Coronavirus news, updates, hotspots and information for 2-25-2021

Coronavirus 411 podcast - news, alerts, and updates on the corona virus COVID 19

This is Coronavirus 411, the latest COVID-19 info and new hotspots… Just the facts… for February 25th, 2021.
A real-world test of Pfizer’s vaccine in more than half a million people in Israel confirms that even after one dose, it’s very effective at preventing serious illness or death. 92% effective at preventing severe disease after two shots and 62% after one. And it was equally effective in young people and those over 70.
The FDA is one step closer to authorizing Johnson & Johnson's one dose vaccine for emergency use. A panel meets tomorrow to make a recommendation. So far, the FDA’s review noted the vaccine to be 66% effective overall in preventing moderate to severe COVID-19 and it has a "favorable safety profile."
Many Covid survivors still wonder, can they get reinfected? A new study from a division of the National Institutes of Health suggests it is possible and it does happen, but it’s still quite rare. A positive antibody test can be associated with a lower risk of a second infection in the future, but it’s still unclear how long this lasts.
With all the positive news around the vaccines, you’d think more people would be embracing them. But Johns Hopkins research show the percentage of people globally who say they’ll get a vaccine has gone down in recent weeks. The average acceptance level across 23 countries is now 63%.
Okay, maybe you’re part of that 63% but you’re still not real sure when, where, or how you can get vaccinated. The CDC has launched a new online tool that might help. You should be able to search for vaccine providers with a supply of vaccine where you live. It’s not perfect. States and counties still have a mishmash of approaches, eligibility requirements, registration processes, and waitlist systems. But if you’d like to give it a try it’s at vaccinefinder.org.
In the United States cases were down 37%, deaths are down 23%, and hospitalizations down 31% over 14 days. The 7-day average of new cases has again started trending up since February 21.
There are now 9,115,931 active cases in the United States. The current top 5 states by number of active cases: California, New York, Florida, Arizona, and Virginia.
The top 10 counties with the highest number of recent cases per capita according to The New York Times: La Salle, TX. Cimarron, OK. Calhoun, TX. Chattahoochee, GA. Bent, CO. Aleutians West Census Area, AK. Charlottesville, VA. Lexington, VA. Linn, KS. And Marengo, AL.
The five states with the highest risk levels and most daily new cases per capita over 7 days are South Carolina, New York, Rhode Island, New Jersey, and North Carolina.
There have been 505,803 deaths in the US reported as Covid-related, with a current national fatality rate of 1.78%.
The states with the most new deaths reported as COVID-related: California 312. Texas 311. Virginia 149. Georgia 137. Florida 130. New York 127. North Carolina 109. New Jersey 99. Pennsylvania 87. And Alabama 84.
The top 3 vaccinating states by percentage of population that’s had at least one dose, Alaska at 21.1%, New Mexico at 19.3%, and South Dakota at 18%. The bottom 3 vaccinating states are Utah at 11.1%, Tennessee at 11.2%, and Texas and Georgia at 11.4%.
Globally, cases were down 19%, and deaths down 25% over 14 days.
There are now 21,877,321 active cases around the world.
The five countries with the most new cases: the United States 75,299. Brazil 65,387. France 31,519. India 17,106. And Italy 16,424.
There have now been 2,495,881 deaths reported as Covid-related worldwide.
For the latest updates, subscribe for free to Coronavirus 411 on your podcast app or ask your smart speaker to play the Coronavirus 411 podcast.
See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.