Even Before Omicron Arrives, Covid Surges Again
Arkansas say its biggest one-day jump in covid cases since September (possibly from delayed testing after Thanksgiving), Indiana is seeing a surge and Vermont's hospitalizations are at a record high. Meanwhile, Amazon is accused of underreporting its covid infection figures.
AP:
Arkansas Sees Its Biggest COVID-19 Case Jump Since September
Arkansas reported more than 1,000 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday in its biggest one-day jump in coronavirus cases since September. The state reported 1,044 new coronavirus cases, bringing its total since the pandemic began to 528,838. The state’s active cases increased by 335 to 5,699. The state’s COVID-19 deaths increased by 12 to 8,667, and hospitalizations increased by 19 to 409. Dr. Jose Romero, the state’s health secretary, said part of the increase may have come from people waiting until after Thanksgiving to get tested. (11/30)
AP:
Vermont Reports Record COVID-19 Hospitalizations
Vermont on Tuesday reported its highest number of hospitalizations from COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic. A total of 84 people were hospitalized, with 22 in intensive care, according to the Vermont Department of Health. Unvaccinated people made up 71% of the hospitalizations and 81% of critical care stays over the last seven days, according to state data. During his weekly virus briefing Tuesday, Gov. Phil Scott urged Vermonters to get vaccinated and get their boosters. (11/30)
AP:
Indiana Medical Groups Plead For More To Get COVID-19 Shots
Indiana’s top medical groups pleaded Tuesday for more people to get COVID-19 vaccine shots as the state is in the midst of a new surge of infections and hospitalizations. Republican Gov. Eric Holcomb is set to renew the statewide public health emergency for another month as the current one expires Wednesday and legislative leaders have pushed back until January taking action on a contentious proposal that included steps toward ending that order. (Davies, 11/30)
On how employers are reacting to covid —
CBS News:
Most Big Employers Say They Are Requiring COVID-19 Vaccinations For Workers
Most large U.S. employers say they now require, or plan to mandate, that their workers get vaccinated against COVID-19, according to a new survey of more than 500 companies by corporate advisory firm Willis Towers Watson. The survey comes as the Biden administration's new rule about workplace vaccinations remains in limbo. Under the regulation, companies with 100 or more employees must require workers to get vaccinated or undergo weekly testing for the disease. (Picchi, 11/30)
Bloomberg:
Amazon Accused Of Underreporting COVID Cases Contracted At Work
Amazon.com Inc. provided “misleading or grossly incomplete” data about the number of COVID-19 infections potentially spread in its U.S. facilities, according to a labor group that is calling on the federal government to investigate the company. Of the almost 20,000 employees the company said contracted the coronavirus last year, Amazon maintains that only 27 potentially caught it at work, according to the group known as the Strategic Organizing Center, which reviewed Amazon’s annual workplace illness and injury disclosures to the Department of Labor. Federal authorities last year required companies to report work-related COVID-19 cases. (Soper, 11/30)
CNBC:
New York AG: Amazon Dropped Covid Safety Protocols In Warehouses
New York Attorney General Letitia James is seeking an emergency court order to force Amazon to implement stricter Covid-19 protocols, arguing the company’s decision to roll back safety measures in at least one of its warehouses leaves employees at a higher risk of exposure to the coronavirus. James sought the motion for relief on Tuesday as part of a lawsuit she filed earlier this year, which claims the online retail giant prioritized profit over worker safety at its New York facilities and retaliated against employees who voiced concerns for their safety during the pandemic. (Palmer, 11/30)
Meanwhile, Pfizer did apply for authorization for boosters for younger people —
Reuters:
Pfizer Seeks U.S. Authorization Of COVID-19 Booster Shots For 16, 17 Year Olds
Pfizer Inc's (PFE.N) Chief Executive Officer Albert Bourla said on Tuesday the company has submitted a request to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration seeking the authorization for its COVID-19 booster doses for use in 16- and 17-year olds. Last week, U.S. regulators expanded the eligibility for a booster dose of Pfizer and partner BioNTech's vaccine to all adults 18 and over, to be given at least six months after the second shot. (11/30)
On the long-term impact of covid —
KHN:
For Older Adults, Smelling The Roses May Be More Difficult
The reports from covid-19 patients are disconcerting. Only a few hours before, they were enjoying a cup of pungent coffee or the fragrance of flowers in a garden. Then, as if a switch had been flipped, those smells disappeared. Young and old alike are affected — more than 80% to 90% of those diagnosed with the virus, according to some estimates. While most people recover in a few months, 16% take half a year or longer to do so, research has found. According to new estimates, up to 1.6 million Americans have chronic smell problems due to covid. (Judith Graham, 12/1)
