Category: Covid-19

The Denver Zoo will reopen to the public this week and multiple COVID-19 safety measures and practices will be in place, including social distancing and limits on lines and capacity.

After being closed since March 17 to help battle the spread of COVID-19, the zoo will reopen Wednesday and Thursday for members only Member Gratitude Days and to the general public starting Friday.

In accordance with the latest guidance from Local and State officials, the Zoo has implemented sweeping operational changes to create a healthy environment, and ensure the safety of its guests, employees and animals, according to a Monday news release.

All guests over the age of 3 will be required to wear face coverings as mandated by Denver officials.

We are beyond thrilled to welcome back our community of friends and neighbors who have stood by our side and provided such crucial, meaningful support while we were closed, said Bert Vescolani, zoo president and CEO, in the release. But we remain vigilant in our obligation to protect this community, and have gone through exhaustive planning and preparation so that our guests can feel safe and comfortable while connecting with our 3,000 animals.

The following are some of the new safety measures at the Zoo:

Guests will also be asked to do their part and follow zoo safety guidelines.

The zoos newest attraction Stingray Cove opens in mid-June. Shopping and dining has been modified at the zoos 80-acre campus. The zoo will continue to update its policies and procedures as needed.

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Denver Zoo reopening to public with multiple COVID-19 safety measures in place - The Denver Post

COVID-19 and Hot Weather: Separating Fact from Fiction

With hot weather approaching the JIC partners would like to illuminate the facts regarding COVID-19, Coronaviruses, and high temperatures. It is not yet known whether weather and temperature affect the spread of COVID-19. Some other viruses, like those that cause the common cold and flu, spread more during cold weather months but that does not mean it is impossible to become sick with these viruses during other months. There is much more to learn about the transmissibility, severity, and other features associated with COVID-19 and investigations are ongoing. Generally, coronaviruses survive for shorter periods at higher temperatures and higher humidity than in cooler or dryer environments. However, there is no direct data regarding this topic for this virus, nor is there direct data for a temperature-based cutoff for inactivation at this point. The necessary temperature would also be based on the materials of the surface, the environment, etc. Regardless of temperature please followthe Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) guidance for cleaning and disinfection.

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Cerro Gordo's daily COVID-19 update: COVID-19 and hot weather - Mason City Globe Gazette

Google is continuing to build more helpful new features into Google Maps to assist people trying to navigate around cities that have begun emerging from the COVID-19 pandemic. When you look for public transit directions, youll now see relevant alerts from transit agencies about mandatory precautions youll need to take such as wearing a face covering. And if a public transit line is temporarily suspended due to the ongoing COVID-19 response, youll hopefully get a heads-up about that, too.

Maps is making it easier to see how crowded a train station usually is, but since that historical data might not necessarily apply right now, youve still got the option of viewing live data for crowdedness.

Simply search for a station in Google Maps or tap on the station on the map to see the departure board and busyness data, where available, Maps product director Ramesh Nagarajan wrote in a blog post. Google Maps pulls this anonymized information from people who have enabled location history on their Google account. The company notes this setting is off by default, but Googles apps make a habit of encouraging you to turn it on for the best experience.

Additional alerts are also coming to driving mode, which will notify you about COVID-19 checkpoints and restrictions along your route, like when crossing national borders (starting first in Canada, Mexico, and the US). Google will show these alerts on the main directions screen and also after navigation has started if your route will be impacted.

And lastly, when you enter a medical facility or COVID-19 testing center as your destination, Google Maps will nudge you to do a bit of quick research to make sure you wont be turned away once you get there. An appointment may be required for COVID-19 testing here, is one example of this alert, which will roll out beginning this week for medical facilities in Indonesia, Israel, the Philippines, South Korea, and the US.

Back in March, Google Maps began encouraging users to call their doctors if they were experiencing novel coronavirus symptoms before going to hospitals and other sites. This came during the surge of COVID-19 cases worldwide, when some health facilities were getting overwhelmed. Google has also put greater emphasis on takeout and delivery food options in the app while many restaurants remain closed to dine-in customers.

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Google Maps adds new COVID-19 alerts as more cities reopen - The Verge

BRANSON, Mo. -- The Taney County Health Department released information about a case of COVID-19 exposure in the Branson area.

The patient does not live in the Branson area, only visited.

Possible Exposures:-Branson Zipline at Wolf Mountain in Walnut Shade -Saturday, May 30 between 2:30 -3:30 p.m.-Track #4 at The Track Family Fun Parks in Branson- Saturday, May 30 between 4-6:30 p.m.-Mellow Mushroom at the Branson Landing- Saturday, May 30 between 9:15 p.m. -10:15 p.m.-Maurices at Tanger Outlets Branson- Sunday, May 31 between 11 a.m. to noon.

If you visited any of these establishments during these days and times, your risk of contracting COVID19 is considered low. However, you should monitor for symptoms for 14 days following the date of potential exposure.

Symptoms include:-Fever or chills-Cough-Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing-Fatigue-Muscle or body aches-Headache-New loss of taste or smell-Sore throat-Congestion or runny nose-Nausea or vomiting-Diarrhea

If you experience any of these symptoms, please contact your physician.

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Taney County Health Department releases possible COVID-19 exposure in the Branson area - KY3

As the world begins to unlock, many of us will be seeing friends and family again - albeit with guidelines on how close you can get to one another. But why is it more difficult to stay physically apart from friends and family than a stranger in a supermarket queue? Nicola Davis speaks to Prof John Drury about the psychology of physical distancing and why we like to be near those we feel emotionally close with

How to listen to podcasts: everything you need to know

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Covid-19: the psychology of physical distancing - podcast | Science - The Guardian

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Don't click the link: BBB warns of COVID-19 contact tracing scam in Oregon, nationwide - KPTV.com

A nail salon industry group says it will sue Gov. Gavin Newsoms office to get court-ordered guidelines for salons to reopen and a targeted reopening date.

This comes after nail salon owners told NBC Bay Area they were outrage to learn the governors prior assertion community spread of COVID-19 started in a nail salon was wrong. Potential community transmission may have occurred earlier, state health officials say.

Pro Nail Association, a nail industry organization based in Irvine, took to the streets Monday to make the announcement about their efforts to file the lawsuit. Mike Vo, an attorney with the association, says nail salon owners feared the governors comments would cause anti-Asian backlash against the already wounded industry, thats largely owned by minority individuals.

There are a lot of people in the community who are now nervous about entering a nail salon, and the governors statement was completely unfounded, Vo said.

NBC Bay Area has reached out to Governor Newsoms office several times after first reporting on the issue Friday. Newsoms office has not responded to our questions but shared our inquiry with the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

A CDPH spokesperson told NBC Bay Area Monday:

The first known community spread of COVID-19 in California was detected in a nail salon. However, as some counties review autopsies, we are beginning to learn that potential community transmission may have been taking place earlier than previously known, and before the CDC had developed adequate testing capacity and protocols.

Tam Nguyen with Nailing It for America, a nail industry advocacy group, says CDPHs statement further angered his community because it did not address their concerns.

[Newsoms] statement was erroneous and irresponsible, Nguyen said.

Pro Nail Association plans to file their lawsuit by the end of next week.

See the article here:

Nail Salon Group to Sue Governors Office Over COVID-19 Claim - NBC Bay Area

AUGUSTA, Maine The Mill Administration announced its "Keep Maine Healthy" plan on Monday that seeks to help small businesses and Maine's tourism economy amid the coronavirus pandemic.

The new plan will provide out-of-state visitors an alternative option to the 14-day quarantine requirement: proof of a recent negative COVID-19 test.

The COVID-19 pandemic has loomed large over our states tourism industry. Many Maine people are fearful that more visitors will increase the spread of the virus while many small businesses are fearful that a lack of visitors will force them to permanently close their doors, Gov. Janet Mills said in a statement. It is my hope that by creating layers of protection to reduce the risk of transmission of the virus this plan will protect public health, establish Maine as a safe place to visit, and allow tourists to come to Maine to support our small businesses.

The Mills Administration says plan rests on three cornerstones:

The plan was floated last week to business owners and the Maine Department of Health and Human Services used feedback from businesses to develop the official plan.

RELATED: Mills Administration says plan to rollback quarantine would encourage tourists to visit Maine

RELATED: Mills' new 'COVID passport' plan could help out-of-staters avoid 14-day quarantine

Tourism businesses have been urging the Administration to drop the 14-day quarantine requirement. Last month, seven tourism industry groups across Maine wrote an open letter to Mills urging her to lift the quarantine requirement.

Maines tourism industry rakes in $9 billion each year and supports upwards of 110,000 jobs, according to the letter. This year, businesses have been bracing for their toughest summer tourism season yet.

It's a dire situation, Tony Cameron with the Maine Tourism Association said. "It's incredibly urgent to act and try to find alternative solutions so we can welcome as many people as we can."

RELATED: Maine tourism groups call for an end to 14-day quarantine rule for out-of-state visitors

Maine people and businesses should be proud that their commitment to public health and science-based precautions has limited the spread of COVID-19, Jeanne Lambrew, Commissioner of the Maine DHHS said. As we enter the summer months, Maine is prepared to support visitors as well as residents of our state in keeping Maine healthy.

Here's a breakdown of the plan:

Testing as an Alternative to Quarantine:

The State will allow adults who obtain and receive a negative COVID-19 test no later than 72 hours prior to arrival forgo the 14-day quarantine upon arrival in Maine. This test indicates that, even when coming from areas with a higher prevalence of the disease than Maines, such individuals are unlikely to have COVID-19 and to spread it to Maine residents and other visitors. Maine is strongly urging visitors to Know Before You Go, meaning they should get tested and receive their test results in their home state before traveling to Maine, which will allow them to take appropriate action depending on the result. Individuals may be tested upon arrival in Maine as well, but they must quarantine while awaiting the results.

Additionally, the State will exempt residents of New Hampshire and Vermont from the testing and 14-day quarantine requirement altogether because, when adjusted for population, the prevalence of active cases of COVID-19 in these states is similar to that in Maine. There is no other state with as low of prevalence of COVID-19 within a 12-hour drive. Meanwhile, the prevalence of the virus in states like Massachusetts, New York, and New Jersey where nearly half of Maines tourists historically originate is eight to eleven times higher than the population-adjusted cases in Maine. This exemption is effective immediately for travel and effective June 12th for stays in lodging establishments. The State will continue to evaluate possible additional exemptions based on trends in other states.

People who are not residents of Maine, New Hampshire or Vermont and are visiting Maine will be asked to sign a Certificate of Compliance indicating either that they have received a negative COVID-19 test result, that they will quarantine in Maine for 14 days, or that they have already completed their quarantine in Maine. This compliance form must be provided to check-in at all Maine lodging, campgrounds, seasonal rentals, overnight camps, and other commercial lodgings, such as Airbnb. Visitors may be asked to furnish proof of the negative test result upon request. It will become effective July 1 (Stage 3) when lodging establishments may begin serving residents outside of Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. The Department of Economic and Community Development, in conjunction with the Department of Health and Human Services, has prepared a draft form for public feedback and will finalize it in the coming week. Signing a compliance form in order to stay in lodging establishments is also a policy employed by both the states of New Hampshire and Vermont.

Increasing symptom checking:

Given that at least half of all people with COVID-19 show symptoms, the State will encourage symptom checks through State and local systems, as well as through the private sector, like those the State has already required for some COVID-19 Prevention Checklists utilized by Maine businesses.

DHHS will partner with the Maine Community College System to enlist Maine students in the health professions under the guidance of the Public Health Nursing Program to ask visitors in high-traffic places in tourist destinations, such as visitors centers and beach parking lot entrances, about such symptoms and to offer advice on staying well. Additionally, the Department of Transportation will place signs at key sites such as along major roadways entering Maine, State Parks, or State Ferries instructing people to stay home or seek medical care if they have symptoms of COVID-19. These signs will also include the requirement that most out-of-state visitors quarantine or get tested for COVID-19. High-density private sector businesses, such as museums and retail stores, will be encouraged to use symptom checks as well.

Supporting local public health and COVID-19 prevention efforts:

Recognizing that municipalities are on the front lines for community questions and concerns related to COVID-19 and that many municipalities would like to partner with the state to be part of the solution, the State will incentivize municipalities to develop and implement their own COVID-19 prevention and protection plans by reimbursing municipal costs associated with public health education and prevention activities. The State will support up to a total of $13 million statewide from the 100 percent federal Coronavirus Relief Fund. Local prevention and education plans should include a point of contact for the municipality or Tribal government and one or more of the following:

Throughout this process, Maine CDC will monitor epidemiological data, as it has throughout the entire reopening process, including case trends, hospitalization rates, and reports of COVID-like symptoms, as well as health care readiness and capacity. If a review of these metrics in their totality and in context finds evidence of a concerning increase in COVID-19, the State reserves the right to move swiftly to limit harm and protect Maine people, including the potential of rolling back some sector-specific re-openings in a community or region.

--

At NEWS CENTER Maine, were focusing our news coverage on the facts and not the fear around the illness. To see our full coverage, visit our coronavirus section, here:/coronavirus

NEWS CENTER Maine Coronavirus Coverage

RELATED: WATCH LIVE 2PM: Governor Mills leads state coronavirus update

RELATED: Keep ME open: Adam Clark Fitness is burning calories outside

RELATED: Group suing Gov. Mills over COVID-19 order files preliminary injunction in York County

RELATED: State to quadruple COVID-19 testing capacity with expanded IDEXX partnership

RELATED: Maine Bicentennial events postponed to 2021

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Proof of negative COVID-19 test can be ticket into Maine, Mills announces - NewsCenterMaine.com WCSH-WLBZ

On Monday, hundreds of free COVID-19 tests were administered at the Shenandoah County Fairgrounds by the Lord Fairfax Health District of the Virginia Department of Health.

The district, which covers Winchester and the counties of Clarke, Frederick, Page, Warren and Shenandoah, was hoping to reach more people who may have been exposed to the coronavirus, said District Health Director Dr. Colin Greene.

By late morning, he said health care workers had administered 150 tests.

Were ready to do 500 tests, he said.

Planning to offer more free tests around the region in the coming weeks, he said they started in Woodstock because of the high number of cases in the county.

Shenandoah County also has the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the district, with 484 confirmed cases as of Monday. So far, 50 patients in the county have been hospitalized and 24 have died, the Virginia Department of Health reported at its website, vdh.virginia.gov/coronavirus.

Statewide, the VDH was expecting an increase of 2,372 cases on Monday, up from the probable 2,251 cases it reported on Friday.

It expected an increase of 31 hospitalizations on Monday and 104 deaths, compared with Fridays numbers of an additional 30 hospitalizations and 103 deaths statewide.

On Monday, Frederick County was reporting 409 total cases since the pandemic started, including 26 hospitalizations and four deaths.

Page County reported 245 cases so far, with 26 hospitalizations and 24 deaths.

Winchester reported 235 cases, 15 hospitalizations and two deaths.

Warren County reported 220 cases, 14 hospitalizations and four deaths.

Clarke County reported 25 cases, three hospitalizations and no deaths.

Uncertain why numbers were particularly high in Shenandoah County, Greene said reasons could include outbreaks in areas where people are in close contact or instances of people spreading it around the county.

This is a disease of proximity, he said.

Though Shenandoah is largely rural, Greene said that population centers around the county can offer an avenue for the virus to spread.

COVID-19 stands for coronavirus disease 2019, the year it was identified. The virus is spread through saliva and mucous droplets that people spread when they cough, talk, sing or sneeze, Greene said. A person catches the virus by being close to someone when they spread the infection or by touching a surface that has been infected. The virus is then transferred to themselves through the mouth or eyes.

Though the commonwealth has eased up on social-distancing restrictions in recent weeks as the rate of increase has dropped, Gov. Ralph Northam has enforced Phase Two of a multi-phase reopening plan that mandates people wear masks inside public buildings and still maintain 6 feet of distance between each other wherever possible while in public.

Greene said offering free tests is a way of reaching under-served populations that might avoid health care facilities because of financial or travel challenges.

From statistics, we do see that the Hispanic populations around Virginia have gotten a higher number of cases per group than any of the other groups, Greene said. The estimate is somewhere around a third of the cases.

Thats significant, he said, since its so much higher than the percentage of Hispanic people in Virginia. The U.S. Census Bureau reported a 9.6% Hispanic or Latino population in Virginia as of July 1, 2019.

Greene said it could be for cultural or housing reasons that Hispanic populations are more greatly affected by the virus since infected people might be living or working among close family and friends.

The free tests are available to anyone and take less than 10 minutes from the time someone drives up to the time they leave, he said. Patients must register when they arrive so the health department has someone to contact with results, Greene said.

Were not in any way interested in if someone has official [residency] documents, he said. The health department doesnt ask those questions

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Hundreds of free COVID-19 tests administered at fairgrounds - Northern Virginia Daily

The effect of large-scale anti-contagion policies on the COVID-19 pandemic  Nature.com

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The effect of large-scale anti-contagion policies on the COVID-19 pandemic - Nature.com