US unemployment claims jump to 861,000 as layoffs stay high

The number of Americans applying for unemployment aid rose last week to 861,000, evidence that layoffs remain painfully high despite a steady drop in the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases.

NY Assemblyman says Cuomo is smearing him to distract his critics

A Democratic lawmaker says New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has vowed to “destroy” him following criticism of the governor’s handling of COVID-19 outbreaks at nursing homes.

Life expectancy drops a year in U.S. amid pandemic, most since WWII

Life expectancy in the United States dropped a staggering one year during the first half of 2020 as the coronavirus pandemic caused its first wave of deaths, health officials are reporting.

Grocery workers feeling expendable after COVID-19 vaccine delays

As panicked Americans cleared supermarkets of toilet paper and food last spring, grocery employees gained recognition as among the most indispensable of the pandemic's front-line workers.

Despite supply issues, Javits Center surpasses 50,000 COVID vaccinations

New York City is once again dangerously close to running out of COVID-19 vaccines, thanks to winter weather across the nation. However, despite the supply issues, the Javits Center hit a vaccine milestone on Wednesday.

Pfizer says lab test indicates diminished antibody response by its COVID-19 vaccine to South Africa variant

Despite the results of the in vitro lab test, the company said that there is still no clinical evidence from human trials that the South African mutation reduces the overall protection of the vaccine.

Maryland resident dies after contracting Brazil COVID-19 variant: health officials

Maryland health officials have confirmed a case of COVID-19 in a resident that was caused by the new P.1 variant, which is commonly known as the Brazil variant of the coronavirus.

FEMA to open 4 community vaccine sites in New York

The community-based vaccination sites will be located in Buffalo, Rochester, Albany, and Yonkers.

LI school district goes remote after spike in COVID-19 cases

An outbreak of COVID-19 cases has led to sports and extracurricular activities at Manhasset Secondary School being put on hold immediately, with officials blaming gatherings that led to the increase in cases.

New York sues Amazon over pandemic safety protocols

New York's attorney general claims Amazon failed to provide workers with a safe environment at warehouses in Staten Island and Queens as COVID-19 infections surged nationwide.

NJ university adding more sports while others axe them due to pandemic

The athletic director at Fairleigh Dickinson is planning to increase the number of sports played at the small Division I school a short ride from New York City.

Some New Yorkers journeying far from home to get vaccinated

Some New York residents have complained on social media and to their local lawmakers that they have had to resort to signing up for appointments hours away.