November 27 coronavirus news

For the first time in more than two weeks, the US on Friday reported a slight decline in the number of people being treated in the hospital for coronavirus, according to the Coronavirus Tracking Project.

However, it’s not clear if the data being reported was disrupted because of the Thanksgiving holiday, the CTP said. Some states and territories did not update their reports at all on Friday, including Delaware and Florida. Many others reported only incomplete data for the day.

Organizations collecting data on coronavirus expected to see a dip for Thanksgiving and the following three to four days, with an increase in reported cases of diagnoses, hospitalizations and deaths expected on Tuesday, Wednesday and possibly beyond next week.

Hospitalizations have been hitting steady records throughout November. The US surpassed 80,000 daily hospitalizations on Nov. 19 and set new records for 17 days straight until Friday, according to CTP.

The US Federal Aviation Administration said Friday that it had supported “the first mass air shipment” of a Covid-19 vaccine.

The FAA said it is working with manufacturers, air carriers and airports to provide guidance on regulations to safely transport large quantities of dry ice in air cargo.

Vaccines like to be kept cool -- Pfizer's Covid-19 vaccine has to be deep-frozen, meaning it requires large amounts of dry ice to keep it at approximately minus 75 degrees Celsius.

Read more about the challenges with distributing vaccines here.

The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department will not enforce the county’s new stay-at-home order, which prohibits all public and private gatherings outside a single household starting Monday. 

What's the background? Those comments follow an announcement from the Department of Public Health that all public and private gatherings with people outside a single household will be prohibited for three weeks in Los Angeles County starting Monday.

The order comes days after the county reported a record number of new Covid-19 infections, the highest number of deaths in months, and increased hospitalizations.

County health officials are urging all residents to stay home as much as possible and to wear face coverings when they are outside, even when exercising at parks and beaches. Those measures will be in effect until Dec. 20.

US President-elect Joe Biden will leave it to health experts to decide who gets the Covid-19 vaccine first, Dr. Celine Gounder, a member of Biden’s coronavirus advisory board, said Friday.

There will likely be a limited supply of coronavirus vaccine doses available immediately after a vaccine is authorized by the US Food and Drug Administration.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Advisory Committee for Immunization Practices (ACIP) will recommend groups to receive the vaccine first.

“That’s where it gets a bit more political and frankly, this is where the President-elect is leaving it to the public health experts and scientists to figure out how best to allocate the limited supply first.”

The ACIP called an emergency meeting for Dec. 1, where they will vote on the very first group to get a vaccine. 

The coming coronavirus surge will be “destabilizing” for the United States, according to a health expert.

Health experts are predicting a surge in Covid-19 cases following Thanksgiving, beyond the record-breaking numbers the US is currently experiencing.

Hotez said without a national program in place, hospitals are being overwhelmed.

“We know when hospital staff starts to get overwhelmed, that's when the death rates really go high,” he said. “This is this what happened in New York in March and April. It’s what happened in southern Europe in March and April. It’s what's happening now as we speak in the US.”

Hotez said the consequences will extend beyond health.

“This is going to be very destabilizing for the country, not only in terms of health but also our economy, as well as our homeland security,” he said.

The Irish cabinet on Friday approved the easing of tough coronavirus restrictions that were reimposed on businesses in October, according to state broadcaster RTE. 

The relaxing of the rules means all retail outlets, hairdressers, museums, libraries, and gyms can reopen on Tuesday, Dec. 1. Restaurants and pubs will be permitted to reopen on Friday, Dec. 4, provided they serve meals, RTE reported. 

The cabinet also agreed to lift restrictions on household gatherings for the Christmas period. From Dec. 18 to Jan. 6, up to three households can gather indoors and people will be able to travel freely across the country, according to RTE. 

Martin added that restrictions won't be eased for so-called wet pubs, or bars that don't serve food. These can remain open only to serve takeaway drinks. 

The Irish government will ask people to wear masks in crowded outdoor spaces, and the question of travel to Northern Ireland will be reviewed when the government meets between Dec. 18 and Jan. 6. 

All public and private gatherings with people outside a single household will be prohibited for three weeks in Los Angeles County starting Monday to curb an unprecedented spread of coronavirus, the Department of Public Health announced in a news release.

The order comes days after the county reported a record number of new Covid-19 infections, the highest number of deaths in months, and increased hospitalizations.

County health officials are urging all residents to stay home as much as possible and to wear face coverings when they are outside, even when exercising at parks and beaches.

While beaches, trails, and parks remain open, only gatherings from a single household will be allowed. Under the new order, playgrounds and cardrooms will also be closed.

According to the news release, the maximum occupancy for essential businesses will be reduced to 30%. Occupancy will be shrink to 20% for nonessential businesses, personal care services, and libraries. Businesses operating outdoors, including fitness centers, zoos, botanical gardens, and batting cages, will be reduced to 50% maximum capacity.

The new health order will be in effect until Dec. 20.

Carlos Gimenez, Miami-Dade County's former mayor and congressman-elect, tweeted that he and his wife have tested positive for Covid-19.

Gimenez said he will continue to attend New Member Orientation virtually until he can resume a normal schedule.

Gimenez also thanked all “the incredible health care workers who are tirelessly dedicated to their patients.”

Prior to winning the 2020 election for Congress, Gimenez was the mayor of Miami-Dade County. Gimenez will now serve Florida's 26th congressional district.

After a spike in complaints about airline refunds when the Covid-19 pandemic first struck, the US Department of Transportation unveiled on Friday a rule that will impact how travelers claim mistreatment.     

The rule formally defines the words “unfair” and “deceptive” – two legal terms governing how airlines and ticket agents may interact with customers. It also says passengers need not prove an airline’s intent when claiming a violation. The Transportation Department said the rule formalizes the way it has interpreted those words in the past.  

The rule matters because it now gives travelers specific language to cite in their claims.  

Airlines had asked for the rule and said a formal definition would provide regulatory certainty. Southwest said the rule would benefit the economy. Spirit Airlines said with the lack of a rule, “the Department can levy punitive fines on carriers for practices allegedly violating ill-defined regulations.” However, the carriers did ask for changes the Transportation Department did not incorporate. Spirit, for example, asked for regulators to change a word to make the rule less subjective.  

But the department also noted consumer advocacy groups, several lawmakers, and two members of the Federal Trade Commission argued the definitions “were either unnecessary or weakened consumer protection.” The FTC shares jurisdiction over travel agents with the Transportation Department.  

The rule change got underway in February 2019, more than a year before formal claims against airlines spiked as the pandemic spread and flights were canceled. Customers said the airlines resisted refund requests and only provided vouchers for a later flight or avoided providing compensation by changes to the fine print.