Coronavirus Updates: Despite Rise in Cases, Texas Governor Says ‘No More Lockdown’



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This is our daily update of the latest COVID-19 news for Monday, November 23, 2020. Previous daily updates can be found here, and updated statistics are here.

New York is in Phase 4 reopening now, which includes zoos, botanical gardens, museums, and gymnasiums, as good as 25% meals inside. Parts of Brooklyn and Staten Island under a zoned stop. Get your questions answeredcan have with our series “Ask an epidemiologist”, or learn more about NYC COVID-19 test options with our explicator. Here are some local and national hotlines for more information: NYC: 311; New York State Hotline: 888-364-3065; NJ State Hotline: 800-222-1222.

Here is the latest:

4.30 p.m. As more states consider restrictions and lockdowns to tackle record levels of viral infections, Texas Governor Greg Abbott on Monday reiterated his opposition to imposing another lockdown in his State.

Speaking on CNBC’s Squawk Box, the Republican governor categorically said, “No more lockdowns in Texas,” when asked about possible business closures.

Earlier this month, Texas became the first state in the country to surpass one million cases of coronavirus. Analysis from Brown University shows that more than 130 counties in the state are considered to have the highest level of risk and are in need of housekeeping orders. The researchers based their assessment on the seven-day moving average of the number of new daily cases per 100,000 population.

The Texas Tribune reported that COVID-19-related hospitalizations had more than doubled since the start of October.

Abbott said earlier this month it would no longer issue a lockdown. “Our focal point will work to cure those who have COVID, get them out of hospitals quickly, make sure they get back to their normal lives,” he told a Dallas radio host, according to the Texas Tribune.

Texas was among the states criticized for reopening its economy too quickly after a series of initial business closures. Abbott, who is an ally of President Trump, has tried to walk a delicate line between heeding public health advice to stem the virus and not offending his party conservatives who are firmly opposed to government intervention.

Yet the urgent public health crisis forced him to take action. After cases rose this summer, he ordered bars to close. He also reversed his stance on a mask warrant and demanded masks for most Texans in early July.

Abbott is currently relying on a two-month-old plan that cuts reopens if the number of COVID-19 patients in an area exceeds 15% of its hospital capacity for seven consecutive days. But some have criticized this threshold as being too low.

Food and beverage establishments face light restrictions. Currently, state law allows restaurants and bars to be open to 75% of their capacity.

Abbott has yet to warn Texans to avoid large indoor Thanksgiving gatherings, as other local leaders and health officials have.

In addition to CNBC, Abbott also appeared on Fox News Monday, in which he ridiculed the push by states to enforce the coronavirus restrictions. He then twisted the recent Oregon law that no longer makes small amounts of cocaine, heroin, methamphetamine and other drugs punishable by jail time.

“So it’s good to have heroin and cocaine but not turkey for Thanksgiving. It’s not American. It just doesn’t make sense,” he said. .

Third major vaccine developer reports high efficacy rate

Anglo-Swedish drugmaker AstraZeneca announced on Monday that its coronavirus vaccine was on average 70% effective, but 90% effective when given according to a specific dosage schedule.

In a study of 131 people infected with the coronavirus, researchers found that two full doses given at least one month apart produced 62% effectiveness, while a half dose followed by a full dose a month later leads to an effective rate of 90%. The company has conducted late stage trials in Britain and Brazil.

AstraZeneca, which works with the University of Oxford, is now the third major vaccine developer to report promising results on its experimental vaccine. Last week, Pfizer and Moderna both said their vaccines were 95% effective in late stage studies. Pfizer submitted an emergency clearance request to the Federal Drug Administration on Friday, a process expected to take several weeks.

But in an important distinction, AstraZeneca’s vaccine is expected to be cheaper than that of Pfizer or Moderna. In its press release, the company said it would seek a list of emergency uses from the World Health Organization to allow for faster distribution in poorer countries.

“The efficacy and safety of this vaccine confirm that it will be very effective against COVID-19 and will have an immediate impact on this public health emergency,” said Pascal Soriot, CEO of AstraZenaca. “In addition, the simple supply chain and our non-profit commitment and commitment to broad, fair and timely access means it will be affordable and available globally, supplying hundreds of millions of doses upon vaccine approval. “

The company said manufacture of its vaccine is already underway, with a total capacity of up to 3 billion doses of vaccine in 2021.

Meanwhile, the United States is on the verge of entering a critical phase of the virus, as Americans prepare for the Thanksgiving holiday. Despite recommendations from public health officials not to travel, the Transportation Security Administration counted more than 2 million people passing through its checkpoints on Friday and Saturday, which was the busiest two-day period since March. according to the Washington Post.

The United States has now recorded a total of more than 12 million coronavirus cases and around 250,000 deaths.

In an alarming sign, the COVID Tracking project reported daily record levels of total hospitalizations across the country as well as an increase in deaths.

Speaking to NBC’s Meet The Press on Sunday, the nation’s leading infectious disease specialist, Dr Anthony Fauci, urged Americans to carefully consider the risk of holiday gatherings. He also said people should not give up trying to contain the virus, but instead maintain the practice of wearing masks and social distancing.

“We must not accept that we cannot do anything about it,” he said. “Putting vaccines aside for a while, which will be extremely helpful, if we implement the simple public health measures I was telling you about, we can mitigate this inflection. It doesn’t have to be that high.



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