March 3 coronavirus news

By Zamira Rahim, Kareem Khadder, Hannah Strange and Jessie Yeung, CNN

Updated 0717 GMT (1517 HKT) March 4, 2021
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3:45 p.m. ET, March 3, 2021

Arizona governor orders schools to reopen to in-person learning by March 15

From CNN's Konstantin Toropin

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has issued an executive order that requires schools to offer in-person learning by March 15, according to a statement from the governor's office.

"More than half of Arizona’s schools are open and offering in-person options," Ducey said in his statement. "More schools need to follow their lead and pave the way for equitable education options for every Arizona student."

Ducey emphasized that the CDC and "numerous health officials have said time and time again that schools are safe and kids can go back to the classroom."  

The order mandates that schools return to in-person learning by March 15, or after Spring Break, according to the governor's statement.

The statement says a parent or guardian may choose to continue virtual learning for their child.

The order makes an exception for middle and high schools located in counties with “high” transmission of Covid-19, as defined by the CDC. The statement noted that this currently includes three Arizona counties: Coconino, Yavapai, and Pinal. 

"The CDC is clear that there is a safe pathway for all schools to open at any transmission level, and to stay open if they implement proper mitigation strategies," the governor noted. 

This announcement comes a day after nearby Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced he would be lifting the mask mandate and "opening Texas 100 percent."

3:40 p.m. ET, March 3, 2021

Texas school and childcare personnel now eligible to receive Covid-19 vaccine

From CNN’s Chris Boyette

The Texas Department of State Health Services said Wednesday that school and childcare workers would now be eligible to receive the Covid-19 vaccine, following a directive from the US Department of Health and Human Services.

"Last night, DSHS received a letter from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services directing states to expand eligibility to include people who work in school and child care operations. The federal directive defined the people eligible as 'those who work in pre-primary, primary, and secondary schools, as well as Head Start and Early Head Start programs (including teachers, staff, and bus drivers) and those who work as or for licensed child care providers, including center-based and family care providers,'" Texas Department of State Health Services Said in a statement.

“Providers are encouraged to continue their efforts to vaccinate older adults since the burden of COVID-19 falls most severely on people age 65 and older,” the Texas statement continued.

 

 

3:22 p.m. ET, March 3, 2021

Go There: CNN answers viewers' questions about the rollback of Covid-19 restrictions in Texas

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced he is lifting the state's mask mandate and allowing businesses to open at 100% capacity beginning on March 10, despite health officials' warnings.

CNN correspondent Lucy Kafanov was live in Houston answering viewers' questions.

Watch:

3:05 p.m. ET, March 3, 2021

Indiana expands Covid-19 vaccine eligibility to those 50 and older

From CNN’s Rebekah Riess

Indiana Governor’s Office
Indiana Governor’s Office

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Wednesday afternoon that Indiana is now expanding its eligibility for the Covid-19 vaccination to include those age 50 and older. This comes only one day after the state lowered eligibility to include those 55 and older. 

“With the new J&J approval, we’re obviously able to do more,” Holcomb said, referencing the newly approved Johnson & Johnson Covid-19 vaccine. 

The governor said the state will continue to drop vaccine eligibility based on age, ultimately to age 40. 

Holcomb also announced that he would be receiving the vaccine on Friday, as he has now become eligible. He said he received a strong recommendation from Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box “to walk the walk and not just talk the talk.”

2:38 p.m. ET, March 3, 2021

Biden criticizes Texas and Mississippi governors for lifting Covid-19 restrictions: "Neanderthal thinking"

From CNN's Betsy Klein

Alex Brandon/AP
Alex Brandon/AP

President Joe Biden sharply criticized states lifting Covid-19 restrictions against the pleas from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other top public health officials, accusing those in power of “Neanderthal thinking.”

“I think it’s a big mistake. Look. I hope everybody’s realized by now, these masks make a difference. We are on the cusp of being able to fundamentally change the nature of this disease because of the way in which we’re able to get vaccines in people’s arms,” Biden said when asked about Gov. Greg Abbott and Gov. Tate Reeves’ decisions to relax restrictions in Texas and Mississippi.  

“The last thing – the last thing we need is Neanderthal thinking that in the meantime, everything’s fine, take off your mask, forget it. It still matters," he added.

He referenced a card he keeps in his pocket with the daily death toll of the virus amid his administration’s push to get vaccines into arms. 

Biden, who is meeting with a bipartisan group of lawmakers in the Oval Office on the subject of ending cancer, called on all Americans to continue to follow guidelines despite the mixed messaging from some state officials. 

“It’s critical – critical, critical, critical – that they follow the science: Wash your hands, hot water, do it frequently. Wear a mask and stay socially distanced. And I know you all know that. I wish the heck some of our elected officials knew it,” he told reporters. 

2:00 p.m. ET, March 3, 2021

India's Covaxin Covid-19 vaccine 81% effective against coronavirus

From CNN's Akanksha Sharma and Manveena Suri

A medic with COVID-19 vaccine during the Bharat Biotech's 'Covaxin' human trial after it was approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research, at Maharaja Agrasen Super Speciality Hospital in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, Friday, December 18.(
A medic with COVID-19 vaccine during the Bharat Biotech's 'Covaxin' human trial after it was approved by the Indian Council of Medical Research, at Maharaja Agrasen Super Speciality Hospital in Jaipur, Rajasthan, India, Friday, December 18.( Photo by Vishal Bhatnagar/NurPhoto/Getty Images/FILE

India's Covaxin vaccine is 81% effective against coronavirus, according to early data released Wednesday by Bharat Biotech, the company that developed the drug jointly with the government-run Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

The vaccine's clinical trial involved 25,800 participants between 18 and 98 years old. The efficacy figure is based on an early analysis of 43 Covid-19 cases. Thirty-six cases occurred in participants who got a placebo, compared to seven participants who got the vaccine.

Data indicates the vaccine can also effectively combat the coronavirus variant first spotted in the UK, according to an analysis by the National Institute of Virology, Bharat said in a news release.

“Today is an important milestone in vaccine discovery, for science and our fight against coronavirus…Covaxin demonstrates high clinical efficacy trend against COVID-19 but also significant immunogenicity against the rapidly emerging variants,” said Dr. Krishna Ella, the company's chairman and managing director.

Covaxin is a two-dose vaccine. It is the first Covid-19 vaccine that has been developed in its entirety in India. In March 2020, following the successful isolation of the novel coronavirus virus, the ICMR established a public-private partnership with Bharat Biotech to develop the virus isolate into a vaccine candidate.

Over 40 countries have expressed their interest in Covaxin, including Mongolia, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, Bahrain, Oman, Maldives and Mauritius.

1:33 p.m. ET, March 3, 2021

More than 2,500 reported cases of concerning variants in the US, CDC says

From CNN’s Nadia Kounang

At least 2,581 cases of coronavirus variants first spotted in the UK, South Africa and Brazil have been reported in the United States, according to data updated Tuesday by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The vast majority of these cases, 2,506, are the more contagious variant known as B.1.1.7, which was originally detected in the UK. This variant has been found in 44 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, DC. About a quarter of these were found were in Florida.

In addition, 65 cases have been reported of a variant initially seen in South Africa, called B.1.351, in 16 states and Washington, DC. 

Lastly, 10 cases of the P.1 variant first linked to Brazil have been discovered among five states. 

CDC says this does not represent the total number of such cases circulating in the US, but rather just those that have been found by analyzing positive samples. The agency cautions that its numbers may not immediately match those of state and local health departments.

1:03 p.m. ET, March 3, 2021

Austin city leaders slam Texas governor's decision to lift mask mandate

From CNN's Konstantin Toropin

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott makes an announcement in Lubbock, Texas, on March 2.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott makes an announcement in Lubbock, Texas, on March 2. Justin Rex/AP

The day after Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced he would be lifting the mask mandate and "opening Texas 100%," the leadership of Austin has strong words of opposition to the move.

Austin Mayor Steve Adler said that the move is a breaking of a promise and an attempt to deflect from other issues the governor is facing.

"Governor Abbott said he'd be guided by the science and the data and yesterday he broke that promise," Adler said today at a news conference this morning. 

"There is no explanation for the governor's action other than trying to distract us and the media from the failure of the state to protect us from the power outage," Adler added.

Travis County Judge Andy Brown noted that "with just over 5% of our community vaccinated, this is no time to be lifting the mask ordinance."

Brown said that county and city leaders will "do everything possible to still require masks in any way possible under that order, and under the law."

Brown also noted that some businesses have told him that "they still want to be able to require people to wear masks — they want people to wear masks."

Abbott, however, suggested that business leaders were behind the move by releasing three statements of praise from state business associations in a news release this morning.

"The Governor is striking the right balance by removing the heavy hand of government and allowing businesses to operate as they see fit," Glenn Hamer, CEO of the Texas Association of Business, wrote in his statement.

"As other states in the country keep restrictions in place, Texas will spearhead the economic recovery," Invest Texas Council Chairman Ron Simmons said in the release. 

12:42 p.m. ET, March 3, 2021

Brazil’s largest state to enter most restrictive “red phase” as cases rise

From CNN’s Shasta Darlington and Marcia Reverdosa

Brazil’s largest state Sao Paulo will enter a two-week “red phase” in coronavirus restrictions starting at midnight Saturday, according to Sao Paulo’s governor.

That means all but essential businesses must close, including restaurants, bars, gyms and beauty salons as well as all but essential retail shops. Schools, however, will continue to provide a portion of their classes in-person.

This announcement comes during a particularly difficult week for the nation, as Tuesday marked the highest daily death toll in Brazil, with at least 1,641 people dying in a single day, according to the health ministry.

It also comes as public and private ICUS are near or at capacity across the country, with one-third at the edge of collapse at over 90% capacity, according to federal and state data.

“We are on the verge of a collapse in the health system in Sao Paulo,” Governor Joao Doria said during a press conference to announce the tightening of restrictions. “Urgent, collective measures are needed," he added.