Category: Corona Virus Vaccine

Kinsa already is working with Colorado, Connecticut, Oregon and Idaho, which are purchasing and distributing additional thermometers. Programs in California and Louisiana are being funded with private money. The company also is working with several cities. Kinsa has had discussions with Douglas County officials, but no agreement has been reached.

Linda Munderloh, school nurse for the Bancroft-Rosalie school district, sees a more immediate use for the thermometers.

Bancroft-Rosalie, which has returned to in-person classes, is asking families to take students temperatures every morning and evening. School staff also are taking students temperatures in the morning.

Once the new devices arrive, the district will send them home with the eldest child in each family. Munderloh and some parents already are familiar with the devices, because the school district earlier served as a pilot site for Kinsa.

In the past, shes been surprised how many parents havent had a working thermometer in the home. During the pandemic, the devices have been hard to come by at times.

So this is a huge plus for us, she said.

The school gets updates again, no names that allow her to check in with a teacher if the system indicates, say, that a sixth-grader has a fever.

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Nebraskans to use app-connected thermometers to help predict COVID-19 outbreaks - Omaha World-Herald

Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today announced the lowest COVID-19 infection rate in New York State0.65 percentsince the pandemic began. New York State's infection rate has been less than 1 percent every day for three weeks. The governor also announced that 8 million tests have now been conducted in the state. Governor Cuomo also updated New Yorkers on the state's progress during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The number of new cases, percentage of tests that were positive and many other helpful data points are always available at forward.ny.gov.

"Fighting COVID-19 requires enormous bravery and discipline from New Yorkers and I thank them for today's new record-low infection rate. This is evidence that what each of us does to slow the spreadwearing masks, socially distancing and washing handsmakes a real difference," Governor Cuomo said. "We're continuing to expand our ability to test and contact trace as we pursue a phased, data-driven reopening, and that's why we've reached 8 million tests conducted in the state. Yesterday's data also shows that we aren't necessarily finding more positives with more testing, which is a good new development. We aren't out of the woods yet, so keep it up, be safe and stay New York Tough."

Governor Cuomo also reminded residents of Western New York that rapid testing begins at eight sites there tomorrow. Residents can call 833-NYSTRNG to make an appointment. Yesterday, the governor deployed a testing SWAT team to Western New York to address the recent uptick in COVID-19 cases in the region. He also announced the eight sites, which can be found here:

Delavan-Grider Community Center

877 E. Delavan Ave.

Buffalo, NY 14215

True Bethel Baptist Church

907 E. Ferry St.

Buffalo, NY 14211

Northwest Buffalo Community Center

155 Lawn Ave.

Buffalo, NY 14207

Dunkirk Fire Murphy Training Grounds

665 Brigham Road

Dunkirk, NY 14048

SUNY ECC North

6205 Main St.

Williamsville, NY 14221

Union Fire Company

1845 Union Road

West Seneca, NY 14224

John A. Duke Senior Center

1201 Hyde Park Blvd.

Niagara Falls, NY 14301

YWCA of the Niagara Frontier

32 Cottage St.

Lockport, NY 14094

Yesterday, the State Liquor Authority and State Police Task Force visited 1,322 establishments in New York City and Long Island and observed 9 establishments that were not in compliance with state requirements. A county breakdown of yesterday's observed violations is below:

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

Of the 97,826 test results reported to New York State yesterday, 636, or 0.65 percent, were positive. Each region's percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows:

REGION

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

Capital Region

0.5%

1.1%

0.5%

CentralNew York

0.6%

1.4%

0.8%

Finger Lakes

0.5%

0.6%

0.3%

Long Island

0.9%

0.6%

0.5%

Mid-Hudson

0.9%

1.2%

0.9%

Mohawk Valley

0.2%

0.4%

0.1%

New York City

0.9%

0.9%

0.6%

North Country

0.6%

1.2%

0.8%

Southern Tier

0.3%

0.3%

0.5%

WesternNew York

1.4%

2.0%

1.2%

The Governor also confirmed 636 additional cases of novel coronavirus, bringing the statewide total to 432,767 confirmed cases in New York State. Of the 432,767 total individuals who tested positive for the virus, the geographic breakdown is as follows:

County

Total Positive

New Positive

Albany

2,746

10

Allegany

87

0

Broome

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Governor Cuomo Announces New Record-Low COVID-19 Infection Rate and 8 Million Tests Conducted In New York State - ny.gov

Last year, only four companies were making vaccines for the U.S. market, down from more than 20 in the 1970s. As recently as Feb. 11, Anthony Fauci, the governments top infectious-disease expert, complained that no major drug company had committed to step up to make a coronavirus vaccine, calling the situation very difficult and frustrating.

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Rather than give away its COVID-19 vaccine, Oxford makes a deal with drugmaker - The Philadelphia Inquirer

Restoring this must be a first priority, but it has to be done safely; in-person staff must ensure that they protect their clients from Covid-19 infection.

While there has been emerging guidance on the safe care and support of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities, it's still evolving and hasn't reached all the places where it's "desperately needed." The authors also wrote that it's not always presented in a way that can be fully understood by the people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

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Covid-19 has disproportionately impacted those living with developmental disabilities - CNN

(CNN) Turquoise waters, beaches of golden sand, dolphins swimming lazily offshore. The Fernando de Noronha archipelago off the coast of Brazil is one of the most beautiful destinations anywhere in the world

And now it's open to travelers again -- but with an unexpected catch. You can go only if you show you have had Covid-19.

"To land on the archipelago, the tourist will need to present the result of a positive PCR test that is at least 20 days old, or the result of the serological test showing the presence of antibodies against Covid," its administrator, Guilherme Rocha, told a news conference on Thursday.

During the news conference, Rocha didn't explicitly explain why Brazil would accept only tourists to the islands that had already had the disease.

A PCR test shows whether someone has the virus; the serological test shows whether the body has already developed antibodies for coronavirus.

Fernando de Noronha, a group of 21 volcanic islands, has been closed to tourists since mid-March because of the pandemic. On July 31, it was reopened just for people with homes there and local researchers.

The archipelago is a national park and one of the most visited tourist attractions in Brazil. Last year, it received 106,000 tourists, 90% of whom were Brazilians. The national park was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001.

Fernanda Wenzel reporting from Porto Alegre, Brazil, Rodrigo Pedroso from Sao Paulo, Brazil. Brekke Fletcher contributed to this report.

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Paradise islands reopen only to visitors who've had Covid-19 - CNN

LONDON Britain is preparing to revise its laws to allow the emergency use of any effective coronavirus vaccine before it is fully licensed but only if the shots meet required safety and quality standards.

In a statement Friday, Prime Minister Boris Johnsons Conservative government said it was adopting reinforced safeguards to allow the countrys medicines regulatory agency to grant temporary authorization of a COVID-19 vaccine, provided it meets safety and quality standards.

The proposed regulations would allow coronavirus vaccines to receive an emergency approval allowing people to be immunized while the full licensing process is being finished. Typically, vaccines are only used after the licensing review has been completed, a process which can take several months.

If we develop effective vaccines, its important we make them available to patients as quickly as possible, but only once strict safety standards have been met, Jonathan Van-Tam, Britains deputy chief medical officer, said in a statement.

Britain said the move was a precautionary measure and would only be used as a last resort if there was a pressing public health justification.

Officials said they would also be expanding the number of health workers who can administer vaccines as well as clarifying the kind of protection from civil liability for this additional work force.

The government is beginning a three-week consultation period to seek advice from health experts and other stakeholders. It said the measures could be introduced as early as October.

Dr. Doug Brown, chief executive of the British Society for Immunology, said he was confident all the safety requirements for any potential COVID-19 vaccine would be met under any emergency approval.

These steps will help to ensure that the U.K. can benefit from a COVID-19 vaccine should one become available in the near future that is proven to be safe and effective, Brown said.

Britain has recorded more than 41,500 COVID-19 deaths, the worst toll of any European country and its daily case count has been slowly increasing in recent weeks. New infections have been averaging about 1,000 a day for the last week. At the peak of Britains outbreak, it was about 5,000 cases a day, though experts suspect it could have been much higher due to inadequate testing.

The U.K. has signed multiple deals with pharmaceuticals for COVID-19 vaccines. It expects to receive the first shipments of an experimental vaccine developed by Oxford University and AstraZeneca this fall, while advanced trials testing the shots effectiveness are still under way.

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UK to allow emergency use of any effective COVID-19 vaccine - The Columbian

State officials Friday reinstated the health license of the Millinocket inn that hosted a wedding reception that sparked a major COVID-19 outbreak.

After suspending the license of the Big Moose Inn on Wednesday, the Maine Department of Health and Human Services reinstated it Friday. And after being silent for weeks, the inns owners released a lengthy statement Friday explaining their view of the outbreak.

Our hearts go out to the family, those affected by the virus who were at the wedding, and those who have been impacted since then. There is no doubt that this virus is dangerous with wide-ranging impacts. We too are deeply saddened and frustrated by the many devastating impacts of COVID-19. This is a challenging time for all of us, said a statement released on behalf of the inn by its spokesman, Dan Cashman. The statement said the Big Moose Inn was previously silent out of respect for the wedding party and family, and to let the state investigation take place.

So far, a total of 123 people have been sickened and one person has died in the COVID-19 outbreak that started at the Big Moose Inn and expanded tothe York County Jail and a Madison nursing home. The jail is now reporting 54 cases, and there are nine at the nursing home.

The Big Moose Inn was initially issued an imminent health hazard warning which had no penalty for hosting a gathering of more than 50 people indoors at the wedding reception. The Aug. 7 reception totaled 65 people, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to the inns statement, the gathering-size violation occurred because they misunderstood the rule. The operators believed they could have 50 people each in separate dining rooms rather than the 50-person limit applying to the entire facility.

We did make an error in the interpretation of that rule. Our interpretation was that we could take a wedding party of more than 50 persons, and split them between two rooms as long as it didnt exceed our total capacity or a specific rooms capacity, according to the statement. The state perhaps, rightfully so assumes that individuals from a larger group would ignore the room restrictions, and take the opportunity to co-mingle. Our interpretation of the rule put the Big Moose Inn in violation of the gathering of people.

The Maine CDC and a visitor from New Hampshire who was staying at the Big Moose Inn at the same time said most people at the reception were not wearing masks.

An Aug. 18 inspection report released by the Maine CDC said staff were wearing masks and temperatures of guests were taken at the door, but guests were not wearing masks or social distancing and the Big Moose Inn failed to enforce either. Signs did tell patrons to wear masks.

Also, there were other people at the inn besides the wedding guests, so in all, there were slightly more than 100 people in the same building. And in some parts of the dining areas, tables were spaced less than 6 feet apart.

According to the Big Moose Inn statement, We have signage to let visitors know that masks are required; staff wears masks at all times when we are open to the public or in proximity to other staff; we have increased sanitizing and safety measures before, during, and after diners and guests visit our establishment; we have added space for increased physical distancing; and we take the temperature of guests at events prior to entering the building. The wedding attendees were all screened prior to entering, which helped to give us assurance that there were no symptoms being shown from anyone at the Big Moose Inn over the course of that weekend.

The statement went on to say that none of the inns servers who worked the wedding reception tested positive, although two employees later tested positive. They were likely infected by an outside source according to contact tracing done by the Big Moose Inn.

But after a subsequent visit by health officials Wednesday, the inns health license was suspended for continued violations of state rules instituted by the Mills administration to try to control the pandemic. Employees were not wearing masks, tables were not spaced at least 6 feet apart, and social distancing was not observed, according to the violation notice. During the suspension, Big Moose Inn was not permitted to operate.

According to the Big Moose Inn statement, the dining area was closed to customers at the time of the (Aug. 26) inspection. At that point, it had not been open for a couple of weeks.We quickly corrected the violations as though we were open, and our license was reinstated earlier (Friday).

On Friday, according to the reinstatement notice, a letter from Maine DHHS to Big Moose Inn owner Laurie Cormier said that you corrected all public health hazards on the Temporary Suspension form dated Aug. 26, 2020, and signed an attestation form stating your establishment is now in compliance.

The letter also said further failure to comply with state pandemic rules will result in an immediate suspension which may lead to court action seeking a longer suspension or full revocation of your license, potential fines.

Maine CDC is closely monitoring the establishment to ensure continued compliance, Maine CDC spokesman Robert Long said in a statement.

The Big Moose Inn statement says they are fully cooperating with the Maine CDC.

We have taken the pandemic seriously, followed the rules as we have understood them, and gone above and beyond those rules to try and keep our guests, staff, and community safe, according to the statement. While we cannot be sure the virus was fully spread at our facility, we know that there are things that we can be doing better. We have given the Maine CDC our word, and we are giving our community and guests that same word that we will do and are doing better.

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Maine reinstates license of Millinocket inn where wedding COVID-19 outbreak began - Press Herald

(KWTX) - The pace of the spread of COVID-19 continues to slow in Central Texas, but there were signs Friday another surge may lie ahead, fueled by increases in cases involving younger residents as students return to class.

The total case count in Central Texas rose by 195 to 15,615 on Friday and the regional death toll, according to state data based on death certificates and county of residence, rose to at least 210.

Additional deaths were reported in Bell, McLennan and Navarro counties

Coryell County reported two more deaths, increasing the virus toll to six, according to local data.

According to state data based on death certificates and county of residence, the virus has claimed the lives of 62 Bell County residents, 22 more than the local count of 40; five Bosque County residents; 10 Coryell County residents, four more than the local count; three Falls County residents; three Hamilton County residents; eight Hill County residents; five Lampasas County residents; four Leon County residents; seven Limestone County residents; 80 McLennan County residents, two fewer than the local count of 82; five Milam County residents; 14 Navarro County residents, nine fewer than the local count of 23; and four Robertson County residents, one more than the local count of three.

The statewide death toll increased by 196 Friday while the total case count increased by 3,972 to 601,768.

Of the total, 104,622 cases were active Friday and 484,880 patients have recovered.

Hospitalizations statewide dropped slightly Friday to 4,422 and the number of patients hospitalized in the two Trauma Service Areas that include most of Central Texas totaled just more than 80.

More than 4.8 million tests have been administered and the statewide positivity rate fell slightly Friday from 13.03% to 12.31%, a drop at least partially attributed to less testing in the state.

Three of the states 254 counties are still free of the virus.

BELL COUNTY

The Bell County Public Health District reported 21 new cases of the virus Friday and the countys 40th death, a Killeen woman in her 50s.

The new cases increased the countys total to 4,662.

Of that number, 3,998 patients have recovered.

About 35% of the total cases involve residents in their 20s or younger.

We did not see many cases added which is good news but we want to ensure that everyone remains vigilant as we approach the Labor Day holiday, health district Director Dr. Amanda Robison-Chadwell said Friday.

Please continue to socially distance, mask if you cannot, wash your hands and stay home if you are sick.

The state count, which includes Fort Hood personnel who live on post rose increased by 41 Friday to 4,747.

The Killeen ISD has created anonline dashboardto track and update COVID-19 cases in schools.

The district, which started online learning on Aug. 17, plans to start in-person instruction Monday, a week earlier than originally planned, because of technology distribution issues.

The state Friday reported 62 deaths in the county based on death certificates and county of residence.

The health district earlier reported 39 deaths including a Killeen man in his 50s in ICU died who died on April 8, a Temple man in his 60s in intensive care who died on April 6 who died on April 6, a Temple woman in her 80s who had been diagnosed with the virus died on March 26, and a woman in her 90s who was a resident of West Inn Nursing and Rehabilitation whose death was announced on May 30.

Also, a resident of Weston Inn Nursing and Rehabilitation whose death was announced on June 3; a woman in her 60s who was a resident of Weston Inn whose death was reported on June 9, a woman in her 70s who was transferred on June 1 from Weston Inn Nursing and Rehabilitation to Scott & White Medical Center died on June 14; two men in their 80s whose deaths were reported on June 17, both of whom were residents of Weston Inn Nursing & Rehabilitation in Temple; a man in his 60s whose was reported on June 19 who also was a former resident of Weston Inn; a woman in her 50s with underlying conditions whose death was reported on June 22; a man in his 90s who died on June 25; a Killeen woman in her 80s whose death was reported on June 29.

The death of Bell County man in his 20s who died outside of the county was reported on July 10; the death of a Bell County man in his 70s was reported on July 15; the death of a Temple man in his 90s was reported on July 17; the death of a Killeen man in his 70s was reported on July 17; the death of a Killeen woman in her 70s was reported on July 19, and the death of a man in his 80s who was a resident of the Indian Oaks Living Center in Harker Heights was reported on July 29.

On Aug. 4 health officials reported the death of a Harker Heights man in his 60s who had battled the virus since June; the death of a Killeen woman in her 70s was reported on Aug. 6; a Bell County woman in her 70s who was diagnosed with the virus in July died on Aug. 6.

On Aug. 10, officials reported the deaths of a Belton woman in her 80s whod be fighting the virus for some time and a Harker Heights man in his 50s who had underlying conditions.

Officials reported two more deaths on Aug. 11, a Killeen woman in her 60s with underlying conditions who died on Aug. 10and a Killeen woman in her 80s who died on Aug. 11.

The deaths of six more residents were reported on Aug. 18.

Three were from Aug. 14, including a Killeen man in his 70s, a Bell County woman in her 70s and a Belton woman in her 80s.

A Temple man in his 60s, a Killeen woman in her 80s and a Belton man in his 60s died on Aug. 17.

On Aug. 20, a Temple man in his 60s diagnosed with the virus earlier in the month died.

On Aug. 24 the county reported the death of a Harker Heights woman in her 70s who was a resident of the Indian Oaks Living Center at 415 Indian Oaks Dr.

Officials reported the death of a Temple woman in her 90s on Aug. 25.

Health district officials reported three additional deaths on Aug 26 including a Temple man in his 90s, a Belton woman in her 80s, and a Temple man in his 80s, none of whom was affiliated with a nursing home.

The death of a Killeen man in his 70s who was not affiliated with a nursing home, was reported on Aug. 27.

MCLENNAN COUNTY

Waco-McLennan County health officials reported 62 new cases of the virus Friday and an additional death, a 67-year-old man.

The new cases pushed the countys total to 6,162.

Of that number, 1,921 cases were active Friday and 4,159 patients have recovered.

Thirty six patients were hospitalized Friday, 22 of them on ventilators.

Twenty one of the 36 are McLennan County residents.

More than half of the new cases reported Friday involve residents in their 20s or younger.

Sixty two of the 92 cases the county reported Thursday involved residents 29 or younger; 70 of the 101 new cases the county reported on Wednesday involved residents ranging in age from 18 to 29; and on Tuesday 74 of the 111 new cases reported involved residents from 11 to 29.

Officials expressed concern earlier this week about the impact of the return of thousands of students to universities, colleges and K-12 schools on the spread of COVID-19 in the county, but said its too early to say whether the uptick in cases involving younger residents is a result of the return to campus.

Several dozen Midway High School students will be quarantined after one senior was diagnosed with the virus, district spokeswoman Traci Marlin said Thursday.

The districts dashboard showed just one other confirmed case Friday, a staff member at Woodway Elementary School.

Baylor Universitys onlineCOVID-19 dashboard, which includes data about cases involving students who live both on and off campus, faculty and staff members who are working on campus and contractors who are working on campus, showed a total of 415 confirmed cases of the virus since Aug. 1 and 253 active cases of the virus on Friday.

In the past seven days 3,301 tests have been administered and 211 of them were positive for a daily positivity rate of 6.4%

Random surveillance testing begins Monday.

The overwhelming majority of our COVID-19 cases have been traced back to off-campus interactions and students who live off-campus, university President Dr. Linda Livingstone said in an email to students, faculty and staff Friday afternoon.

Livingstone said the university is also starting to see COVID-19 positives among small groups of four to six students who are gathering in off-campus residences to have dinner together, for example.

We cannot stress enough the importance of face coverings and social distancing, even in such small social gatherings.

There is not a single COVID-19 data point or factor that would alter our plans for continuing the fall semester in an on-campus environment, she said.

To reiterate, we are pleased with the start of the fall semester and look forward to continuing with on-campus instruction and activities in the weeks ahead.

State data Thursday, based on death certificates and county of residence, showed 80 deaths in the county, two fewer than the local count.

Among the first McLennan County residents to die of the virus in the county were G.W. Carver Middle School Principal Phillip Perry, who died of complications from the virus on March 31; a 61-year old McLennan County man whom a neighbor found dead on April 8; a 69-year-old man who died on April 9 at a local hospital, and a 66-year-old resident whose death was announced on April 22.

The others include a 46-year-old man with no apparent underlying issues who died June 18 in a Waco hospital, a 44-year-old man who died on June 23 in a local hospital; a 53-year-old man who died on June 28 at a local hospital; an 89-year-old man who died on June 29 at a local hospital; an 87-year-old man who died June 29 at a local hospital; a 62-year-old woman and a 77-year-old man whose deaths were reported on July 4; a 71-year-old woman and a 76-year-old man whose deaths were reported on July 6; a 72-year-old man whose death was reported on July 8; a 41-year-old woman whose death was reported on July 9; a 93-year-old woman who died on July 11 at a local hospital; a 42-year-old woman who died July 12 at a local hospital; a 73-year-old man who died on July 13 at his home; an 87-year-old woman who died on July 14 at a local hospital; an 87-year-old woman who died late on July 15 at a local long term care facility; a 75-year-old man who died on July 16 at a local hospital; a 66-year-old man who died July 17 at a local hospital; a 69-year-old woman, whose death was reported on July 18; an 82-year-old woman whose death was reported on July 18; a 97-year-old woman whose death was reported on July 21, and a 43-year-old man and two 88-year-old men whose deaths were reported on July 22.

The county reported a single-day record of four deaths on July 23, a 52-year-old woman, a 70-year-old woman, a 97-year-old woman and an 83-year-old woman.

The county reported three more deaths on July 24, a 70-year-old woman, an 84-year-old woman and a 55-year old man, raising the death toll from the virus to 35, an increase of 13 since July 17.

The death of a 55-year-old woman was reported on July 27.

On July 28, the county reported three more deaths from the virus, a 72-year-old man, an 84-year-old man and a 91-year-old man.

The deaths of a 75-year-old man, an 87-year-old woman and an 84-year-old woman were reported on July 29.

On July 30, the county reported the deaths of an 83-year-old man and a 69-year-old woman.

The death of an 81-year-old man was reported on July 31.

Health officials reported the death of a 66-year-old woman on Aug. 1 and the deaths of a 62-year-old woman and a 90-year-old woman on Aug. 2.

On Aug. 3 the deaths of a 62-year-old woman, a 77-year-old man and an 84-year-old woman, were reported.

On Aug. 5, health officials reported the deaths of a 69-year-old man and an 87-year-old man.

The deaths of two more residents were reported on Aug. 6, a 67-year-old man and a 90-year-old man.

The deaths of five women, ages 98, 61, 68, 91 and 83, and two men, ages 81 and 90, were announced on July 7, a one-day record.

Health officials reported the death of an 80-year-old man on Aug. 8 and a 93-year-old woman whose death was reported on Aug. 9.

Officials reported the countys 65th death on Aug. 11, a 72-year-old man.

The deaths of five more residents were reported on Aug. 12 including a 67-year-old man, a 92-year-old woman, an 89-year-old woman, an 89-year-old man and a 65-year-old woman, increasing the virus toll in the county to 70.

Health officials reported the deaths of the 72-year-old man on August 14, a 68-year-old woman on Aug. 15; an 80-year-old man on Aug. 17, and a 58-year-old man and an 83-year-old man on Aug. 18.

Officials reported three more deaths on Aug. 20, a 73-year-old woman, a 58-year-old woman and a 65-year old man.

The death of a 57-year-old woman was reported on Aug. 22 and the death of a 66-year-old woman was reported on Aug. 24.

CORYELL COUNTY

Coryell County reported a total of 536 cases of the virus Friday, an increase of 43.

The county also reported two more deaths, increasing the local count to six.

Of the total, 192 cases were active and 331 patients have recovered.

State data, which includes Texas Department of Criminal Justice inmates, showed 914 cases in the county, an increase of 64, with 657 recoveries.

Fifty one active cases of the virus, 32 involving inmates and 19 involving employees, were reported Friday at the Christina Melton Crain Unit in Gatesville, where 398 inmates are medically restricted and 32 are isolated; 50 active cases, 31 involving inmates and 19 involving employees were reported at the Alfred D. Hughes Unit in Gatesville where 1,130 inmates were medically restricted and 47 were isolated, and 13 active cases, 10 involving inmates and three involving employees, were reported at the Mountain View Unit in Gatesville, where 66 inmates were restricted and 10 were isolated.

The countys death toll stood at 10 Friday, according to state data, but according to local data the virus earlier claimed four lives in the county including a Copperas Cove man in his 70s who died on April 9 at Advent Hospital in Killeen, to which he was admitted on April 2; a Copperas Cove man in his 60s who was diagnosed with the virus on April 5; a Copperas Cove man whose death was reported on July 8, and a Gatesville man in his 60s whose death was reported on July 12.

TheCove House Free Clinicat 806 West Avenue D, Suite H, is offering free COVID-19 testing from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays. Appointments are required and may be made by calling (254) 289-9865.

LIMESTONE COUNTY

Limestone County reported a total of 408 cases Friday, an increase of three, with 256 recoveries.

Seven Limestone County residents have now died of the virus, according to state data.

The first was a Mexia woman in her late 50s to early 60s with underlying health conditions who died on March 31 at Parkview Regional Hospital in Mexia after she was diagnosed with COVID-19.

NAVARRO COUNTY

Navarro County reported 1,074 confirmed and 241 probable cases Friday for a total of 1,315.

The county also reported another death, increasing the virus toll to 23.

Of the total case, 144 were active Friday and 1,148 patients have recovered.

Fifteen patients were hospitalized Friday.

OTHER COUNTIES

According to the latest figures Friday Bosque County was reporting 211 cases and 161 recoveries. Revised state data based on death certificates showed five residents have died.

Falls County had 160 confirmed cases and 132 recoveries Friday. State data showed three deaths.

Freestone County was reporting 381 cases Friday. Of the total, 163 patients have recovered. A total of 170 active cases, 169 involving inmates and 11 involving employees, were reported Friday at the William R. Boyd Unit in Teague where 1,082 inmates were medically restricted and 169 were isolated.

Hamilton County was reporting 100 confirmed cases Friday. A total of 79 patients have recovered. Three residents have died of the virus, according to state data.

Hill County reported a total of 369 cases Friday with 316 recoveries. Eight residents have died, according to state data.

Lampasas County was reporting 151 cases with 112 recoveries. Five residents diagnosed with the virus have died, according to state data.

Leon County reported 180 confirmed cases with 146 recoveries Friday. Four residents have died, according to state data.

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COVID-19 spread slows in Central Texas, but could another spike lie ahead? - KWTX

RENO, Nev. (AP) Nevada officials are reporting what may be the first documented case of coronavirus reinfection in the United States, following similar reports earlier this week from Hong Kong and Europe.

A 25-year-old Reno man with mild COVID-19 symptoms initially was found to have the virus in April, recovered and tested negative twice, and then tested positive again in June. He was much sicker the second time, with pneumonia that required hospitalization and oxygen treatment.

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CDC suggests healthcare workers be the first to get the coronavirus vaccine - WFLA

The Merced County Health Department ordered the Foster Farms Livingston Facility to shut down over the largest and most severe COVID-19 outbreak in Merced County, according to a statement released on Thursday by the health department.

The shutdown order came Wednesday.

However, late Thursday, Mike North, Merced Countys spokesperson, said county officials issued a 48-hour stay to the shutdown order to help facilitate logistics associated with any necessary closure. North said the enforcement stay followed a phone call with the U.S. Department of Agricultures secretary for food safety.

It wasnt immediately clear how Foster Farms would respond to the shutdown order. A man who answered the phone at the Livingston plant on Thursday afternoon said they had no comment and hung up.

Vehicles, including trucks with Foster Farms logos, were seen entering and exiting the Livingston facility after 6 p.m. Thursday, and the facilitys gates were open.

The outbreak at the Livingston Facility accounts for 18% of COVID-19 deaths in the county under age 65, and 4 out of 10 coronavirus deaths in Livingston.

In a statement Thursday, officials described the Foster Farms outbreaks as the most severe and long lasting in Merced County.

At least 358 employees have tested positive, and eight employees have died due to the coronavirus, according to a letter obtained from the Merced County Health Department. The true spread, however, remains unknown, according to the statement.

Foster Farms poultry operation in Livingston, California, has experienced an alarming spread of COVID-19 among its workers. Nobody can ignore the facts: Its time to hit the reset button on Foster Farms Livingston plant, California Attorney General Xavier Becerra said in the written statement.

The California Department of Public Health also issued a statement to support the countys action.

I hope this letter helps Foster Farms to understand that it has a legal obligation to comply with public health orders and guidance, as well as an obligation to its workers and to the people of Merced County and surrounding counties and that these obligations compel Foster Farms to immediately comply with the order issued yesterday by the County, Acting State Health Officer Erica Pan wrote on Aug. 27.

The COVID-19 fatality rate at Foster Farms is 2.2%, nearly twice the rate of the rest of the county, according to a letter from the Merced County Health Department.

Nobody can ignore the facts: Its time to hit the reset button on Foster Farms Livingston plant.

The outbreak at the Livingston Facility accounts for 18% of COVID-19 deaths in the county under age 65, 7% of total county deaths, and 4 out of 10 coronavirus deaths in Livingston, the health department said.

The multi-billion dollar companyemploys about 12,000 peoplein turkey processing in Turlock and at chicken plants in Livingston, Fresno, Porterville, Oregon, Washington, Louisiana, and Alabama.About 3,750 people work at the Livingstonfacility, one of theworlds largest chicken plants.

In their letter, the state health department said the Livingston plant outbreak was of particular concern because other Foster Farms facilities in multiple counties also are experiencing outbreaks.

The letter did not provide any details of the other plant outbreaks.

In the letter, health department officials say they attempted to curb the Livingston outbreak several times to no avail.

On June 29, before any coronavirus-related deaths tied to the plant were reported, county health officials walked through the Foster Farms facility and provided recommendations to control the outbreak, the letter says. Those included significant changes to employee break spaces and widespread employee testing. According to the statement, the company ignored most of the guidance.

In late July, the facility had tested less than 10% of the employees in the department hardest hit by the virus fewer than 100 employees total. Over a quarter of those employees tested positive. But Foster Farms took another three weeks before testing more department employees. Three deaths are linked to that department alone, the letter states.

CalOSHA visited the Livingston facility alongside the county health department on Aug. 3 and noticed the countys initial recommendations had not been adopted. According to the letter, the county reissued testing directives on Aug. 5 and Aug. 11 that went unmet.

As a result, the State Attorney Generals Office, the California Department of Public Health and the county health department worked with Foster Farms to limit the impact of the closure and could not reach agreement, according to the statement.

The closure of this plant is the only way to get the outbreak at Foster Farms swiftly under control. Our hearts are with the eight families who have lost a loved one, said Merced County Public Health Office Dr. Salvador Sandoval in the statement.

The Sun-Stars Andrew Kuhn contributed to this report.

Manuela Tobias is a reporter with The Fresno Bee. This article is part ofThe California Divide, acollaboration among newsrooms examining income inequity and economic survival in California.

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Foster Farms processing plant in California ordered to shut down over COVID-19 outbreak - CALmatters