Medical
United States drug regulator OKs 2nd coronavirus vaccine, from Moderna
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine, as expected after an independent panel commissioned by the administration recommended its approval earlier this week. [Full Article...]
Congress works through the weekend to finalize COVID aid package
The lawmakers are aiming for a vote Sunday to close out the broad package. On Wednesday, Democratic and Republican lawmakers had also announced that they have made progress in negotiations on the long-awaited coronavirus relief deal. Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Josh Hawley (R-MO) were largely seen as two officials to hold up the bill as they called for leadership to include $1,200 direct p... [Full Article...]
United Kingdom medical officer: New virus variant spreading more rapidly
The national rate for England now stands at 251.2. Much of the the latest focus is on the South and East of England where the new variant is thought to be most prevalent. As in many countries, the situation is fragile". "We have seen many variants - this virus evolves and changes over time", he said. The Daily Telegraph newspaper said it was possible ministers could announce an emergency tou... [Full Article...]
Moderna's Covid-19 vaccine approved for emergency use in the United States
Officials push back on queue jumping: When it comes cutting in line, California Gov. Gavin Newsom has warned the state will be "very aggressive in making sure that those with means, those with influence, are not crowding out those that are most deserving of the vaccines". [Full Article...]
US FDA probing 'about five' allergic reactions to Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine
The vaccines appear to be similarly effective. The FDA decision marks the first regulatory authorisation in the world for Moderna's vaccine and validation of its messenger RNA technology, shown to be almost 95 per cent effective with no serious safety concerns. [Full Article...]
Biden Picks Michael Regan to Run U.S
The President-elect has chosen Michael Regan , who runs the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, to be his nominee to lead the Environmental Protection Agency . Biden's other choices in top climate leadership roles so far include Gina McCarthy , whom the president-elect is expected to name as his domestic climate coordinator, and John Kerry, whom the president-elect has tapped ... [Full Article...]
Irish ambulance crews arrive in Northern Ireland amid overwhelmed health service
Last night, the head of the HSE Paul Reid tweeted a photo of Irish ambulance crews deployed to Belfast. "All of our teams worked well together and our plan is to support our colleagues in the NIAS to maintain service delivery and pre-hospital care during a particularly challenging time for them", the HSE said. [Full Article...]
India's cumulative COVID-19 tests cross 16 crore-mark
The chasm between active cases and recovered cases is continuously widening. Kerala reported 4,969 new cases, marking a daily positivity rate of 8.1% with 60,851 tests. The state's tally has climbed to 2,32,188, including 4,211 deaths and 2,15,528 recoveries. A total of 24,010 new daily cases were registered in a span of 24 hours. [Full Article...]