Health officials report large increase in COVID deaths
Eight more people on the Big Island have died from COVID-19, the state Department of Health reported Wednesday.
Doctor: ‘The pandemic is not over’
State Epidemiologist Dr. Sarah Kemble has a few messages for the community: If you are sick and diagnosed with COVID-19 you need to isolate; consider keeping your kids masked at school; and get a second booster shot, if you’re eligible, or ensure you are fully vaccinated.
US rules out summer COVID boosters to focus on fall campaign
WASHINGTON — U.S. regulators said Friday they are no longer considering authorizing a second COVID-19 booster shot for all adults under 50 this summer, focusing instead on revamped vaccines for the fall that will target the newest viral subvariants.
New studies bolster theory coronavirus emerged from the wild
Two new studies provide more evidence that the coronavirus pandemic originated in a Wuhan, China market where live animals were sold – further bolstering the theory that the virus emerged in the wild rather than escaping from a Chinese lab.
Doctor: Biden likely has highly contagious COVID-19 strain
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden likely contracted a highly contagious variant of the coronavirus spreading rapidly through the United States, and now has body aches and a sore throat since his positive test, according to an update from his doctor on Saturday.
Biden tests positive for COVID-19, has ‘very mild symptoms’
WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden tested positive for COVID-19 on Thursday and went into isolation with mild symptoms. White House officials went all-out to show that the 79-year-old U.S. leader could power through the virus and keep working because he was vaccinated and boosted.
Officials: Starting Aug. 1, masks are optional for public school students
Masks will be optional for Hawaii public and charter school students starting Aug. 1, according to officials from the state departments of Health and Education.
New coronavirus mutant raises concerns in India and beyond
The quickly changing coronavirus has spawned yet another super contagious omicron mutant that’s worrying scientists as it gains ground in India and pops up in numerous other countries, including the United States.
COVID death toll rises, but cases continue to drop
The death toll of those who died from COVID-19 increased statewide and in Hawaii County this week, in-part due to the omicron variant wave that struck Hawaii earlier this year.
Many won’t rely on virtual options after COVID: AP-NORC poll
WASHINGTON — Many Americans don’t expect to rely on the digital services that became commonplace during the pandemic after COVID-19 subsides, according to a new poll, even as many think it’s a good thing if those options remain available in the future.
For now, wary US treads water with transformed COVID-19
The fast-changing coronavirus has kicked off summer in the U.S. with lots of infections but relatively few deaths compared to its prior incarnations.
COVID cases up almost 18% worldwide as omicron variants run rampant
While vaccinations have greatly cut down on hospitalizations and deaths, COVID-19 cases are on the rise again around the world.
State reports another decline in COVID cases
COVID-19 cases incrementally declined for the fourth consecutive week throughout both the state and Hawaii County.
FDA advisers recommend updating COVID booster shots for fall
At least some U.S. adults may get updated COVID-19 shots this fall, as government advisers voted Tuesday that it’s time to tweak booster doses to better match the most recent virus variants.
Families brace for changes to pandemic-era free school meals
ESSEX, Vt. — Before the pandemic, there was no room in the budget for Kate Murphy’s children to buy lunch at school. She and her husband would buy in bulk and make bag lunches at home. So the free school meals that were made available to students nationwide amid the crisis have brought welcome relief, especially since her husband lost his job last year at a bakery company that closed.
US grapples with whether to modify COVID vaccine for fall
U.S. health authorities are facing a critical decision: whether to offer new COVID-19 booster shots this fall that are modified to better match recent changes of the shape-shifting coronavirus.
US grapples with whether to modify COVID vaccine for fall
U.S. health authorities are facing a critical decision: whether to offer new COVID-19 booster shots this fall that are modified to better match recent changes of the shape-shifting coronavirus.
Army Guard troops risk dismissal as vaccine deadline looms
WASHINGTON — Up to 40,000 Army National Guard soldiers across the country — or about 13% of the force — have not yet gotten the mandated COVID-19 vaccine, and as the deadline for shots looms, at least 14,000 of them have flatly refused and could be forced out of the service.
COVID vaccines saved 20M lives in 1st year, scientists say
Nearly 20 million lives were saved by COVID-19 vaccines during their first year, but even more deaths could have been prevented if international targets for the shots had been reached, researchers reported Thursday.
Vaccinations begin for tots
The rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations for keiki 6 months old through age 4 have officially begun statewide.
