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CORONAVIRUS

Survey: Even as schools reopen, many students learn remotely

Large numbers of students are not returning to the classroom even as more schools reopen for full-time, in-person learning, according to a survey released Wednesday by the Biden administration. The findings reflect a nation that has been locked in debate over the safety of reopening schools during the coronavirus pandemic. Even as national COVID-19 rates continued to ebb in February, key measures around reopening schools barely budged. Nearly 46% of public schools offered five days a week of in-person learning to all students in February, according to the survey, but just 34% of ...

Germany to restrict AstraZeneca use in under-60s over clots

BERLIN (AP) — German health officials agreed Tuesday to restrict the use of AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine in people under 60, amid fresh concern over unusual blood clots reported in a tiny number of those who received the shots. Health Minister Jens Spahn and state officials agreed unanimously to only give the vaccine to people aged 60 or older, unless they belong to a high-risk category for serious illness from COVID-19 and have agreed to take the vaccine despite the small risk of a serious side-effect. The same option will be available to anyone who gets the shot at their GP, ...

Walz to expand vaccine eligibility to Minnesotans over 16

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Gov. Tim Walz will expand vaccine eligibility to all Minnesotans 16 and older next week following a promised increase in weekly doses from the federal government early next month, the governor's spokesman said Thursday. The expansion in eligibility will go into effect on Tuesday, and is expected to coincide with an increase in vaccine supplies from the federal government, according to the governor's spokesman, Teddy Tschann. President Joe Biden has challenged states to make everyone eligible by May, and at least six, including North Dakota, will have reached that ...

Renville County offers COVID vaccination clinic

RENVILLE COUNTY — Beginning Monday, March 22 at 9 a.m., residents up to Phase 1b, Tiers 2 and 3 can schedule an appointment to receive their COVID-19 vaccine on Thursday, March 25. The clinic will run 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Government Services Center in Olivia.  The type of COVID-19 vaccine provided is Moderna. Appointments will be taken online only on a first come, first serve basis at www.renvillecountymn.com.  Residents in these tiers may register for this clinic. By registering for this clinic, residents attest that they meet the eligibility criteria. • ...

Biden says US to hit 100 million vaccine goal Friday

WASHINGTON (AP) — With the U.S. closing in on President Joe Biden's goal of injecting 100 million coronavirus vaccinations weeks ahead of his target date, the White House announced Thursday the nation is now in position to help supply neighbors Canada and Mexico with millions of lifesaving shots. The Biden administration revealed the outlines of a plan to "loan" a limited number of vaccines to Canada and Mexico as the president announced the U.S. is on the cusp of meeting his 100-day injection goal "way ahead of schedule." " I'm proud to announce that tomorrow, 58 days into our ...

Experts: Virus surge in Europe a cautionary tale for US

Optimism is spreading in the U.S. as COVID-19 deaths plummet and states ease restrictions and open vaccinations to younger adults. But across Europe, dread is setting in with another wave of infections that is closing schools and cafes and bringing new lockdowns. The pandemic's diverging paths on the two continents can be linked in part to the much more successful vaccine rollout in the U.S. and the spread of more contagious variants in Europe. Health experts in the U.S., though, say what's happening in Europe should serve as a warning against ignoring social distancing or dropping ...