-day moving average of daily new cases stands at around 62,000 cases, an increase of 8.4 per cent compared with the previous 7 days, according to the CDC.

The US is still the worst-hit country with the world’s highest number of cases and deaths at 30,606,649 and 554,069, respectively, according to John Hopkins University.

For live updates on COVID-19, follow our live blog.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

COVID-19 in children: Virus is more dangerous for adolescents compared to younger children, says CDC

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The infection rate among adolescents aged between 12 and 17 years are approximately double that of younger children, according to an analysis released by the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The report, released on Monday, comes in when authorities in India are looking for the best measures to apply ahead of reopening schools.

The study published in the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report analysed 277,284 cases among children between 5 and 17 years of age diagnosed with COVID-19 since March to September. They reported that the average weekly incidence of COVID-19 in teenagers is roughly 37 cases per 100,000 children against 19 cases per 100,000 children between 5 and 12.

The report stated that the underlying conditions were more common among school-aged children with severe outcomes related to COVID-19.

It was already known to the researchers that children aged above 10 years can transmit COVID-19 in school settings. Keeping this report in mind, schools and communities need to monitor multiple indicators of COVID-19 among school-aged children and layer prevention strategies to ensure the virus does not spread.

Some previous studies had also pointed out that most children with COVID-19 have either no symptoms or mild symptoms. But cases of children getting severely ill were also reported.

CDC and partners are investigating a rare, but serious medical condition associated with COVID-19 in children called Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C).

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

COVID-19: US CDC takes down warning on airborne spread of COVID-19

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on Monday it had posted guidance on possible transmission of the new coronavirus through airborne particles in error and it will be updating its recommendations.

“A draft version of proposed changes to these recommendations was posted in error to the agency’s official website,” the CDC said.

The CDC did not immediately respond to Reuters request for comment on when the guidance will be updated.

The now-withdrawn guidance, posted on the agency’s website on Friday, recommended that people use air purifiers to reduce airborne germs indoors to avoid the disease from spreading.

The health agency had said that COVID-19 could spread through airborne particles that can remain suspended in the air and travel beyond six feet.

Presently, the agency’s guidance says the virus mainly spreads from person-to-person through respiratory droplets, which can land in the mouth or nose of people nearby. (https://bit.ly/2EknVZc)

The World Health Organization (WHO) has said it is monitoring “emerging evidence” of possible airborne transmission.

The WHO has not changed its policy on aerosol transmission of the coronavirus, an official said on Monday.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

COVID-19: How to protect pets from getting infected by coronavirus

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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A small number of pets worldwide — including cats and dogs — have been reported to be infected with COVID-19, mostly after coming in close contact with people infected by the deadly virus, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on its official website.

The CDC said, “We are still learning about the virus that causes COVID-19, but it appears that it can spread from people to animals in some situations. Based on the limited information available to date, the risk of animals spreading COVID-19 to people is considered to be low.” However, there is potential risk of SARS CoV2 spreading from pets to humans.

Coronavirus is a family of viruses that can cause illnesses ranging from common cold to diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS).

Animals such as bats, camels and cattle have been known to have contracted the virus. However, certain coronaviruses like canine and feline are known to infect only animals, the CDC has clarified.

Here’s how you can protect your pet from the deadly virus.

What to do if you own pets?

Infected pets may or may not show symptoms. According to reports, most pets who contracted the virus, showed mild illness and made a complete recovery.

“Until we learn more about how this virus affects animals, treat pets as you would any other family member to protect them from a possible infection,” the CDC suggests.

Dos

• Limit your pet’s interaction with people outside the household.
• Walk them on a leash at least 6 feet away from others.
• Avoid taking pets to public gatherings.
• Do not use a masks on a pet; it might harm them.

There is no proven evidence that COVID-19 can spread from pets to humans via skin or fur.

Don’ts

• Do not use chemical disinfectants, alcohol, hydrogen peroxide or other products, such as hand sanitizers or surface cleaners on pets.

“Talk to your veterinarian if your pet falls ill or if you have any concerns about your pet’s health,” CDC pointed out.

Protect pets if you are sick

If you have contracted COVID-19, restrict contact with your pets just as you would with other family members.

“Until we know more about this virus, people with COVID-19 symptoms should avoid contact with pets and other animals,” the CDC said.

“If you must care for your pets while you are sick, then cover your face with a mask and wash your hands before and after you interact with them,” it added.

Stay healthy around animals

Based on the limited information available to date, the risk of pets spreading COVID-19 to humans is considered low. However, because all animals can carry germs that can make people sick, it is always good to practice healthy habits around pets.

• Wash your hands after handling their food, waste or supplies.
• Clean them properly.
• Children below five years of age, older adults and people with a weak immune system are more susceptible to get infected by germs carried by animals.

Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow

Trump administration buries detailed CDC advice on reopening

KV Prasad Jun 13, 2022, 06:35 AM IST (Published)

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The Trump administration shelved a document created by the nation’s top disease investigators with step-by-step advice to local authorities on how and when to reopen restaurants and other public places during the still-raging coronavirus outbreak.

The 17-page report by a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention team, titled “Guidance for Implementing the Opening Up America Again Framework,” was researched and written to help faith leaders, business owners, educators and state and local officials as they begin to reopen.

It was supposed to be published last Friday, but agency scientists were told the guidance “would never see the light of day,” according to a CDC official. The official was not authorized to talk to reporters and spoke to The Associated Press on the condition of anonymity.

The AP obtained a copy from a second federal official who was not authorized to release it. The guidance was described in AP stories last week, prior to the White House decision to shelve it.

The Trump administration has been closely controlling the release of guidance and information during the pandemic spurred by a new coronavirus that scientists are still trying to understand, with the president himself leading freewheeling daily briefings until last week.

Traditionally, it’s been the CDC’s role to give the public and local officials guidance and science-based information during public health crises. During this one, however, the CDC has not had a regular, pandemic-related news briefing in nearly two months. CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield has been a member of the White House coronavirus task force, but largely absent from public appearances.

The dearth of real-time, public information from the nation’s experts has struck many current and former government health officials as dangerous.

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“CDC has always been the public health agency Americans turn to in a time of crisis,” said Dr. Howard Koh, a Harvard professor and former health official in the Obama administration during the H1N1 swine flu pandemic in 2009. “The standard in a crisis is to turn to them for the latest data and latest guidance and the latest press briefing. That has not occurred, and everyone sees that.”

The Trump administration has instead sought to put the onus on states to handle COVID-19 response. This approach to managing the pandemic has been reflected in President Donald Trump’s public statements, from the assertion that he isn’t responsible for the country’s lackluster early testing efforts, to his description last week of the federal government’s role as a “supplier of last resort” for states in need of testing aid.

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A person close to the White House’s coronavirus task force said the CDC documents were never cleared by CDC leadership for public release. The person said White House officials have refrained from offering detailed guidance for how specific sectors should reopen because the virus is affecting various parts of the country differently. The person spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.

Asked Thursday about the CDC report, White House coronavirus adviser Dr. Deborah Birx said: “No one has stopped those guidelines. We’re still in editing.” She told CNN, ”It was more about simplification.”

The reopening guidance was described by one of the federal officials as a touchstone document that was to be used as a blueprint for other groups inside the CDC who are creating the same type of instructional materials for other facilities.

The guidance contained detailed advice for making site-specific decisions related to reopening schools, restaurants, summer camps, churches, day care centers and other institutions. It had been widely shared within the CDC and included detailed “decision trees,” flow charts to be used by local officials to think through different scenarios. One page of the document can be found on the CDC website via search engines, but it did not appear to be linked to any other CDC pages.

Some of the report’s suggestions already appear on federal websites. But the guidance offered specific, tailored recommendations for reopening in one place.

For example, the report suggested restaurants and bars should install sneeze guards at cash registers and avoid having buffets, salad bars and drink stations. Similar tips appear on the CDC’s site and a Food and Drug Administration page.

But the shelved report also said that as restaurants start seating diners again, they should space tables at least 6 feet (1.8 meters) apart and try to use phone app technology to alert a patron when their table is ready to avoid touching and use of buzzers. That’s not on the CDC’s site now.

“States and local health departments do need guidance on a lot of the challenges around the decision to reopen,” said Dr. Marcus Plescia, chief medical officer of the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. “You can say that restaurants can open and you need to follow social distancing guidelines. But restaurants want to know, ‘What does that look like?’”

The White House’s own “Opening Up America Again” guidelines released last month were more vague than the CDC’s unpublished report. They instructed state and local governments to reopen in accordance with federal and local “regulations and guidance” and to monitor employees for symptoms of COVID-19. The White House guidance also included advice developed earlier in the pandemic that remains important like social distancing and encouraging working from home.

At a briefing Wednesday, White House spokeswoman Kayleigh McEnany echoed the administration’s stance that states are most responsible for their own COVID-19 response: “We’ve consulted individually with states, but as I said, it’s (a) governor-led effort. It’s a state-led effort on … which the federal government will consult. And we do so each and every day.”

The CDC is hearing daily from state and county health departments looking for scientifically valid information with which to make informed decisions.

Still, behind the scenes, CDC scientists like those who produced the guidance for “Opening Up America Again? are working to get information to local governments. The agency still employs hundreds of the world’s most respected epidemiologists and doctors, who in times of crisis are looked to for their expertise, said former CDC director Tom Frieden. People have clicked on the CDC’s coronavirus website more than 1.2 billion times.

States that directly reach out to the CDC can tap guidance that’s been prepared but that the White House has not released.

“I don’t think that any state feels that the CDC is deficient. It’s just the process of getting stuff out,” Plescia said.

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Elon Musk forms several ‘X Holdings’ companies to fund potential Twitter buyout

3 Mins Read

Thursday’s filing dispelled some doubts, though Musk still has work to do. He and his advisers will spend the coming days vetting potential investors for the equity portion of his offer, according to people familiar with the matter

KV Prasad Journo follow politics, process in Parliament and US Congress. Former Congressional APSA-Fulbright Fellow