August 13 coronavirus news

In Chicago’s West Englewood neighborhood – which has been plagued with violence and trauma – residents have been working for years to transform their community from surviving to thriving, one block at a time. 

And then came Covid-19.

More than six months in, the pandemic continues to disproportionately impact communities of color in the US.

“Look at the amount of Black Americans that are dying from Covid. And let’s look at the fact that these communities just are lacking resources and opportunities,” said CNN hero Robbin Carroll, whose community-led nonprofit, I Grow Chicago, has been embedded in West Englewood since 2013.

Through its Peace House and surrounding campus, the organization helps provide anything the community wants and needs to improve residents’ lives – from fresh food and employment assistance to afterschool and wellness programs. 

Now, in the wake of Covid-19, the organization’s efforts are more crucial than ever. 

“We know that we are in a community that is very vulnerable … and that they would be extremely hard-hit,” Carroll said. “We needed to step in and just provide even more supplies and comfort and security.”

Read more about Carroll and the impact of recent events on the community:

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Through violence, the pandemic, and the fight against injustice, the 'Peace House' is providing comfort and resources for its Chicago community

Venezuela reported 1,281 new Covid-19 cases on Thursday, the highest daily increase in infections, according to the country’s Vice President Delcy Rodriguez.

The total number of confirmed cases in Venezuela stands at 8,725.

Rodriguez said there were 18 new Covid-19 related deaths on Thursday, raising the total number of confirmed fatalities since the start of the pandemic to 259. 

Venezuela has seen an increase in Covid-19 cases over the past few weeks. Thursday was the fourth day in a row the country reported its highest daily number of cases.

Japan reported 1,177 new cases of Covid-19 and 10 deaths on Thursday, according to the country’s health ministry.

The new infections bring Japan’s nationwide confirmed total to 52,929 cases, with 712 from the Diamond Princess cruise ship.

The number of deaths stands at 1,086, with 13 from the ship.

Thursday marks the first day in four days that the number of daily cases has risen back over 1,000.

On Thursday, the capital Tokyo counted 206 new infections, while Osaka had 177 cases.

Okinawa prefecture, which has the highest number of infections per capita, extended its own state of emergency for another two weeks, while adding 97 new infections.

Dr. Scott Atlas listens as President Trump speaks during a news conference at the White House in Washington, DC on August 10.

An advisor to President Donald Trump on coronavirus has said that “young people are not at risk for serious disease” from Covid-19.

 Dr. Scott Atlas made the comments to Martha MacCallum Thursday night on Fox News.

Fact check: Adults are more likely to become seriously ill from Covid-19, but children can get sick, and have serious complications. 

Rare complications: The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently reported at least 570 cases of children with MIS-C, a rare but serious coronavirus complication in children that has been associated with fever, rash, inflammation and shock. Ten of those children died.

Increased virus rates in kids: There has been a 90% increase in the number of Covid-19 cases among children in the United States over the last four weeks, according to an analysis by the American Academy of Pediatrics and the Children’s Hospital Association released this week. 

“It’s not fair to say that this virus is completely benign in children,” said Dr. Sean O’Leary, vice chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Infectious Diseases, noting that about 90 children have died in the US from coronavirus.