A Grateful Dead cover band's shows in Santa Cruz County may have resulted in a COVID-19 outbreak, infecting all its members and much of the crew present. The Los Angeles-based band Grateful Shred played two shows last weekend at the Felton Music Hall in Felton, a small town in Santa Cruz County. Shortly after the show, the band shared on Instagram that "nearly all of the band and crew" have tested positive and are recovering at home. It wasn't clear how many members were fully vaccinated, though their post implied many or all were. "If you were at any of these events, please get a test and if you're feeling sick, stay home," wrote the band in the Instagram post Sunday. "Apparently the vaccine does not prevent transmission. But fortunately, it does seem to really help in reducing sickness and preventing hospitalization." Fans in the Instagram comments section, riffing off the band's name, called it the "Grateful Spread." KGO reports that at least four other people in …
Hospital beds could fill up in a week if a Covid-19 cluster grows ‘uncontrollably’: Ong Ye Kung
SINGAPORE - Singapore had to move back to phase two (heightened alert) and tighten Covid-19 restrictions to prevent the healthcare system from being overwhelmed, said Health Minister Ong Ye Kung. Mr Ong was addressing attendees in an opening speech at the Healthcare Scholarships Award Ceremony, which was held virtually on Wednesday (July 28). He noted that the Jurong Fishery Port cluster had led to new cases of Covid-19 in markets around Singapore. He said: "There is a risk that it transmits far and wide in our community, especially to seniors who frequent the markets. A quarter of them remain unvaccinated and they are at risk of falling very ill if they are infected with Covid-19." Mr Ong added that although Covid-19 patients are now occupying only a handful of intensive care unit (ICU) beds, "we have already opened up close to 70 beds, which is double from two weeks ago, and we are preparing to open up more". Hospitals have also added about 1,000 isolation beds and …
Federal law doesn’t prohibit Covid-19 vaccine requirements, Justice Department says
(CNN) Justice Department lawyers have determined that federal law doesn't prohibit public agencies and private businesses from requiring Covid-19 vaccines -- even if the vaccines have only emergency use authorization, according to an opinion posted online Monday. The opinion from the department's Office of Legal Counsel paves the way for more federal agencies and businesses to require vaccinations. The Department of Veterans Affairs announced on Monday that it will require many of its front-line health care workers to be vaccinated against Covid. The VA is the first in the federal government to require shots among its workers. Some colleges, both public and private, are requiring their students to get vaccinated before returning this fall. Governments -- particularly the state of California and New York City -- are also previewing plans to require vaccines for certain public workers. Biden jumps into vaccine mandate debate as VA …
Thailand builds Covid-19 hospital in Bangkok’s Don Mueang airport amid surge in cases
BANGKOK - Thai volunteers on Wednesday (July 28) turned a cargo warehouse at Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport into a 1,800-bed field hospital for Covid-19 patients with less-severe symptoms, as the country deals with its biggest outbreak to date. The South-east Asian nation reported a daily record of 16,533 new cases, plus 133 new deaths on Wednesday, bringing the total accumulated cases to 543,361 and 4,397 deaths. Workers drilled walls for toilet installations and set up beds and blankets. "This is a level 1+ field hospital where it can receive a large number of patients, who have less-severe symptoms," Dr Rienthong Nanna, director of Mongkutwattana Hospital, told Reuters. "But if patients' conditions deteriorate, they will be moved to our other field hospital called Pitak Rachan (Protect the King) Field Hospital," he added. Dr Rienthong, a retired major-general and an ultra-royalist leader, said the field hospital was not up and running yet, as more preparations were needed. …
Nerve changes in eyes can help confirm ‘long Covid’; Mental health issues tied to Covid-19 death risk
The following is a roundup of some of the latest scientific studies on the novel coronavirus and efforts to find treatments and vaccines for Covid-19. Changes in eyes help confirm long COVID diagnosis Changes in nerve fibres in the eyes can help confirm a diagnosis of "long COVID" - debilitating symptoms that persist more than four weeks after recovery from the acute illness, according to new findings. Because nerve fibre damage is suspected to underlie some of these lingering symptoms, ophthalmologists used a non-invasive technique called corneal confocal microscopy to check for nerve damage in the cornea. In their study of 40 Covid-19 survivors - most of whom had not been sick enough to need extra oxygen - and 30 uninfected individuals, the researchers found "significant associations" between nerve fibre loss in the cornea and the presence and severity of long COVID symptoms related to nerves, muscles and bones. The corneal changes were most evident in patients with …
Vaccinate anyone who wants a Covid-19 shot, says Philippines’ Duterte
MANILA - Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte ordered his government on Wednesday to open the coronavirus vaccination campaign to anyone who wants a shot as his country scrambles to protect the population from more transmissible variants. With only 6per cent of the Philippines' 110 million people fully vaccinated against Covid-19, millions remain vulnerable to infection. The government is aiming to fully immunise up to 70 million people before the year ends. "Give the vaccines to those who want to be vaccinated," Duterte said in a late-night address, expressing concern over the contagious Delta variant, which is ripping through Southeast Asia, now a global epicentre for the virus. It was not immediately clear if his directive meant that the vaccines could now be given to Filipinos not included in the government's priority groups. Given limited supplies, it is prioritising healthcare workers, elderly, people with existing medical conditions and working age adults. …
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Thailand reports daily record of 17,669 Covid-19 cases
BANGKOK - Thailand reported on Thursday (July 29) a daily record of 17,669 new coronavirus infections, bringing the total number of cases to 561,030 since the start of the pandemic last year. The country also reported a record 165 Covid-19 deaths, also a daily record, bringing the total number of fatalities to 4,562. Meanwhile Thai volunteers on Wednesday turned a cargo warehouse at Bangkok's Don Mueang Airport into a 1,800-bed field hospital for Covid-19 patients with less severe symptoms, as the country deals with its biggest outbreak to date. Workers drilled walls for toilet installations and set up beds and blankets. "This is a level 1+ field hospital where it can receive a large number of patients, who have less severe symptoms," Dr Rienthong Nanna, director of Mongkutwattana Hospital, told Reuters. "But if patients' conditions deteriorate, they will be moved to our other field hospital called Pitak Rachan (Protect the King) Field Hospital," he added. Dr Rienthong, a …
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Isolated Myanmar calls for international help as Covid-19 cases surge
Myanmar's military ruler is looking for greater cooperation with the international community to contain the coronavirus, state media reported on Wednesday, as the Southeast Asian country struggles with a surging wave of infections. Senior General Min Aung Hlaing called in a speech for more cooperation on prevention, control and treatment of Covid-19, including with fellow members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and "friendly countries", the Global New Light of Myanmar reported. Myanmar has been in chaos since the military ousted an elected government led by Aung San Suu Kyi on Feb 1, with regular protests and fighting between the army and newly formed militias. Various countries including the United States and Britain have imposed sanctions on Myanmar's military rulers over the coup and the repression of pro-democracy protests in which hundreds have been killed. The junta leader said vaccinations needed to be increased, through both donated doses and by …
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5 new active Covid-19 clusters, including a local bakery in Jurong
SINGAPORE - Five new Covid-19 clusters have surfaced, one of which involves workers in a home-grown bakery in Jurong. The Ministry of Health (MOH) said in an update on Wednesday (July 28) that six cases have been linked to a new cluster at the Home's Favourite bakery at Jurong Food Hub and there is likely ongoing transmission at the premises. The bakery, located at 15 Jalan Tepong, will be closed from July 29 to Aug 12 for deep cleaning and to reduce the chances of transmission. All staff will also be tested and placed on quarantine. The four other new clusters are linked to individual cases, and range from one to three new cases in each cluster. In total, there are currently 44 active clusters in Singapore. The Jurong Fishery Port cluster stands at 932 cases and remains the largest active cluster to date. MOH is extending free Covid-19 testing to those who have visited Taman Jurong Market and Food Centre at 3 Yung Sheng Road between July 13 to 27. [[nid:538452]] This …
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Cancer patients and other severely immunocompromised people can now get Covid-19 vaccination in Singapore
SINGAPORE - People who are severely immunocompromised can now receive the Covid-19 vaccine, said the Expert Committee on Covid-19 Vaccination on Wednesday (July 28). Updating its recommendation for this group, the committee said data has shown vaccination is safe and can protect immunocompromised people - who face greater risk of complications from Covid-19 - against infection and severe disease. In a statement, the committee also recommended that people who have recovered from Covid-19 receive one dose of a vaccine under the national vaccination programme at least three months after the date of infection. This is sooner from the six months previously . The Moderna and Pfizer-BioNTech/Comirnaty shots - both mRNA vaccines - are offered under the national programme. Immunocompromised patients should obtain a memo on their suitability to receive a jab from their doctor before getting vaccinated, the committee added. They are: - Patients with active cancer on treatment …