Category: Covid-19

The Cleveland Clinic's Chief Caregiver Officer Kelly Hancock urged her community to follow social distancing and mask guidelines as Covid-19 grips hundreds of those working inside of one of America's best hospitals.

"We had a record today, we saw nearly 12,000 new cases in the state of Ohio of Covid-positive patients, and so when you think about the increase and the hospitalizations that results in, it's incredible," Hancock said during a Monday evening interview on "The News with Shepard Smith." "We're experiencing close to 1,000 of our caregivers who've been affected by Covid-19, and unable to come in and care for those patients."

The Cleveland Clinic reported that 970 caregivers are out due to the virus, triple the number from two weeks ago. In the greater Cleveland area, Covid-19 cases are on the rise, according to the Ohio Department of Health. There was an average of 83 new cases between September 23-29, but between November 11-17 the average was 1,134 new cases.

Hancock told host Shepard Smith that despite the infections of its health-care workers, that the Cleveland Clinic is still able to uphold its standard of care for patients.

"Right now we have adequate staffing, we're able to mobilize our caregivers to the areas they're needed most, but we continue to meet frequently throughout the day to continue to assess the situation for both our caregivers, as well as the bed capacity," Hancock said.

The United States recorded more than 3 million new coronavirus cases this month alone. That's a quarter of all the country's cases to date, according to a CNBC analysis of Johns Hopkins data. The U.S. has averaged 1,500 deaths per day over the past week, which is an average of more than one death every minute for the past week.

Hospitalizations have been up for 29 straight days, and over that time, the number of people hospitalized for the virus doubled, according to the Covid Tracking Project. Hancock urged that America's health-care workers need all the help they can get right now. She advised people to avoid large gatherings during the holidays, to wear masks appropriately, and frequent hand washing.

"All of this is really concerning for all of us and we need to do all of this to ensure that we can keep our caregivers at work," said Hancock.

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'Close to 1,000' Cleveland Clinic caregivers infected with Covid-19, says hospital official - CNBC

Slater, 71, was first diagnosed with Covid-19 on July 13 along with his wife, his family said. After two weeks of quarantine, she recovered but he did not.

Slater's daughter, Kim Cochran, told CNN that the family became concerned when her sister went to mow their parents' lawn and noticed that Slater wasn't acting like himself.

The family called their physician and he suggested they call the paramedics because Slater also suffers from Parkinson's disease and Rheumatoid arthritis. The arrived paramedics and checked on Slater, but they chose not to take him to the hospital.

The next day, on July 26, his oxygen levels dropped, so Cochran said the family decided to take him to the emergency room in St. Luke's east in Lee's Summit, Kansas, where he was diagnosed with double pneumonia caused by Covid-19.

"About a week later, after putting him on the ventilator, they told us that he was the sickest patient in the hospital ... and there was nothing else they could do for him there," Cochran said.

It was then recommended that he go to another hospital in Kansas City, St. Luke's Hospital - Plaza, but the doctors told the family that there was a chance he wouldn't make it through the transport.

"So we said no, leave him where he is at, but our family physician said, 'If they give you a glimmer of hope, you take it. If he dies in transport, that's God's calling,' so we decided to let him be transported," Cochran said.

His family prayed for him to pull through

Slater survived the transport and a day later, on August 6, he was put on ECMO, or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, a therapy that adds oxygen to the blood and pumps it through the body.

"They said Covid just went in like a bomb and destroyed his lungs," Cochran said. "Two weeks later, every time they tried to remove him from ECMO he would crash immediately."

Then one day the family spoke with Slater via video conference and encouraged him to be strong. They told him how many people were praying for him to pull through.

The nurse called the family an hour later to tell them they had turned the ECMO off and Slater was breathing and doing everything on his own.

"Every day we would call and just get stable, stable," Cochran said.

Then, Cochran said the hospital called and told her mother that she would need to have a conversation with the doctor at the end of the week.

"It totally blew us away. Because at this point they never led us one direction or another," Cochran said. "We always knew he was still critical... she said they had never had anyone as sick as him make it passed this point."

Slater tested negative in September

A few days later Cochran, her sisters and her mother went to dinner to discuss Slater's health.

"We had all decided we weren't giving up," Cohran said. "We didn't feel like it was time. And then our waitress came to the table and her name tag was Hope, and we knew from that point on that he was going to be okay."

The next week, Cochran's mother called the doctor. The family found out that they originally intended to discuss turning off Slater's life support, but in a number of days he had turned the corner.

The doctors were still cautious because of how sick he was, but they knew he could be okay.

On September 18, Slater finally tested negative for Covid-19, and he started to be slowly removed from all of the machines. He was moved to a medical rehab facility, where he would remain for the next seven weeks.

Slater: 'Just don't give up hope'

After 96 days, Slater finally came off of the ventilator.

"It's just a medical miracle," Cochran said. "He was moved to another facility for two weeks and they told us there was no way he would be home before Christmas."

Slater was wheeled out of the hospital on Friday, where his waiting family was waiting for him.

"When they said no one had ever made it passed that point, someone has to set the bar, and he set the bar," Cochran said.

Slater helped to tell his story alongside his daughter and had one thing to say about the experience.

"Just don't give up hope," Slater told CNN.

The family said they are thankful to all of the hospital staff that helped take care of their dad.

"We just want to tell the story because we don't want anyone to give up," Cochran said. "You just can't give up."

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After 118 days in the hospital with Covid-19, one man is finally home just in time for the holidays - CNN

The coronavirus casino closure is ending, with cards to be dealt, dice to roll and slot jackpots to win starting Thursday in Las Vegas and throughout Nevada. (June 4) AP Domestic

LAS VEGAS The surgeof COVID-19 in Nevadais now at "wildfire levels," and new statewide restrictions that start Tuesdaywillimpact travelers visitingthis gambling and entertainmentdestination.

"We are on a rapid trajectory that threatens to overwhelm our health care system, our frontline health workers, and your access to care," Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak announced Sunday. "So its time to act."

What does the new "statewide pause" mean forvacationers visiting The Strip?Here's whatyou need to know about the new restrictions.

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They start at 12:01 a.m.Tuesday.

The will bein place for three weeks, according to Sisolak.

They could. The biggest change tourists will experience inside resorts is a limit on the number of people allowed inside.The following places must reduce their capacity to 25 percent:

The state is in constant contact with the Nevada Gaming Control Board, Sisolak said.

"I had conversations with most of our gaming operators in the past 24 hours," Sisolak said. "I can assure you that the full force of the Nevada Gaming Control Board will be behind the implementation and the enforcement of these 25 percent requirements, and if they don't follow them, they will suffer the consequences as delineated but the gaming control board."

Those capacityrestrictionsalso apply to restaurants and bars.

The 165-foot Mega Bar inside Circa Resort & Casino.(Photo: Ed Komenda / Reno Gazette Journal)

Not without a reservation.

The statewide pause will affect all restaurants and bars that serve food in the following ways:

"I know the majority of our bars and restaurants are doing their best, but these settings are proven to be high risk because they allow the opportunity for people to remove their face coverings in indoor settings around people outside of their household," Sisolak said."Thats how the virus spreads."

Starting Tuesday the following will apply to private gatherings likely cutting into many Thanksgiving dinner party plans:

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The following limits will be in place for public gatherings:

Yes, the mandate has been expanded.

Masks are required at any time you are around someone not part of your immediatehousehold, including duringprivate gatherings inside andoutside.

The three-week restrictions do not apply or change Nevada's current health and safety protocols, such as capacity limitations for:

Editor's note: Although the governor's office said Sunday that fast food restaurants would be required to take reservations for in-person dining, the printed directives released on Monday exempt fast food restaurants and food courts from the reservation requirement. This story has been edited to reflect that change.

Contributing:Joe Jacquez, Reno Gazette Journal.

Ed Komenda writes about Las Vegas for the Reno Gazette Journal and USA Today Network. Do you care about democracy?Then support local journalism by subscribing to the Reno Gazette Journal right here.

Read or Share this story: https://www.rgj.com/story/news/2020/11/23/nevadas-covid-19-restrictions-and-las-vegas-what-you-need-know/6391161002/

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What do Nevada's new COVID-19 restrictions mean for Las Vegas? Here's what you need to know - Reno Gazette Journal

NORTON SHORES, MI Mona Shores Public Schools will shift all students to fully remote learning next week as coronavirus cases surge in Muskegon County, where the COVID-19 test positivity rate is currently 22%.

While students in grades 9-12 are already taking classes virtually due to a statewide mandate closing all high schools and colleges, Mona Shores students in grades PreK-8 will shift to online-only learning beginning Monday, Nov. 30, according to an email from Superintendent Bill OBrien.

OBrien cited Muskegon Countys positivity rate, as well as the upcoming holiday season, as the reason for switching to virtual learning for all students.

With the upcoming holidays we have a proactive plan to do our part to try to slow the spread in our community, county, and state, OBrien said in the message to district families.

This decision has been one of the hardest yet as we have worked around the clock, seven days a week to keep our students in school. We are at that point where it is now much bigger than just us.

All students will be in fully remote learning from Nov. 30 until Dec. 14. For the week of Dec. 14-18, all students, including grades 9-12, will return for a week of in-person learning before leaving for winter break.

The week of face-to-face instruction will give students an opportunity to replenish their at-home learning materials and check in with teachers on any areas they may be struggling with, OBrien said.

After holiday break, which is scheduled for Dec. 21-Jan. 1, students will continue remote learning for two weeks beginning Jan. 4. In-person learning will resume for all students on Tuesday, Jan. 19.

The schedule was built with a two-week remote learning period following each major holiday, OBrien said. This is a proactive mitigation effort to avoid COVID-19 spread after the holidays.

With families gathering, college students returning home, and people traveling there is likely to be more opportunity for COVID-19 to spread, he wrote. The two week shift to remote learning following the holidays allows for a district-wide quarantine period and allows the possibility of spread in our schools and community to decrease dramatically.

There are currently three elementary students, two elementary staff, one middle school student and two high school students who have recently tested positive for COVID-19 across the district, according to the Mona Shores data dashboard.

Daily cases of the novel coronavirus have skyrocketed in Muskegon County over the past month. There have been 2,137 new cases over the past seven days, out of the total 6,195 cases reported in Muskegon County since the start of the pandemic.

A total of 7,889 students and staff have been infected by coronavirus in school-related outbreaks, a 9% increase over last week, according to data released Monday by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.

The state health department ordered all Michigan high schools and colleges to move to online classes for three weeks in response to surging coronavirus cases. Most West Michigan K-8 schools also moved online, although elementary and middle schools can still conduct in-person learning if the local district allows it.

To help you navigate this complicated fall, were pleased to offer you a simpler way to get all of your education news: Our new Michigan Schools: Education in the COVID Era newsletter delivered right to your inbox. To receive this newsletter, simply click here to sign up.

More on MLive:

In-person classes ending for some K-8 West Michigan students after state closes high schools due to COVID-19 surge

Number infected by coronavirus outbreaks in Michigan schools increased 9% last week

How COVID-19 stopped 4,000 sea gulls from hatching chicks

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Mona Shores Public Schools will go online-only amid COVID-19 surge in Muskegon County - mlive.com

Captain Robert "Bobby" Rocha and Scott Davidson, a communication specialist and paramedic, had been in the hospital "for a while" before succumbing to the virus, Fire Chief Donna Lake said.

"All of us standing here ... were close personal friends with the people we lost," the chief said Sunday during a news conference. "They're all tenured employees, so we grew up together on this department. We work together, we fight together, we live together, we eat together, we do everything like families do at work."

With first responders interacting daily with people who may be infected, following those measures helps protect professionals on the front lines, Lake said.

"When September 11 happened, first responders were on the front line then," she said. "In this pandemic, we're on the front line."

First responders know their jobs are risky and continue to go out on calls as the pandemic worsens, "not knowing if today's the day that they may come in contact with somebody that is actively Covid positive," Lake said.

The loss of Rocha, 60, and Davidson, 45, is going to make it even more difficult to keep up morale, Lake said. Their coronavirus deaths follow that of EMT Billy Birmingham, who died in April after contracting the virus, city officials said.

Seventy-three members of the Kansas City Fire Department are currently infected with Covid-19, Lake said, with 201 KCFD employees testing positive since the start of the pandemic.

"The biggest way we can honor people and the biggest way we can help prevent the spread of Covid is to do all the things that have been recommended: wearing a mask, washing your hands, social distancing and really shortening and creating a pod of people that you can trust and be around," Lake said.

"Save that for the date we can get out of this pandemic and that we can all come back come together as friends and family," she said.

CNN's Melissa Alonso contributed to this report.

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2 Kansas City Fire employees just died of Covid-19. It's the 'worst case' for those on the front lines, chief says - CNN

1. How COVID-19 is affecting the globe

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 have now passed 58.6 million globally, according to the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. The number of confirmed deaths stands at more than 1.38 million.

The border between Australia's two largest states - New South Wales and Victoria - has reopened after closing for only the second time in 101 years as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

South Korean authorities have tightened restrictions in response to an increase in cases. Bars and nightclubs will be closed, on-site dining at restaurants and cafes restricted and religious gatherings limited in Seoul and nearby regions from tomorrow.

France will ease lockdown rules in three steps over the coming weeks, according to a government spokesman. There will be three steps to [lockdown] easing in view of the health situation and of risks tied to some businesses: a first step around Dec. 1, then before the year-end holidays, and then from January 2021, Gabriel Attal told Le Journal Du Dimanche.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said that the post-COVID-19 economy must be more sustainable. There is a will to learn from the pandemic and to make the economy more sustainable, she told journalists on Sunday following the G20 summit.

The COVID-19 vaccine developed by the University of Oxford stops 70% of people developing symptoms, a large-scale trial has shown.

The number of new cases continues to vary significantly around the world.

Image: Our World in Data

2. Confirmed US cases pass 12 million

Confirmed cases of coronavirus have passed 12 million in the United States. Reuters data suggests the growth in new infections has increased, with it taking just six days to go from 11 to 12 million.

Officials and experts have warned that travel and multi-household celebrations for the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday could make the situation worse. The US Centers for Disease Control has issued a strong recommendation to Americans to refrain from all kinds of travel over Thanksgiving.

Dr. Moncef Slaoui, chief scientific adviser for the government's vaccine development effort, said yesterday that vaccine shots could reach the first Americans by the middle of December.

I would expect, maybe on day two after approval on the 11th or 12th of December, hopefully the first people will be immunized across the United States, he said on CNN.

3. G20 to strive for fair global access

We will spare no effort to ensure their affordable and equitable access for all people," the final communique said.

In 2000, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance was launched at the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos, with an initial pledge of $750 million from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The aim of Gavi is to make vaccines more accessible and affordable for all - wherever people live in the world.

Along with saving an estimated 10 million lives worldwide in less than 20 years,through the vaccination of nearly 700 million children, - Gavi has most recently ensured a life-saving vaccine for Ebola.

At Davos 2016, we announced Gavi's partnership with Merck to make the life-saving Ebola vaccine a reality.

The Ebola vaccine is the result of years of energy and commitment from Merck; the generosity of Canadas federal government; leadership by WHO; strong support to test the vaccine from both NGOs such as MSF and the countries affected by the West Africa outbreak; and the rapid response and dedication of the DRC Minister of Health. Without these efforts, it is unlikely this vaccine would be available for several years, if at all.

Read more about the Vaccine Alliance, and how you can contribute to the improvement of access to vaccines globally - in our Impact Story.

There is a clear recognition from the G20: If we leave any country behind, we will all be behind, Saudi Finance Minister Mohammed al-Jadaan told the closing news conference.

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COVID-19: What you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic on 23 November - World Economic Forum

The Baltimore Ravens are on a short week and scheduled to play the undefeated divisional rival Pittsburgh Steelers this Thursday on Thanksgiving, but a recent development has put this holiday matchup in jeopardy. On Monday, the Ravens registered multiple positive tests for COVID-19, and have shut down their facility. The team learned of the positive tests on Sunday night hours after falling to the Tennessee Titans in overtime, 30-24, and have been communicating with the league.

Ravens head coach John Harbaugh stated that running backs Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins have tested positive and will not be available for Thursday night's game against the Steelers. Gus Edwards, who rushed for 130 yards against the Steelers in Week 17 of the 2019 season, is slated to start on Thanksgiving Day. Additionally, defensive tackle Brandon Williams is also being placed on the team's reserve/COVID-19 list.

The Ravens released a statementon their currentCOVID-19 situation.

"Late last night, we were informed that multiple members of the Baltimore Ravens organization tested positive for COVID-19, and those individuals immediately began to self-quarantine. We have started the process of contact tracing, and during this time, the Under Armour Performance Center will be closed, with all team activities conducted virtually. We will continue to work closely with and follow guidance from the NFL, team doctors and our medical trainers."

Harbaugh said that Thursday night's game between the Ravens and Steelers remains on schedule as of now. Depending on how quickly the Ravens can identify close contacts from the infected individuals, the game could indeed be played. As ESPN's Kevin Seifert noted, if the NFL finds any "high-risk" close contacts among the Ravens, the required five-day isolation period would force those players to miss Thursday night's important matchup.

This may be the most difficult obstacle the league has been forced to work around up to this point concerning the ongoing pandemic. As the Titans played the Ravens on Sunday, they will certainly also be forced to undergo additionally testing to see if the virus has spread.

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Multiple Ravens test positive for COVID-19, complicating matters ahead of Thanksgiving night game vs. Steelers - CBS Sports

The Reggaeton superstar was scheduled to perform his hit "Dkiti" with Jhay Cortez live for the first time at Sunday's AMAs.

Bad Bunny is feeling fine and has not had significant symptoms so far, according to his rep.

The multi-platinum artist won two AMAs, "Favorite Male Artist -- Latin" and "Favorite Album -- Latin" for his sophomore solo album, "YHLQMDLG."

He also used the event to premiere a new Flamin' Hot Crunchy Cheetos commercial in honor of his partnership with the company for the "Deja Tu Huella" (Leave your mark) campaign.

Cheetos is giving back to the Hispanic community via a $500,000 commitment in collaboration with the artist's Good Bunny Foundation.

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Bad Bunny tested positive for Covid-19 and had to skip AMA performance - CNN

Los Angeles County on Friday ordered restaurants and nonessential stores to close their doors to the public at 10 p.m. and place a cap on the number of people allowed at outdoor gatherings a maximum of 15 people from no more than three households. Its part of an attempt to slow the dangerous spread of COVID-19.

Here are the details:

With COVID-19 spreading at a rapid rate, officials have warned that other public health interventions may become necessary to stem transmission. Among those contingencies:

L.A. officials said they are alarmed by the rapid spread of the infection. For the two-week period that ended Thursday, average daily cases over a five-day period have doubled, from more than 1,700 cases a day to nearly 3,400 cases a day.

In the most pessimistic scenario, L.A. County could cross a red line as early as Thanksgiving week that would put the region on the cusp of a new stay-at-home order. Officials said they would give three days notice before a new health order would go into effect.

A new stay-at-home measure would be another body blow to businesses struggling to survive amid the pandemic. Officials said they want to keep businesses open but might not have a choice if the outbreaks cannot otherwise be slowed.

At this point, no one should be still underestimating the spread of this virus, nor should anyone be questioning the actions we still need to slow the spread and lessen its impact on our collective health and our local economy, L.A. County Health Officer Dr. Muntu Davis said. With the surge in transmission of COVID-19 in Los Angeles County, it is safe to assume that many people are infected without even knowing it yet.

Meanwhile, California public health officials on Thursday announced a limited nighttime stay-at-home order starting this weekend that is designed to reduce opportunities for disease transmission with the goal of decreasing the number of hours individuals are in the community and mixing with individuals outside of their household.

In other words, its intended to discourage social gatherings such as late-night meals at outdoor restaurants and private parties.

Heres what the mandatory order does:

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New L.A. COVID-19 restrictions: What you need to know - Los Angeles Times

The man told the hikers it was the "law" to wear masks, saying they were selfish and "completely irresponsible" before spitting at them.

The Ashburnham Police Department provided CNN with a one-minute long video of the incident. CNN is not showing the video at this time.

Police did not provide the identity of the women who took the video. CNN cannot confirm what happened prior to the beginning of the video.

Police say an older man and woman approached the two women.

In the video, the man can be heard asking "You're not wearing a mask?" when one of the women interrupts him.

"I don't care, I'm not gonna wear a mask when I'm outside."

"That's not the law, that's not the law," the man responds, as the camera pans up from the ground to show the man walking away.

Moments later, he turns around and says "Selfish is what it is, completely irresponsible."

"OK, thank you so much for your input," the woman responds.

The man keeps walking away, but pulls his mask down, turns around and begins to walk back toward the women. The woman with him tries to grab his arm and stop him but he walks toward the other hikers.

"OK, I have Covid," he says spitting twice at the women who are just feet away. "I have Covid, I've been tested positive," he adds, spitting at the women again.

"Are you OK?" one of the women asks.

"No, you won't be soon," he replies, spitting at them once more.

"Stop it!" the man's hiking partner says to him, as he laughs and walks back to her.

He laughs and adds "That's arrogant, completely arrogant," as he hikes away.

The man could face a misdemeanor charge of assault and a charge of false threat of a biological agent, which is a felony, depending on what the facts reveal, Ashburnham Lt. Chris Conrad told CNN.

CNN's Amir Vera contributed to this report.

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Massachusetts man tells two hikers he has Covid-19 and then spits on them for not wearing masks, police say - CNN