Nearly half of Biden’s 500M free COVID tests still unclaimed
WASHINGTON — Nearly half of the 500 million free COVID-19 tests the Biden administration recently made available to the public still have not been claimed as virus cases plummet and people feel less urgency to test.
Some Americans welcome new CDC mask guidance, others wary
CHICAGO — Grace Thomas is fully vaccinated against COVID-19 but still not ready to take off her mask, especially around the kids at the home day care she runs in Chicago.
Green light for hula festival
With COVID-19 case counts on the decline, the 59th annual Merrie Monarch Festival will return to its customary schedule starting on Easter Sunday.
CDC: Many healthy Americans can take a break from masks
Most Americans live in places where healthy people, including students in schools, can safely take a break from wearing masks under new U.S. guidelines released Friday.
County scales back COVID testing sites
Beginning next week, the county will scale back its COVID testing sites as new daily case totals continue to decline.
CDC to significantly ease pandemic mask guidelines today
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration will significantly loosen federal mask-wearing guidelines to protect against COVID-19 transmission on Friday, according to two people familiar with the matter, meaning most Americans will no longer be advised to wear masks in indoor public settings.
As ‘stealth omicron’ advances, scientists are learning more
The coronavirus mutant widely known as “stealth omicron” is now causing more than a third of new omicron cases around the world, but scientists still don’t know how it could affect the future of the pandemic.
US vaccination drive is bottoming out as omicron subsides
HAMILTON, Ala. — A handwritten log kept by nurses tells the story of the losing battle to get more people vaccinated against COVID-19 in this corner of Alabama: Just 14 people showed up at the Marion County Health Department for their initial shot during the first six weeks of the year.
Flight attendants unions want to extend mask mandate on airplanes
Flight attendants want the federal government to extend face mask requirements on commercial airplanes beyond next month’s expiration date, even with pressure growing against mask mandates on planes, airports and elsewhere.
WHO: New COVID cases fall for the 3rd week, deaths also drop
GENEVA — The number of new coronavirus cases around the world fell 21% in the last week, marking the third consecutive week that COVID-19 cases have dropped, the World Health Organization said Tuesday.
HPD looking for recruits for ‘rewarding career’
The Hawaii Police Department is seeking committed men and women to protect and serve the Big Island.
COVID-19 shots unlikely to prompt rare inflammation in kids
COVID-19 vaccines are unlikely to trigger a rare inflammatory condition linked to coronavirus infection in children, according to an analysis of U.S. government data published Tuesday.
US virus cases, hospitalizations continue steady decline
Average daily COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations are continuing to fall in the U.S., an indicator that the omicron variant’s hold is weakening across the country.
Officials cautiously optimistic as omicron cases drop
Even as state and county officials contemplate the end of the pandemic, health officials warn residents to remember the last time COVID-19 cases declined significantly.
Cruise ship arrivals set to increase
This spring, the Big Island will see an increase in the number of cruise ships visiting Hilo and Kona.
Estimated 73% of US now immune to omicron: Is that enough?
The omicron wave that assaulted the United States this winter also bolstered its defenses, leaving enough protection against the coronavirus that future spikes will likely require much less — if any — dramatic disruption to society.
National Guard deploys for new emergency: Teacher shortages
ALAMOGORDO, N.M. — On past deployments Army National Guard Spc. Michael Stockwell surveilled a desolate section of the U.S.-Mexico border during a migrant surge, and guarded a ring of checkpoints and fences around New Mexico’s state Capitol after the January 2021 insurrection in Washington.
Japan PM Kishida eases virus entry ban
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida rolled back some of the developed world’s most stringent virus border measures as he sought to tread a narrow path on pandemic policy that helped bring down his two predecessors.
More virus rules fall as CDC hints at better times ahead
The nation’s leading health officials said Wednesday that the U.S. is moving closer to the point that COVID-19 is no longer a “constant crisis” as more cities, businesses and sports venues began lifting pandemic restrictions around the country.
Big Island COVID-19 infections plummet
New COVID-19 cases on the Big Island dropped to the single digits Wednesday for the first time since December as the omicron surge continues to weaken.
