COVID-19

Health

The Lambda Variant: What You Should Know And Why Experts Say Not To Panic

Laurel Wamsley / NPR

Cases of the variant have popped up in several states. But neither the WHO nor the CDC considers it a variant of concern, and the fast-spreading delta variant continues to dominate U.S. cases.
Health

Democrats Want To Hold Social Media Companies Responsible For Health Misinformation

Shannon Bond / NPR

Democratic senators have introduced a bill that would hold Facebook, YouTube and other social media companies responsible if they promote harmful health claims on their platforms.
Health

Public Health Experts Call On CDC To Change Its Mask Guidance

Pien Huang / NPR

The agency argues that vaccinated people are safe without masks. But the guidance leaves room for plenty of unvaccinated people to mingle dangerously, and many argue that this is fueling case surges.
KPBS Midday Edition

COVID-19 Cases, Hospitalizations Surge Among Unvaccinated San Diegans

City News Service

A significant increase in COVID-19 cases has prompted San Diego County public health officials Thursday to renew their efforts to get county residents vaccinated from the virus.
Health

China Has Rejected A WHO Plan For Further Investigation Into The Origins Of COVID-19

The Associated Press / NPR

Chinese officials say they cannot support a second phase of a study into the origins of the pandemic, including new investigation into the theory that the virus might have leaked from a Chinese lab.
Health

1st U.S. Athlete Set To Compete In Olympics Tests Positive For Coronavirus In Japan

Merrit Kennedy / NPR

USA Volleyball said an athlete has tested positive for the coronavirus. The case is widely reported to be men's beach volleyball player Taylor Crabb.
Border & Immigration

Despite Canadian Easing, US Extends Land Border Restrictions

The Associated Press

The United States government is extending the closure of the land borders with Canada and Mexico until at least Aug. 21.
Health

Hugs As California Public School Returns To Class In Person

Julie Watson / Associated Press

One of the first public schools in California has opened fully to in-person learning, a major milestone in the state's fight to return to normalcy.
Health

Tokyo Reports Its Highest COVID-19 Numbers Since January As First Olympic Games Start

Bill Chappell / NPR

"There is an urgent need to prepare crisis management systems for hospital care," the the Tokyo Metropolitan Government says.
Health

India's Pandemic Death Toll Estimated At About 4 Million: 10 Times The Official Count

Sushmita Pathak / NPR

That's the number of "excess deaths" from January 2020 to June 2021, reflecting the true toll of COVID-19, say researchers in a new study. What the big disparity?