Undertakers, rabbis join global fight promoting COVID shots
In Germany, Lutheran pastors are offering COVID-19 shots inside churches. In Israel’s science-skeptical ultra-Orthodox community, trusted rabbis are trying to change minds. And in South Africa, undertakers are taking to the streets to spread the word.
US move to shorten COVID-19 isolation stirs confusion, doubt
WASHINGTON — U.S. health officials’ decision to shorten the recommended COVID-19 isolation and quarantine period from 10 days to five is drawing criticism from some medical experts and could create more confusion and fear among Americans.
Flu is making a comeback in US after an unusual year of
The U.S. flu season has arrived on schedule after taking a year off, with flu hospitalizations rising and two child deaths reported.
County expects Thursday will have highest daily case count since the start of the pandemic
Tomorrow may have the highest number of COVID cases in a single day on the Big Island since the beginning of the pandemic, county officials believe.
Omicron, storms disrupt air travel for 4th consecutive day
NEW YORK — Flight cancellations that disrupted holiday travel, stretched into Monday as airlines called off more than 1,000 U.S. flights because crews were sick with COVID-19 during one of the year’s busiest travel periods, and storm fronts added to the havoc.
Omicron spreads global gloom over New Year’s celebrations
BRUSSELS — As omicron spreads ever more gloom around the globe ahead of New Year’s Eve, governments are moving at different speeds to contain the scourge, with some reimposing restrictions immediately and others hesitating to spoil the party again.
Gathering limits to tighten: Mayor tests positive for COVID-19; state sees record surge of cases
Indoor gathering restrictions will tighten yet again on the Big Island after Mayor Mitch Roth, along with several thousand other Hawaii residents, contracted COVID over the weekend.
US officials recommend shorter COVID isolation, quarantine
NEW YORK — U.S. health officials on Monday cut isolation restrictions for Americans who catch the coronavirus from 10 to five days, and similarly shortened the time that close contacts need to quarantine.
Fauci: US should consider vaccine mandate for US air travel
WASHINGTON — Dr. Anthony Fauci, the top U.S. infectious disease expert, said Monday the nation should consider a vaccination mandate for domestic air travel, signaling a potential embrace of an idea the Biden administration has previously eschewed, as COVID-19 cases spike.
Indoor gatherings limited to 10; 50 new cases on island
Indoor gatherings on the Big Island are once again limited to no more than 10 people under a new emergency rule issued yesterday.
Roth tests positive for COVID-19
Mayor Mitch Roth tested positive for COVID-19 over the Christmas weekend, his office said today in a statement.
Federal program offers cash to cover COVID-19 funeral costs
BOSTON — When Wanda Olson’s son-in-law died in March after contracting COVID-19, she and her daughter had to grapple with more than just their sudden grief. They had to come up with money for a cremation.
COVID-19 variant disrupts holiday travel but not shopping
NEWARK, N.J. — The latest COVID-19 variant is upending holiday plans for tens of thousands of travelers — but it didn’t do much damage to holiday shopping.
Nearly 1,400 new COVID cases after record breaking weekend
Nearly 1,400 new COVID cases have been reported statewide today after a record breaking number of new cases over the holiday weekend.
Thousands line up for ‘jingle jabs’ on Christmas in England
LONDON — Thousands of people across England are spending a few minutes of Christmas Day to line up under leaden winter skies to be vaccinated against COVID-19 as the omicron variant fuels a surge in infections across the country.
Another COVID Christmas brings anxiety, but also optimism
Christmas arrived around the world Saturday amid a surge in COVID-19 infections that kept many families apart, overwhelmed hospitals and curbed religious observances as the pandemic was poised to stretch into a third year.
COVID Christmas in French ICU: Fear, fatigue and loving care
MARSEILLE, France — From the intensive care ward in France where he is spending the holidays, COVID-19 patient David Daniel Sebbagh said he has one overriding regret: that he didn’t get vaccinated.
NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn’t happen this week
Aroundup of some of the most popular but completely untrue stories and visuals of the week. None of these are legit, even though they were shared widely on social media. The Associated Press checked them out. Here are the facts:
COVID puts a damper on Christmas Eve again around the world
From Bethlehem and Frankfurt to London and Boston, the surging coronavirus put a damper on Christmas Eve for a second year, forcing churches to cancel or scale back services and disrupting travel plans and family gatherings.
Airlines cancel flights due to COVID staffing shortages
NEW YORK — Airlines canceled hundreds of flights as the omicron variant jumbled schedules and drew down staffing levels at some carriers during the busy holiday travel season.
