Right here’s what’s taking place Friday with the pandemic within the U.S.:
THREE THINGS TO KNOW TODAY
— After months of serving as a task mannequin within the battle in opposition to COVID-19, California has seen infections race out of control for weeks. It now has the worst coronavirus prognosis price within the U.S. Specialists say quite a lot of components mixed to wipe out California’s previous efforts, which for a lot of the 12 months tamped down on surges and stored the virus at manageable ranges. Cramped housing, journey and Thanksgiving gatherings contributed to the unfold, together with the general public’s fatigue amid rules that closed many colleges and companies and inspired — or required — an remoted way of life.
— Well being officers say they’ve discovered proof in a Florida man of the newest U.S. case of the brand new and apparently more contagious coronavirus variant first seen in England. The Florida Well being Division tweeted a press release late Thursday that the variant was detected in a person in his 20s with no current journey historical past. It comes after current reviews of confirmed instances elsewhere, in Colorado and California. The instances have triggered questions on how the COVID-19 variant circulating in England arrived within the U.S., the place specialists say it most likely already is spreading.
— Ten months into quarantines and dealing from house due to the pandemic, household pets’ lives and relationships with humans have in lots of instances modified. For a lot of canine, pandemic life is life because it was meant to be: People round 24/7, walks and treats on demand, and sneaking onto their mattress at night time. Cats are extra affectionate than ever, some even performing needy for consideration. Lengthy-term impacts aren’t identified.
THE NUMBERS: The seven-day rolling common for every day new deaths within the U.S. decreased within the final two weeks from 2,646 on Dec. 17 to 2,387.7 on Dec. 31, in line with knowledge from Johns Hopkins College.
DEATH TOLL: The variety of COVID-19-related deaths within the U.S. stands at greater than 346,000.
QUOTABLE: “I feel January goes to be worse at this level than we’ve imagined,” mentioned Dr. Don Williamson, the pinnacle of the Alabama Hospital Affiliation after watching Christmas occasions on-line that showcased many individuals not carrying a masks. “We are going to completely reap the whirlwind of latest instances due to our unwillingness to easily do easy issues.”
ICYMI: Authorities have arrested a suburban Milwaukee pharmacist suspected of deliberately ruining hundreds of doses of coronavirus vaccine by eradicating them from refrigeration for 2 nights. The Grafton Police Division mentioned the previous Advocate Aurora Well being pharmacist was arrested on suspicion of reckless endangerment, adulterating a prescription drug and prison injury to property. Advocate Aurora Well being Care Chief Medical Group Officer Jeff Bahr says the pharmacist intentionally eliminated 57 vials containing lots of of doses of the Moderna vaccine from refrigeration in a single day on Dec. 24, returned them, then left them out once more the night time of Dec. 25.
ON THE HORIZON: Congress is ending a chaotic session with a uncommon rebuff by Republicans of President Donald Trump. GOP senators are ignoring the outgoing president’s demand to extend the $600 COVID-19 assist checks to $2,000. They’re poised to override his veto of a significant protection invoice. Trump ally Sen. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina says Congress might strive once more to approve greater COVID-19 assist checks after the brand new session opens Sunday. Senate Majority Chief Mitch McConnell says Congress has supplied sufficient pandemic assist, for now. The stalemate is predicted to tug into the weekend.
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Discover AP’s full protection of the coronavirus pandemic at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic
