A team of researchers from a German research hospital found that four common cold coronaviruses that infect humans through the same spike protein mechanism that SARS-CoV-2 uses evade the immune system, just like the influenza virus.
But researchers say a good sign for COVID-19 is that the coronaviruses evolved about four times slower than flu viruses.
Still, SARS-CoV-2 is mutating faster than the coronaviruses in the study and is unlikely to slow down until the number of infections around the world drops dramatically.
Vaccine manufacturers such as Moderna, Pfizer, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson are already working on boosters to make their vaccines more effective against variants.
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Here are more headlines from today:
NY, CT across 22 states with an increase of more than 10% in new cases
New York and Connecticut are among the 22 states where the number of new cases has risen by more than 10% week over week, new data from the Department of Health and Human Services shows. Meanwhile, New York and Connecticut are joined by New Jersey on the list of states with the highest national figures (7-day daily average: 310, 225, and 321 per 100,000 residents, respectively). Of these states, New Jersey had the highest RT-PCR test positivity in the past seven days (8.8%).
Increasing cases in Connecticut
The Connecticut State Department of Public Health is reminding residents to remain vigilant against COVID-19 as the number of cases has soared in the past two weeks.
DPH has returned several Connecticut cities that had seen declining or stable COVID-19 case rates to Red Alert status as the average daily number of cases for COVID-19 statewide has risen to 25 cases / 100,000 residents per day .
More than 90% of Connecticut’s population lives in a city with an average daily rate of more than 15 cases per 100,000 residents. It is estimated that 40% of these new cases are the B.1.1.7 variant.
Fauci explains a scenario for when experts can let go of face mask recommendations
If a new study shows that vaccinations prevent the transmission of COVID-19, inoculated Americans could be “much more liberal” in the decision of whether or not to wear a face mask, said Dr. Anthony Fauci, America’s top expert in the field of cancer. infectious diseases.
But he also said he can’t recommend face mask removal until daily COVID infections are drastically reduced.
NJ Transit vaccinates bus drivers, transit workers
New Jersey Transit bus drivers and transit personnel will receive COVID-19 vaccinations on Saturday. All state public transport employees first became eligible on March 15. At least 21 NJ Transit employees have died of complications from the coronavirus, including 11 bus drivers and a train operator.
1st priest in the US to die of COVID remembered
Father Jorge Ortiz-Garay, a Mexican-born pastor in Brooklyn, became the first priest in the United States to die as a result of COVID-19.
Bishop Nicholas DiMarzio will conduct a memorial mass Saturday in Bushwick, Brooklyn, at St. Brigid Church.
5,000 attend a rock concert in Barcelona after COVID-19 screen
Five thousand music fans will attend a rock concert in Barcelona after passing a COVID-19 screening, to test its effectiveness in preventing outbreaks at major cultural events.
The Saturday show has permission from the Spanish health authorities. Concertgoers undergo an antigen test hours before the concert.
Those who test negative can attend the indoor concert and mix freely, although face masks are required. The concert is an expanded version of a December case study, based on a concert for 500 people that organizers said showed no signs of contamination.
NYC COVID Tracking Initiative
NYC is spending $ 600 million on its COVID tracking initiative. More tracers were hired in the first two weeks of March as cases increased sharply in the post-holiday period.
Thanks to the renewed efforts, the city managed to reach at least 90% of the people who tested positive – a goal that had not been achieved since Thanksgiving.
NY unveils digital ‘Excelsior’ pass to help reopen businesses and locations
New York Governor Andrew Cuomo announced on Friday the launch of Excelsior Pass, a free and voluntary platform developed in partnership with IBM that uses safe technology to confirm a person’s recent negative PCR or antigen test result or evidence of vaccination . The goal is to accelerate the reopening of businesses and event venues in accordance with State Department of Health guidelines.
Similar to a boarding pass for a mobile airline, individuals can print or save their pass on their smartphones using the Excelsior Pass Wallet app. Each pass has a secure QR code, which participating companies and locations can scan with an accompanying app to verify evidence of negative COVID-19 test results or proof of vaccination.
Spurred on by lockdown, Spain is trying out a four-day week
The experimentation of reducing one working day per week is about to go nationwide in Spain. A three-year pilot project will use 50 million euros ($ 59 million) from the European Union’s massive coronavirus recovery fund to compensate companies in shrinking their workforce or reorganizing production workflows to adapt to a 32-hour workweek.
While several companies have already embraced the trend, the pandemic has accelerated it. Proponents say shorter schedules could promote work-life balance and three-day weekends could boost consumption. But critics argue that a pandemic-torn economy is no ground for experimentation.
Israelis gather for Passover and celebrate freedom from viruses
Israelis will again hold large family gatherings this weekend to celebrate Passover, the festive Jewish holiday that commemorates the biblical flight of the Israelites from Egypt.
This is thanks to a highly successful coronavirus vaccination campaign that vaccinated 80% of the country’s adult population. The authorities have reopened restaurants, hotels, museums and theaters and allow indoor gatherings of up to 20 people. It’s a stark turnaround from last year, when Israel found itself in the first of three lockdowns, with people largely confined to their homes.
China outlines findings on the origin of COVID, ahead of the WHO report
Chinese officials briefed diplomats on Friday about the ongoing investigation into the origin of COVID-19, ahead of the expected release of a long-awaited World Health Organization report.
The briefing appeared to be an attempt by China to voice its views on the report, which has become entangled in a diplomatic row. The US and others have questioned China’s influence and the independence of the findings, and China has accused critics of politicizing a scientific study.
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