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COVID-19

Study suggests past COVID infection may not fend off omicron

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — South African scientists are warning that reinfections among people who've already battled COVID-19 appear to be more likely with the new omicron variant than with earlier coronavirus mutants. A research group has been tracking reinfections in South Africa and reported a jump with the arrival of omicron that they hadn't seen when two previous variants, including the extra-contagious delta variant, moved through the country. The findings, posted online Thursday, are preliminary and haven't yet undergone scientific review. Nor did the researchers say ...

November sees Ohio cases grow

A surge in COVID-19 cases during the second half of November resulted in Ohio seeing an increase in cases reported that month compared to October. Overall, the 144,890 cases in November is the fifth-highest amount for a month since the March 2020 start of the pandemic. During the first 15 days of November 63,088 cases were reported with 81,802 cases reported in the second half of the month. During the first half of the month, November was on pace in Ohio to have fewer COVID-19 cases than October. October now drops to the month with the sixth-most cases. It averaged about 4,206 ...

YSU seeks vax status of students, employees

YOUNGSTOWN — Youngstown State University is partnering with a company called Med+Proctor to collect the vaccination status of students and employees. “We are partnering with Med+Proctor to securely collect the vaccination status of students and employees. We strongly encourage you to update your status,” the university stated on social media. “Knowing what percentage of our student body and faculty members have been vaccinated against COVID-19 is critically important to remain on campus as it will better enable the university to make the best decisions regarding everyone’s ...

Mon. 11:20 a.m.: Many South Africans ill in surge have mild symptoms

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa's rapid increase in COVID-19 cases attributed to the new omicron variant is resulting in mostly mild symptoms, doctors say. "We've seen a sharp increase in cases for the past 10 days. So far they have mostly been very mild cases, with patients having flu-like symptoms: dry coughs, fever, night sweats, a lot of body pains," said Dr. Unben Pillay, a general practitioner in Gauteng province where 81 percent of the new cases have been reported. "Most of these patients have been treated at home," Pillay told an online press briefing today. "Vaccinated ...

Mon. 9:24 a.m.: Biden pushes shots, not more restrictions as variant spreads

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden will urge Americans to get vaccinated and receive a booster shot as he seeks to quell concerns today over the new COVID-19 variant omicron, but won't immediately push for more restrictions to stop its spread, his chief medical adviser said. Dr. Anthony ...

Mon. 8:52 a.m.: Wary, weary world slams doors shut, fearing omicron variant

BRUSSELS (AP) — Nations around the world sought today to keep the new omicron variant at bay with travel bans and further restrictions, even as it remains unclear what it means for the COVID-19 pandemic. Japan announced it would suspend entry of all foreign visitors, while new cases of the ...