Montclair, NJ|News|
NJ Senator Blasts COVID Lockdowns, Cites Controversial Study
A new study claims that lockdowns weren’t nearly as effective as expected when it comes to preventing COVID-19 deaths.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Coronavirus Across America
The most interesting coronavirus news and features from across the United States.
Across America|News|
Risky Pandemic Driving Behind 12% Spike In Traffic Deaths: Report
A new government report projects 31,720 people died in the first nine months of 2021, a 12 percent increase over the same period in 2020.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
COVID Staffing Shortages Cause Schools To Turn To Volunteers
States loosen teaching requirements, giving schools more hiring flexibility as COVID-19 exposures, illness and quarantines thin staff ranks.
Across America|News|
Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccines For Kids Under 5: Things To Know
Pfizer and its partner BioNTech asked the FDA to approve a two-dose coronavirus vaccine regimen for children 5 and younger.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
NJ Will Restore ‘Raided’ COVID Fund; Immigration Activists Cheer
Gov. Phil Murphy said the state will replenish a fund that gives financial aid to people “excluded” from unemployment and stimulus checks.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Montclair, NJ|News|
NJ ‘Excluded Immigrant’ Fund Was Set Up To Fail, Advocates Say
The idea was simple: Get much-needed funds into the hands of families who are ineligible for other forms of COVID aid. So what went wrong?
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
‘Stealth Omicron’ Subvariant Makes It To U.S.: What To Know
The World Health Organization is watching BA.2, a new variant within the omicron variant, but hasn’t declared it a “variant of concern.”
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
Nation's Independent Eateries Fear Going Broke Without COVID Aid
Some 200,000 independent eateries and bars were left behind in 2021 COVID-19 relief funding. Many are on the brink of closing, group says.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
COVID-19 Omicron Surge Peaks In About Half Of U.S. States: Report
The omicron surge is waning nationwide, giving health experts a glimmer of hope the COVID-19 pandemic is entering a more manageable phase.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
Immigrant Rights Advocates Blast NJ For ‘Raiding’ COVID Fund
A fund meant to help “excluded” New Jersey residents is out $34 million. It’s “beyond comprehension,” the Legislative Latino Caucus said.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
Omicron Surge Undermines Care For Other Health Problems
Omicron surge swamps hospitals with record numbers of COVID-19 patients and causes frightening moments for people sick with other ailments.
Across America|News|
Starbucks, Other Big Companies Suspend Vaccine, Test Requirements
With Supreme Court ruling, Starbucks, General Electric and Amtrak are among companies ending vaccine and testing requirements.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
Here’s Why Newark And ‘K-Pop’ Are Trending Online
A popular boy band from South Korea will put on a concert in Newark, which has some of New Jersey’s toughest coronavirus mandates.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
White House To Distribute Free N95 Masks: Where To Get Them
Americans will be able to pick up free N95 masks at the same places they got vaccinated against COVID-19.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
Get Free COVID-19 Tests Now In Soft Launch Of Government Website
American households can order up to four rapid antigen coronavirus tests Wednesday as part of an effort to ease national shortage.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
COVID Deaths For Vaccinated Workers Plummet: United Airlines CEO
About 3,000 United Airlines employees are currently positive for COVID-19. But no vaccinated employee is currently hospitalized.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
White House Pledges 10M COVID Tests A Month To Keep Kids In Class
The Biden administration promises schools 10 million more free COVID-19 tests per month to keep kids in the classrooms amid omicron's surge.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
Is ‘Deltacron’ A New COVID-19 Hybrid? 5 Things You Need To Know
Researchers in Cyprus say they’ve found a strain of coronavirus that combines the characteristics of delta and omicron. Should you worry?
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
Fake COVID-19 Tests Are Latest — But Not Only — Coronavirus Scam
Scammers are exploiting the shortage of over-the-counter COVID-19 tests, the FTC says. They’re easy to avoid if you ask the right questions.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Birmingham, AL|News|
COVID-19 Cases Rise Again In Alabama, New Daily Record Set
Alabama set a record for daily COVID-19 cases Monday, but medical officials remain optimistic about the state's hospitalization stats.
Michael Seale, Patch Staff
West Orange, NJ|News|
NJ Is Seeing 'Omicron Tsunami' As COVID Cases Rise, Governor Says
Gov. Murphy: A new mega COVID-19 testing site will help get a handle on just how bad an “omicron tsunami” is impacting the Garden State.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
FDA Authorizes Boosters For Kids 12-15: What Happens Next
Pfizer Boosters For Kids 12-15: What The Food and Drug Administration authorization moves boosters for children ages 12-15 a step closer.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Montclair, NJ|News|
Mask Mandates Return To New Jersey As COVID Spreads
More cities and towns in New Jersey have announced indoor mask mandates. Some are citing the omicron variant as one of the reasons.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
West Orange, NJ|News|
COVID Testing Megasite In East Orange Will Serve All NJ Residents
The CDC is bringing a free coronavirus testing site to New Jersey to help slow the spread of COVID-19, including the omicron variant.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
New COVID-19 Cases In U.S. Soar To Highest Levels On Record
More than a year after the coronavirus vaccine rollout, new cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. have soared to the highest level on record.
Across America|News|
COVID-19 Hospitalizations Among Children Up Nationwide
Pediatric hospitalizations for COVID-19 are increasing nationwide as the omicron variant finds a new target — unvaccinated children.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
Newark Will Require Vaccine Proof To Enter Many Businesses, Bars
The city’s latest COVID mandate will start on New Year’s Eve. It will affect restaurants, bars and other businesses – see the list here.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
Pfizer At-Home COVID-19 Pill Gets FDA Green Light As Virus Surges
Authorization of the at-home treatment comes as U.S. health officials worry a tsunami of COVID-19 infections will overwhelm hospitals.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
Parents, Schools Face Another Reckoning Over COVID-19 Cases
The quick spread of the omicron coronavirus variant has stirred another angst-ridden conversation about in-person versus online school.
Across America|News|
Biden Pledges 500,000 Home Tests To Confront Omicron Surge
For the first time, the government will send free COVID-19 tests directly to Americans, after more than a year of urging by health experts.
Across America|News|
With Home Tests Hard To Find, How To Have A COVID-19-Free Holiday
Demand is outpacing the supply of rapid COVID-19 tests as the highly contagious omicron coronavirus variant dominates in the United States.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
Omicron Dominates In U.S.; 73% Of New COVID-19 Cases: CDC Data
The CDC estimates the omicron variant accounted for 73 percent of COVID-19 infections last week, a sixfold week-over-week increase.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
COVID-19 Booster Shots Are Best Defense Against Omicron Variant
With only 61 percent of Americans fully vaccinated and 28 percent boosted, officials worry about the ability to fight a fifth COVID-19 wave.
Beth Dalbey, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
Masks Are Back: Newark Indoor Mandate Returns As COVID Spikes
Masks must be worn at all times while indoors at any public facility. The latest decree comes amid the rise of omicron, officials said.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
Sen. Cory Booker Of NJ Says He Has Breakthrough COVID Case
“I’m beyond grateful to have received two doses of vaccine and, more recently, a booster,” the senator said.
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Across America|News|
OSHA Vaccine Mandate Penalties To Start Jan. 10
The announcement came after the U.S. Court of Appeals decided Friday that the mandate for large employers could go forward.
Across America|News|
Pfizer, Moderna Vaccines Safer Than J&J: CDC Cites Blood Clots
The recommendation comes after new data indicates an increase in blood clotting complications among those receiving the Janssen vaccine.
Megan VerHelst, Patch Staff
Birmingham, AL|News|
First Case Of Omicron Variant In Alabama Confirmed
The first Alabama case of the omicron variant of the coronavirus has been confirmed by health officials.
Michael Seale, Patch Staff
Newark, NJ|News|
New Jersey Marks Anniversary Of First COVID Vaccine: Video
Gov. Phil Murphy: “Over the last year, we have learned that vaccines are the best tool we have in preventing hospitalizations and death.”
Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff
Across New York, NY|News|
Justices Won't Block Vaccine Mandate For NY Health Workers
Appeal filed by doctors, nurses and other medical workers who say they are being forced to choose between their jobs and religious beliefs.
