Gov. Hochul announces COVID-19 pandemic mandates for schools

The newly installed governor of New York said her top priority in the fight against the coronavirus is getting children back to school and making sure they can learn and be safe.

Kathy Hochul takes the helm in New York, vows swift action

Gov. Kathy Hochul made history in New York at midnight. She promised a "fresh, collaborative approach" in state government.

Parent of 12-year-old in ICU urges Polk County to take up mask mandates

The debate over masks mandates in schools was reignited Tuesday night at the Polk County school board meeting. The issue wasn't on the agenda, but parents on both sides of the issue still had a lot to say, including the father of a 12-year-old boy who is in the ICU battling COVID-19.

CUNY faculty protest reopening amid delta variant surge

PSC CUNY, a union that represents 30,000 staff and faculty members, is calling for unvaccinated students and staffers to be tested every 72 hours, rather than every week, which is the university system's current policy.

Family of prison officer who died of the coronavirus sues San Quentin

The 55-year-old Sgt. Gilbert Polanco, who was also was a U.S. Army veteran, was the first employee to die from the virus at San Quentin.

Tampa pediatric nurse, mother of 3, dies from COVID-19

Nikki Bass' life revolved around children; her three girls -- Ally, Sierra and Hannah – and the children she treated at Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Tampa. She wasn't vaccinated and contracted COVID-19 as pediatric cases surged in her hospital. Now, at 38, she's gone and her family is left to pick up the pieces.

Battling cancer and unable to get vaccine, teacher dies from COVID-19 complications

Kelly Peterson was being treated for leukemia and had a compromised immune system. Her doctor decided the vaccine may be too hard on her body and suggested she wait, but despite wearing a mask, she became infected with COVID-19 and died. Her family hopes Kelly's story will inspire others to get vaccinated.

COVID-19 vaccines prevented nearly 140,000 US deaths, NIH study says

The National Institute of Health conducted a study that found if it weren’t for the COVID-19 vaccines, the virus could have killed nearly 140,000 more people in the U.S.

Daily new COVID-19 cases in US near 230,000, Johns Hopkins says

Data collected by Johns Hopkins University on Aug. 24 shows the U.S. recorded nearly 230,000 new COVID-19 cases in 24 hours.

Hawaii governor urges tourists to stay away

Hawaii's governor asked Monday that visitors and residents reduce travel to the islands to essential business only while the state struggles to control COVID-19 as the highly contagious delta variant spreads in the community.

No off-label prescribing COVID-19 vaccines to kids under 12: FDA

Physicians often use off-label prescribing when medical products are approved, a top FDA official said, but that it wouldn't be appropriate in this case.

Fauci expects vaccine uptick, hopes pandemic control could come in spring 2022

Dr. Anthony Fauci said he expects an uptick in vaccination rates following Pfizer’s full approval, and predicted that if enough people do get vaccinated, the country could see COVID-19 under control in the spring of 2022.

Some US schools offering exemption letters, strategies to escape mask and vaccine mandates

Across the U.S., some public officials and other community leaders are trying to help people come up with ways to get exempted from having to wear masks or get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Daily U.S. COVID-19 deaths nearly double in 2 weeks

The rolling seven-day average of daily coronavirus-related deaths in the United States has nearly doubled in the past two weeks.

Decorated Polk County deputy dies from COVID-19

A 32-year-old Polk County deputy and a father of five has lost his ongoing battle with COVID-19, the sheriff’s office announced.

DOD sends military personnel to COVID-19 crushed hospitals in Louisiana, Mississippi

U.S. military medical officers have been deployed to hospitals in Mississippi and Louisiana as both states face devastating surges in COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths amid low vaccination rates.

Do I need a booster if I got the Johnson & Johnson vaccine?

The U.S. is planning booster doses of the Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines but if you got the one-dose Johnson & Johnson shot instead, stay tuned. Health authorities say a booster probably will be needed for that vaccine as well — but they don't have enough data yet to decide.

NYC teachers, staff required to get COVID vaccine with no opt-out option

All New York City public school teachers and other staffers will have to get vaccinated against the coronavirus, officials said Monday.

NJ to require COVID vaccine or regular tests for all school employees

New Jersey will require all preschool through grade 12 teachers, staff and personnel for preschool through grade 12 to be fully vaccinated against the coronavirus by Oct. 18