COVID-19

National

Pfizer asks FDA to allow COVID-19 vaccine for kids under 5

Lauren Neergaard and Matthew Perrone / Associated Press

The move could open the way for the very youngest Americans to start receiving shots by early March. The nation’s 19 million children under 5 are the only group not yet eligible for vaccination against the coronavirus.
National

Feds' contract with Pfizer for Paxlovid has some surprises

Sydney Lupkin

NPR has obtained the government's $5.3 billion contract for the first 10 million courses of Paxlovid, an antiviral pill for COVID-19. Here's what's in it.
Local

Scripps Health predicts omicron surge to wind down by early March

City News Service

According to the health system, daily COVID volumes at Scripps' five hospital campuses peaked two weeks ago with 356 admissions, including 62 patients in ICUs.
National

South Africa eases most COVID restrictions, citing high population immunity

Eyder Peralta

Up to 80% of South Africans are either vaccinated or have recovered from an infection The only vestige of COVID-19 rules are masks, which are still required in public spaces and on public transport.
Health

Even if they can find a test, not everyone wants to know they have COVID

Yuki Noguchi

For some people, getting a positive coronavirus test could mean loss of income or other life disruptions. Doctors worry about growing disincentives to test and how this could prolong the pandemic.
International

Third U.S. Olympic bobsledder tests positive for COVID-19 before Beijing Games

Jaclyn Diaz

37-year-old Elana Meyers Taylor, a three-time Olympic medalist, announced on Twitter that she tested positive for COVID-19 two days after arriving in Beijing for the 2022 Olympic Games.
Health

COVID-19 vaccine for young kids could be ready this month

Peter Granitz

Rob Stein

Pfizer-BioNTech filed for emergency use authorization with the Food and Drug Administration for a vaccine regimen for children from six months to five years old.
Local

San Diego County's total COVID-19 cases near 700,000, even as omicron surge declines

City News Service

Monday's data follows 4,218 cases reported Sunday and 5,027 on Saturday and increased the county's cumulative totals to 697,429 cases and 4,686 deaths.
Local

How to use the free N95 masks and rapid tests now available in San Diego

Matt Hoffman

Free hospital quality face masks and rapid at-home tests are becoming widely available in the region, and public health officials say people should take advantage.
Local

Omicron slammed California’s workforce. Was there another way?

Ben Christopher and Grace Gedye / CalMatters

Tighter mask rules and increased vaccination rates could have made a difference, but omicron was going to be a problem no matter what. In response to worker shortages, the Newsom administration has made it easier for schools to hire subs, requested $8 million to address health care staffing issues and more.