WHO advises against use of COVID-19 survivors' plasma to treat patients battling virus
Experts at the World Health Organization recommended Tuesday against using blood plasma from people who have recovered from COVID-19.
WHO: Kids in 5-14 age group account for Europe's highest COVID-19 rates
The WHO's office for Europe said children in the 5 to 14 age group now account for the highest rates of reported COVID-19 infections in the region.
Unvaccinated Illinois residents to pay own COVID-19 hospital bill, state lawmaker proposes
State Rep. Jonathan Carroll is proposing that any Illinois resident who refuses to get the COVID-19 vaccine should pay their own bill if hospitalized with the virus.
COVID-19 variants will keep coming until we can slow transmission of virus
You may want to brush up on your Greek letters. This cycle, of going from one COVID-19 variant to the next, is likely not going anywhere anytime soon, says Dr. Michael Teng, a public health expert from USF.
Italy to enforce COVID-19 vaccine status checks at indoor restaurants, theaters, museums
Italy is making life more uncomfortable for unvaccinated people as the holidays draw near.
Biden: Prescription drugs ‘outrageously expensive’ in US, calls on Senate to act
President Joe Biden pushed his “Build Back Better” agenda, focusing on how provisions of the spending bill would lower the cost of prescription drugs for many.
US to boost COVID-19 vaccine global distribution with $400M investment
“This money will speed efforts both to get shots in arms and to support vaccine manufacturing in low-and-middle-income countries,” USAID administrator Samantha Power announced Monday.
Florida gas prices drop amid omicron variant concerns
Average gasoline prices in Florida dropped four cents during the past week and are expected to continue to fall because of concerns about how the omicron variant of the coronavirus could affect global fuel demand, according to the AAA auto club.
NYC announces new vaccine mandate for all private sector employers
Beginning Dec. 27, all private-sector employers in New York City must require that their employees be fully vaccinated for the coronavirus, announced Mayor Bill de Blasio.
NYC vaccine mandate includes children as young as 5
Children as young as 5 years old will be required to get vaccines in New York City to enter restaurants and other indoor venues.
Oxford scientist behind COVID-19 vaccine says next pandemic may be worse
Professor Sarah Gilbert, one of the scientists behind the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, is warning that more money needs to be devoted to research and preparations.
New COVID-19 testing requirements for inbound international travelers begin Monday
A new rule for all international inbound travelers to the United States has gone into effect Monday.
Injunction denied in healthcare vaccination fight
A divided federal appeals court Sunday rejected Florida’s request to at least temporarily block a Biden administration rule that would require healthcare workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Tampa doctors fear one-two punch as flu cases rise while new COVID-19 strain emerges
Flu cases are on the rise and the most common strain impacting the public right now packs a pretty big punch, doctors said Friday.
Omicron variant: Pfizer running ‘neutralization tests’ with its COVID-19 vaccine
Companies Pfizer and BioNTech are currently running tests in response to the rapidly spreading omicron variant with data likely available in the coming weeks.
Florida announces $12M for first responders' mental health
Talk to many firefighters and they’ll explain that “suck it up and get on the truck” mentality. But as of today, mental health assistance is on the fast track to Florida first responders, to the tune of $12 million.
Omicron variant: South Africa may offer glimpse into the future
The new omicron variant appears to be driving a dramatic surge in South Africa, providing the world a glimpse of where the pandemic might be headed.
Polk State College eliminating $1.2 million in student debt for nearly 1,300 students
A lot of Polk State College students just got an unexpected early Christmas present. On Friday, the college announced that is forgiving 1,300 student loans, covering a variety of expenses from tuition to books to lab fees.
Long-term COVID-19 smell, taste loss could impact millions, researchers say
As COVID-19 continues to spread, researchers say a significant number of people worldwide may face a long-term or even permanent loss of smell and taste as more become infected.
FDA expands emergency use of 2 COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatments to infants
Monoclonal antibodies are proteins made in a lab which copy the human immune system’s ability to fight off harmful pathogens such as the novel coronavirus, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.