COVID-19

Health

Biden Administration Will Ship COVID-19 Vaccines Directly To Pharmacies

Benjamin Swasey / NPR

The program will begin with about 1 million doses a week sent to thousands of retail pharmacies. The White House is stressing that equity of vaccine distribution is a key component of the effort.
Health

Struggling With Third Wave Of Infections, Japan Extends State Of Emergency

Anthony Kuhn / NPR

Japan is extending the state of emergency for one more month. The move comes despite a mounting toll on the economy and the threat of bumping up against the country's Summer Olympics preparations.
Health

What's Going On With All These Coronavirus Variants? An Illustrated Guide

Michaeleen Doucleff / NPR

One day you're worrying about the regular old coronavirus. Then — seemingly out of the blue — there are variants. Worrisome variants! How did they come to be? And why are they likely more contagious?
Health

Child Psychiatrists Warn That The Pandemic May Be Driving Up Kids' Suicide Risk

Rhitu Chatterjee / NPR

A cluster of suicides in Las Vegas, plus a troubling rise in youth suicide attempts observed in ERs nationwide, is raising fears that the pandemic is fueling a children's mental health crisis.
Health

Russia's Sputnik Vaccine Is Reported To Be 92% Effective Against COVID-19

Bill Chappell / NPR

The findings stand to add legitimacy to the Sputnik vaccine, which was met with skepticism last August when the Russian government touted its move to formally register the world's first vaccine.
Health

COVID-19 Vaccine: Will It Protect Against New Variants And Do You Need A 2nd Dose?

Joanne Silberner / NPR

The spread of new strains raises new questions as two COVID-19 vaccines continue their rollout across the U.S. and another vaccine candidate preps for regulatory review. Here's what you need to know.
Health

Flu Cases, Deaths Down Dramatically In San Diego

Matt Hoffman

San Diego County is little more than halfway through the annual flu season and it has been an unusual one, with sharp declines in cases and deaths from previous years.
Health

San Diego County Reports 1,082 COVID-19 Infections, Fewest In More Than A Month

City News Service

San Diego County public health officials Monday logged 1,082 COVID-19 infections — the fewest new cases in more than a month — and no additional fatalities.
Health

Restaurant, Retail COVID-19 Outbreaks Decreased During Stay-At-Home Order

Jacob Aere

San Diego County data shows a decrease in outbreaks at restaurant, retail and grocery stores during statewide lockdowns.
Health

Moderna Increases COVID-19 Vaccine Shipments While Pfizer Lags Behind

Sydney Lupkin / NPR

The two companies producing COVID-19 vaccines for use in the United States will have to raise production to meet contractual goals of 100 million doses each by the end of March.