December 16, 2022
2 mins read

Masks return in US amid Covid surge

According to the government weekly update, 13.7 per cent of Americans live in communities now rated at “high” Covid-19 community levels, up from 4.9 per cent of the population last week…reports Asian Lite News

Masks in indoor and public settings are back in some parts of the US as Covid-19 cases are soaring, while a recent study by researchers in Hong Kong shows that the explosive growth of infection rates in China could also lead to mutations of the virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), however, is yet to issue any fresh guidelines on masks but Poynter.org quoted CDC Director Dr Rochelle Walensky as saying that it is something that they are actively looking into at the CDC.

“In the meantime, what I do want to say is, one need not wait for CDC action in order to put a mask on,” said Walensky.

Santa Clara County on Thursday moved up to what the CDC deems a high Covid-19 community level, based on case and hospitalisation data, so did Los Angeles County.

According to the government weekly update, 13.7 per cent of Americans live in communities now rated at “high” Covid-19 community levels, up from 4.9 per cent of the population last week.

New York Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Bassett and Education Commissioner Betty Rosa have issued a letter, saying schools should consider encouraging students and teachers to wear masks once again.

“The number of laboratory-confirmed flu cases has nearly tripled over the past three weeks and flu hospitalisations have more than doubled. In addition, Covid-19 continues to pose a significant threat, particularly for unvaccinated or under-vaccinated New Yorkers, as the virus remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States,” read the letter.

“In response, we are urging a community-wide approach, inclusive of schools, to again take precautions this holiday season and winter that can prevent the spread of respiratory viruses and protect young children, older individuals, and those with underlying health conditions,” they added.

A CDC study also found that between January 2020 and June 2022, long Covid was implicated in at least 3,544 deaths in the US alone.

Meanwhile, Beijing has been hit with a significant, and spreading, outbreak – a first for the Chinese capital since the beginning of the pandemic, reports CNN.

“China’s National Health Commission (NHC) gave up trying to keep track of all the new Covid cases, announcing it would no longer include asymptomatic infections in its daily count,” said the report.

It had previously reported these cases, albeit in a separate category from “confirmed,” or symptomatic ones.

ALSO READ: US Senate passes $850 bn defence spending bill

Previous Story

Interest rates raised to highest level for 14 years

Next Story

Biden says Covid-19 cases rising across country

Latest from -Top News

Uganda’s President Museveni to seek reelection

The upcoming general elections will not only determine the presidency but also see voters elect lawmakers to the national assembly Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni is set to seek reelection for another term

Eritrea seeks to end UN probe into abuses

The mandate in question is held by the Special Rapporteur, a position currently occupied by Sudanese human rights lawyer Mohamed Abdelsalam Babiker In a rare and potentially precedent-setting move, Eritrea is attempting

Alps Turn to ‘Swiss Cheese’

Switzerland’s reliance on glacial runoff for hydroelectric power faces growing risk — as glaciers shrink, short-term water flow may rise, but long-term shortages could threaten energy and water supplies. Switzerland’s glaciers —

Burn Notice for Europe

As summer unfolds, Europe is bracing for what may be the first of many extreme heatwaves. Europe braced for its first major heatwave of the northern hemisphere summer on Saturday, with soaring
Go toTop

Don't Miss

US jobless claims drop to new pandemic low

The latest figure was the lowest since March 14, 2020,

First Citizens Bank acquires failed SVB

One of the most prominent lenders in the world of