Medicaid enrollment reaches record high during COVID-19 pandemic

A record 80.5 million Americans were enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP by January 2021 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, government data shows.

California to pay off past-due rent for residents, Gov. Newsom says

Gov. Newsom says California will pay off all past-due rent accumulated during the coronavirus pandemic. Here's what you need to know.

Long Island parents continue to protest school mask rule

On Monday, Carle Place school officials and local leaders called once more on Gov. Andrew Cuomo to unmask all children in school.

Daily COVID-19 deaths in US hit lowest point since early pandemic

The U.S. is reaching a pair of encouraging milestones as the COVID-19 pandemic’s grip on the nation continues to loosen. COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. have dipped below 300 a day for the first time since the outbreak's early days in March 2020.

US extends travel restrictions at Canada, Mexico borders through July 21

The U.S. extended restrictions with Canada and Mexico land borders on non-essential travel through July 21 amid the ongoing effort to limit COVID-19.

Nasal spray could potentially treat COVID-19, NIH says

The director for the National Institutes of Health announced on June 15, that significant progress has been made on an experimental nasal spray that may hopefully be used to treat COVID-19.

Nine new pop-up vaccination sites open at NY early voting locations

The sites will be in communities where the vaccination rate is below the state average, and are open for walk-in vaccinations on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Americans lost 5.5 million collective years of life to COVID-19, Pew says

A recent report from the Pew Research Center found that COVID-19 accounted for more lost years of life among Americans than all accidental deaths combined in 2020.

Biden announces 300 million COVID-19 shots given in 150 days

The White House says President Joe Biden will announce 300 million COVID-19 shots have been administered in the 150 days since he took office on Jan. 20.

Many Americans resuming pre-pandemic activities, poll shows

Many Americans are resuming their pre-pandemic activities, like going to bars and restaurants, traveling and attending events, an AP-NORC poll shows.

Delta variant expected to become dominant US strain, CDC says

The delta variant first detected in India will likely become the dominant U.S. strain, the CDC director said — who stressed vaccination to stay protected.

Tokyo Olympics: Japan’s top medical adviser says 'no fans' safest

Japan’s top medical adviser said the safest way to hold the Tokyo Olympics is without fans, seeming to put him at odds with organizers.

Signs of normalcy: NYC, NJ see increased mass transit use, more restrictions ease

Signs of normalcy abound on both sides of the Hudson River with the MTA announcing subway ridership is up and, in NJ, 70% of adults have been vaccinated.

Latinas left workforce more than other demographics amid COVID-19 pandemic, report says

A new report finds that Latinas have left the workforce at rates higher than any other demographic and also have had some of the highest unemployment rates throughout the pandemic.

Lawmakers seek 9/11-style commission to probe COVID-19 pandemic

A push is underway on Capitol Hill and beyond for a full-blown investigation of the coronavirus outbreak by a national commission like the one that looked into 9/11.

New York's graffiti-cleaning program resumes after year-plus hiatus

After 14 months spent watching graffiti accumulate, the NYC Economic Development Corporation is hiring back crew members needed to paint over, power-wash, and scrape tags all over the city.