COVID-19
Updated COVID-19 vaccines expected to be available in September, federal officials say
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is gearing up for a fall vaccination campaign that not only includes updated COVID-19 boosters, but the annual flu shot and the newly approved RSV vaccine. “We’re going to be encouraging Americans to get their COVID-19 vaccine in addition to their annual flu shot, as well as the immunizations for […]
Next generation of COVID-19 vaccines and therapies gets a $1.4 billion boost
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Tuesday announced a $1.4 billion investment in developing the so-called next generation of COVID-19 vaccines and treatments. Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response Dawn O’Connell made the announcement, saying the funding is part of the $5 billion program they hope will […]
Northern Nevada sees spikes in Covid-19 hospitalizations as feds end free vaccines
Across the country, there’s been an increase in Covid-19 hospital admissions, emergency department visits, and positive tests as the virus enters its fourth season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The newest Omicron subvariant, EG.5, accounts for 17.5% of all new cases nationally, more than doubling in less than a month, […]
Paperwork, technicalities lead to thousands of Medicaid denials for potentially eligible Nevadans
New data suggests that 80% of people who have been disenrolled from Nevada Medicaid following covid pandemic era expansion lost benefits for procedural causes – like outdated contact information, not understanding the paperwork, or not completing documents in a specific time frame. That’s higher than the national average, according to KFF, which compiled the data. […]
Long COVID is hurting business; workplace accommodations could help
Three years after the start of the pandemic, millions of working age people still suffer from long COVID-19 and some lawmakers and advocates, including people with long COVID, say not enough is being done to protect their well-being and ensure they can continue to be employed. Proposed federal legislation, better workplace accommodations, and more federal […]
Lawmakers approve $35m in furlough back pay for state employees
More than 14,500 state employees will receive up to 48 hours worth of back pay for furloughs they were forced to take last year. Nevada’s Interim Finance Committee, which approves budget decisions when the full legislature is not in session, on Thursday approved $35 million in employee compensation. The funding is coming from the state’s […]
White House resumes handing out free COVID-19 rapid test kits
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration is once again offering Americans the opportunity to order free at-home COVID-19 rapid tests from the federal government, a program that it had shuttered amid an ongoing stalemate with Congress over additional funding to address the virus. The program will allow each household to order four free COVID-19 tests as […]
Nevada COVID-19, flu vaccinations lag as concerns rise about winter surge
Despite health experts voicing concerns of a “tripledemic” where the new strains of COVID-19, flu and R.S.V. (Respiratory syncytial virus) may collide, vaccine rates are falling short of what health officials would prefer, but Nevada is doing a little better than the national average. White House officials, including the President and the COVID-19 response coordinator, […]
Sisolak weighs lifting property tax caps, cutting sales tax rate, broadening base
Gov. Steve Sisolak, a Democrat seeking reelection, says he won’t raise taxes. But would removing the caps lawmakers imposed in 2005 on property tax amount to an increase? The question drew a chuckle and a lengthy pause from the governor during a phone interview Thursday, a week and a half before voters decide whether he’ll […]
Millions of workers are dealing with long COVID. Advocates call for expanding social safety net.
Emily Withnall caught COVID-19 from her teenager in July 2020. In the more than two years since, the 40-year-old has suffered from debilitating fatigue, spinal pain and heart palpitations. In addition to her primary care doctor, she regularly sees a cardiologist and says her acupuncturist and craniosacral therapy help relieve her pain and the trouble […]
Nevada test scores show some recovery from pandemic losses, but still lag
New standardized test results suggest Nevada students are rebounding from learning losses acquired at the onset of the pandemic, but proficiency is still well below pre-pandemic levels. The Nevada Department of Education on Monday released the 2021-22 performance results for the Smarter Balanced assessments in English Language Arts (ELA) and mathematics. These tests are given […]
COVID-19 vaccine may become annual, like flu shot
WASHINGTON — COVID-19 boosters shots are on track to become as frequent as the annual flu shot, though high-risk people may need more than one dose per year, Biden administration officials said Tuesday. “For a large majority of Americans, we are moving to a point where a single annual COVID shot should provide a high […]