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COVID-19

Staff cases outnumber patient cases at nursing homes

The number of COVID-19 cases at Mahoning Valley nursing homes and assisted-living facilities remained low again this week. But the most recent numbers suggest the reason why President Joe Biden announced Wednesday he is directing nursing homes across the country to require their employees to get vaccinated. In other words, staff COVID-19 cases outnumber patient cases at Valley nursing homes. Biden said he is directing the Department of Health and Human Services to draw up new regulations making employee vaccination a condition for nursing homes to participate in Medicare and ...

Fri. 9:04 a.m.: AP-NORC poll: COVID anxiety up, vaccine requirements favored

DENVER (AP) — Anxiety in the United States over COVID-19 is at its highest level since winter, a new poll shows, as the delta variant rages, more states and school districts adopt mask and vaccination requirements and the nation's hospitals once again fill to capacity. The poll from The ...

Fri. 8:29 a.m.: Hong Kong quarantine exemption for Nicole Kidman draws flak

HONG KONG (AP) — Hong Kong's granting of a quarantine exemption to Hollywood star Nicole Kidman is drawing criticism from lawmakers as the city tightens entry restrictions for international travelers to control the coronavirus. Kidman, who reportedly flew to Hong Kong last week from ...

Thu. 9:06 a.m.: US jobless claims hit a pandemic low as hiring strengthens

WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of people seeking unemployment benefits fell last week for a fourth straight time to a pandemic low, the latest sign that America's job market is rebounding from the pandemic recession as employers boost hiring to meet a surge in consumer demand. The Labor ...

DeWine urges schools to impose mask rules

With the state Legislature removing his autonomy to issue health orders and classes getting ready to start, Gov. Mike DeWine pleaded with school officials to require face masks to protect against COVID-19. “If you are not requiring masks, please think about it again,” DeWine said Tuesday. “At the very least, consider requiring masks for the next few weeks when we know the spread level will be very high. You can always go back to not wearing masks when the spread has reduced. With increasing numbers of new COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, this is the time to take precautions ...