Category: Covid-19

The NFL and NFL Players Association have suspended all leaguewide COVID-19 protocols effective immediately, pausing two years of largely successful efforts to play through the pandemic.

Teams received a memo Thursday morning detailing the decision, which was "based on current encouraging trends regarding the prevalence and severity" of the coronavirus.

Many of the league's most severe protocols had been dropped by the end of the 2021 season, including mandatory testing for asymptomatic players and staff, requirements to wear contact tracing devices and distancing limitations in weight rooms and cafeterias.

There is no football activity underway at club facilities at this point in the offseason, and the earliest it can begin is April 4 for teams that have hired new coaches. But Thursday's change will still affect coaches and other staff members who are attending this week's scouting combine in Indianapolis or who work year-round in local markets. Those employees will no longer face surveillance testing, regardless of vaccination status, or mask requirements.

Teams can choose to impose their own mask policies if desired, and the memo does leave open the possibility of reverting to a level of protocols if circumstances warrant.

"Should there be a reason to reimpose aspects of the protocols or to take other measures," the memo notes, "we will work closely with clubs, the NFLPA and our respective experts, and local, state and federal public health officials to continue to safeguard the health of the NFL community."

Teams are still required to comply with any state and local public health regulations.

The pandemic forced the NFL to cancel its 2020 offseason training and preseason, but it has played all regular-season and playoff games since, with a total of eight games being rescheduled. The full slate included an expansion of the postseason in 2020 and the regular season in 2021.

In some cases, the NFL's work on COVID-19 informed decisions by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other public health institutions.

The NFL finished the 2021 season with vaccination rates of 95% for players and nearly 100% for other football staff members. There were four known hospitalizations among players, coaches and on-field officials for COVID-19 between the start of training camp in 2020 and the end of the 2021 season.

More here:

NFL, players' union agree to suspend COVID-19 protocols, citing decreasing spread - ESPN

Philadelphia residents no longer need to wear masks in most indoor settings, starting immediately, the citys health commissioner, Dr. Cheryl Bettigole, announced on Wednesday.

With Philadelphia reporting an average of 295 new coronavirus cases per day, down from almost 4,000 during the Omicron peak, city authorities say it is safe to stop enforcing the mandate.

The change in policy came as other U.S. cities and counties have rapidly relaxed their mask mandates, including Chicago, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles County, New York City and Boston.

Last month, Philadelphia announced a new tiered Covid response system, which ties restrictions to specific benchmarks for new daily cases, hospitalizations, test positivity rates and the rate at which cases are rising. The metrics have improved enough that Philadelphia can move to the all clear level, where vaccines and masks are no longer required in most indoor spaces, the Health Department said.

The mask mandate remains in place in health care settings and on public transit, and businesses and other institutions are allowed to require masks or proof of vaccination if they choose to do so.

Masks will no longer be required in Philadelphia schools starting March 9, if the situation continues to improve.

Philadelphia is unique in that we are the poorest big city in the country, making us more vulnerable to Covid-19 than many other places, Dr. Bettigole said. She added that Philadelphians had shown a commitment to each other during the pandemic, perhaps best demonstrated by our willingness to wear masks for the past six months to help decrease transmission to those that remain at risk.

Almost 70 percent of Philadelphians are fully vaccinated, according to a New York Times database, but the number of people receiving their first doses has stalled, as they have nationally.

Other places in the United States that announced changes to mask policies this week:

Maines state government said on Wednesday that it would lift its statewide mask requirement for schools on March 9, after which school districts will be responsible for setting mask policies.

Education officials in Chicago, one of the largest U.S. public school systems, say they might soon end the citys mandate in schools.

Los Angeles County is poised to lift its indoor mask requirement for unvaccinated residents on March 4.

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Covid Live Updates: U.S. to Offer Covid-Fighting Tech to Other Nations - The New York Times

City of Pasadena Announces Updated Mask Recommendations and COVID-19 Health Orders - Office of the City Manager  City of Pasadena

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City of Pasadena Announces Updated Mask Recommendations and COVID-19 Health Orders - Office of the City Manager - City of Pasadena

COVID-19 trends in Massachusetts and in Cambridge have been moving in the right direction since the peak of the Omicron surge in January. Recently, Cambridge has seen a small uptick in COVID-19 cases. A review of these cases indicates that this uptick is attributable to cases affiliated with institutions of higher education in the city. While cases in the community have been decreasing steadily, higher ed cases have been increasing. From Monday - Wednesday of this week, for example, of the cases reported to the Cambridge Public Health Department (CPHD), only 18% were cases in the broader community, with the other 82% of cases being reported by the universities in Cambridge. CPHD and the City are working with our university and other community partners to continue monitoring trends.

Cambridge saw the peak in positive cases on January 8, 2022, and regional hospitalizations peaked in mid-January. Since then, COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations have decreased dramatically, as have viral loads in wastewater. Over the past few weeks, hospitalizations dropped by more than half in Massachusetts with significant declines in hospitalizations across all age groups. With fewer people seriously ill with COVID, the pressure on our health care systems is finally easing.

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Information on Recent COVID-19 Cases & Trends in Cambridge - the City of Cambridge

Today we are marking the completion of our second full year of living and working through the COVID-19 pandemic. We have shared this experience, but we will remember it in ways that are unique to each of us.

En Espaol

Dear School of Medicine Colleagues,

Please take a moment to read the below message from Wesley. We are at an important reflection point and transition period in this shared experience, and we should take time to process what we have been through and think about where we are going. I truly hope we will soon enter a period of healing. We all desperately need that.

Earlier this year, I shared that one of the ways I maintain a positive outlook is to remember how inspiring it is to work in a place that is making an incredible impact in research, clinical care, and education. This work is challenging and exhausting, but we are fortunate to do it alongside our colleagues who we would do anything to support.

Thank you for everything you do each day and everything that you will do as we continue to work together.

Sincerely,

Cristy

Cristy Page, MD, MPH

Executive Dean, UNC School of Medicine

Dear Colleagues,

Today we are marking the completion of our second full year of living and working through the COVID-19 pandemic. We have shared this experience, but we will remember it in ways that are unique to each of us.

In the future as we tell our personal stories of the pandemic, the exact number of months, weeks, and days will fade. We will never forget though the loss of family members, friends, and colleagues. Or, the time that passed between seeing grandchildren. The birthdays and holidays we missed. The year of virtual school. The anxiety of waiting for test results, the nights wondering if we will feel better in the morning, and the elation of vaccines.

Each of you will tell a story of doing work you never imagined building a field hospital, staffing a mobile vaccine unit, coordinating parking and logistics for testing and mass vaccine clinics. Sequencing hundreds of thousands of tests, managing vaccine trials, delivering infusions of monoclonal antibodies. These were projects without precedent. I hope we never have to do it again. Nevertheless, it is reassuring to know that we can.

We have learned enduring lessons and formed bonds that will carry through the rest of our careers. But, as we conclude our second full COVID year, its also natural to wish those lessons could have come through less painful means. The last two years have been hard. Physically, emotionally, morally, and spiritually. Youve worked too many hours, forgoing days off and vacations. Youve done it under unrelenting stress. Youve had conversations with patients that feel so unnatural to us as caregivers. We will wear these moral scars for years to come. This time has changed us all in ways that we dont yet understand.

In the present moment, we find ourselves in another time of transition. The mountainous peak of cases and hospitalizations caused by Omicron has fortunately declined. We are beginning to see a relaxation of many of the restrictions that have defined our daily lives throughout the pandemic. While many will rush to declare the pandemic over, you will still be working tirelessly as you have done for the last 730 days to care for very sick patients. Thankfully, we have new tools and treatments, but this is still exhausting work. While it feels like others are moving on, know that we will always do everything possible to support you.

Ill never forget the countless instances of empathy and small moments of grace that have defined the last two years. This pandemic has proven repeatedly that there is no way to predict what is coming next. Whatever that is, however, we will face it just as we have every other challenge. Day by day. Together.

Sincerely,

Wesley

Wesley Burks, MDDean, UNC School of MedicineCEO, UNC Health

Excerpt from:

Reflecting on Two Years of COVID-19 | Newsroom - UNC Health and UNC School of Medicine

Detroit Following a meeting today of the COVID-19 Joint Task Force, comprised of the UAW, Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, the Task Force has decided to adopt the new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance and move to a masks optional policy for employees at U.S. facilities regardless of vaccination status, if those facilities are not in high- risk counties as identified by the CDC. Each company will communicate when these changes will go into effect at their locations.

Facilities located in high-risk counties as identified by the CDC must continue to require masking and physical distancing. A sites COVID-19 county risk level can be checked through the onlineCDC tracking tool.

In making this decision, the Task Force reviewed reports of medical experts and CDC guidelines. The companies will continue to adhere to state and local masking requirements where applicable.

While masks are now optional at sites not in high-risk counties, they will still be available for those who choose to wear one based on personal preference. In addition, the CDC recommends that those who are immunocompromised orhigh risk for severe disease wear a mask or respirator that provides greater protection. People with symptoms, a positive test, or exposure to someone with COVID-19 also should wear a mask and not report to work.

The Task Force will continue to monitor data carefully and make any adjustments necessary to protect the health and safety of employees.

While the UAW and the companies will continue following other protocols that have kept workplaces safe, one of the best ways to fight this virus is by getting vaccinated. The Task Force continues to encourage everyone to roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated against COVID-19, or boosted when eligible, to protect family, friends and communities.

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Statement on Changes to COVID-19 Protocols after Meeting of the COVID-19 Joint Task Force - UAW

Some of Texas largest public school districts are dropping their mask mandates for students, teachers and other staff as cases of COVID-19 in the state continue to decrease.

The Austin Independent School District decided to make face coverings optional beginning March 7 following a meeting between school board officials and the citys health director, KUT reported.

Our COVID numbers have significantly decreased," Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde said Wednesday. "To be exact .007% [of the school community tested positive] this past week."

Ken Zarifis, the head of Education Austin, AISD's teacher's union, said he hoped the district would have kept the requirement in place until the end of the school year, citing how unpredictable spikes in COVID-19 cases have been in the past.

"We don't have anyone coming up and saying 'hey Ken, why isn't Education Austin helping advocate for getting rid of this mask mandate? he told KUT. Nobody that is doing the work every single day is asking that."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued new guidelines last week on face coverings based on updated data on hospitalizations and infections. According to the CDC, people residing in about 70% of the country dont need to wear masks to ward off the virus, although they are still recommended in some cases.

With current high levels of vaccination and high levels of population immunity from both vaccination and infections, the risk of medically significant disease, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19 is greatly reduced for most people, CDC officials said when the new guidance was announced.

The Houston Independent School District announced masks were optional as of Tuesday.

"Masks within HISD schools, facilities, [and] our school buses will all be optional with this modification, HISD superintendent Millard House II said during a press conference Monday. Anyone that may need additional layers of protection or are exhibiting symptoms of a communicable disease are highly encouraged to wear a mask regardless of their vaccination status. Anyone wanting to wear a mask can still request one when entering an HISD facility.

House said the district will be prepared to update its guidance in the event of another outbreak of COVID-19.

In the San Antonio area, the North East Independent School District has not had a mask mandate for a while and the Northside Independent School District released a statement earlier in February ending their temporary mask mandate, Texas Pubic Radio reported. Harlandale Independent School District released a statement on Feb. 28 stating masks in school would be optional starting Tuesday, March 1.

The Dallas Independent School also announced on Monday that it was allowing mask use to be optional, though it still recommends face coverings for students and staff. The announcement came after the CDC downgraded Dallas County's level of community spread to medium.

This additional measure gives us greater confidence to adjust some of our protocols. School visitors and volunteers will be allowed on a limited basis and masks are recommended while inside, DISD officials said on their website. Campuses will receive further guidance detailing the specifics on the specific updates.

KERA News is made possible through the generosity of our members. If you find this reporting valuable, considermaking a tax-deductible gift today. Thank you.

Got a tip? Email Julin Aguilar atjaguilar@kera.org.You can follow Julin on Twitter@nachoaguilar.

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With cases of COVID-19 down, some Texas school districts have made mask wearing optional - KERA News

PENNSYLVANIA, USA The Pennsylvania Department of Health confirms 1,219additional positive cases of COVID-19, bringing the statewide total to 2,760,617on Thursday, March 3.

There were 65new deaths identified by the Pennsylvania death registry. The statewide total of deaths attributed to COVID-19 is 43,486, according to the department.

View the CDC COVID data trackerhere.

Watch more stories about the coronavirus pandemic on WNEP's YouTube page.

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Here are the latest COVID-19 numbers in Pennsylvania for Thursday, March 3 - WNEP Scranton/Wilkes-Barre

Connecticut's daily COVID-19 positivity rate is now 2.12%, down from Wednesday's 2.31%, and there have been additional 72 deaths in the last week, according to Governor Ned Lamont's office.

Officials said 27,761 tests were reported since Wednesday, and 589 were positive.

There are currently 171 patients hospitalized with COVID-19, down 21 since Wednesday. Of those 171 patients hospitalized, 68 (39.8%) are not fully vaccinated.

There is a total of 10,515 COVID-19 associated deaths in the state with an additional 72 reported in the last week, officials said.

For a breakdown of state COVID-19 information click here.

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CT's COVID-19 Positivity at 2.12%; 72 Deaths Reported in Last Week - NBC Connecticut

by: Dr. Mary Gillis, D.Ed.

Posted: Mar 3, 2022 / 08:03 PM EST / Updated: Mar 3, 2022 / 08:03 PM EST

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) Omicron is on its way out, and COVID-19 positivity rates are dropping as are hospitalizations and deaths.

According to the latest poll by The Associated Press Center for Public Affairs, Americans say they are ready to put pandemic panic in the past.

Scientists polled 1,289 adults between Feb. 18 and Feb. 21. When omicron was at its peak in January, 36% of respondents indicated they were extremely or very worried about themselves or a family member getting infected. But, that number has since dropped to 24%.

In this same survey, respondents were asked how concerned they were about the spread of COVID-19. In August 2021, 65% were extremely or very worried. The latest data shows less than 50% are concerned about coronavirus spread.

Other signs also point to the nation is ready to move on. Last Friday, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released guidelines lifting indoor mask mandates.

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Poll: Americans ready to put COVID-19 pandemic behind them - WISH TV Indianapolis, IN