Fauci says Santa Claus is immune to COVID-19

According to Dr. Anthony Fauci, Santa Claus is coming to town, and thankfully, has “innate immunity” to the novel coronavirus infection.

NJ could receive 130K doses of Pfizer vaccine next month if emergency use granted, governor says

New Jersey expects to receive 130,000 doses of Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine by next month if it's approved for emergency use by the U.S. government, according to Governor Phil Murphy.

US COVID-19 testing strained again heading into holiday season

COVID-19 testing delays are happening as the country braces for winter weather, flu season and holiday travel, all of which are expected to amplify a U.S. outbreak.

Lessons from 1918 influenza should remind us to alter our holiday behavior

Dr. Nancy Tomes, a Stony Brook University history professor, said that during the influenza pandemic, people were encouraged to shop early for the Christmas holidays, as part of the effort to reduce density in stores and prevent the return of the Great Flu.

U.S.-Canadian border closure extended through Dec. 21

The U.S.-Canadian border will remain closed to non-essential travel for at least another month through Dec. 21 as Covid-19 cases surge across America. 

What does emergency use for a coronavirus vaccine mean?

The first COVID-19 vaccines to be given in the U.S. are expected to get a green light from regulators under a process known as emergency use authorization.

Newsom imposes curfew on most of California as COVID-19 cases surge

California has issued a "limited" stay-at-home order for all counties in the Purple Tier in the state's COVID-19 reopening metrics, which is more than 90% of the state. The order will put a curfew in place for counties in the most restrictive tier from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily and will take effect Saturday.

Pennsylvania's new requirements on testing, mask wearing go into effect on Friday

Pennsylvania's new "targeted and strategic actions" go into effect this Friday and include testing requirements for interstate travel and strengthened mask requirements.

Group of Philadelphia restaurant owners sue city over indoor dining restrictions

The attorney for the group of 15 restaurant owners filed a lawsuit Thursday arguing the city's "Safer at Home" restrictions are in violation of their constitutional rights.

Local woman starts mask tree in her neighborhood to help combat coronavirus

One woman spends her mornings stocking the tree outside her Harrowgate home in Kensington and then again in the evening. It’s not a Christmas tree but it does bear gifts — potentially lifesaving ones. 

COVID-19 ‘immune memory’ could last at least 6 months, study suggests

According to the study, immunity to the coronavirus infection may last for at least six months, and potentially much longer, after a person was initially infected.

More than 900 of Mayo Clinic’s staff sickened with COVID-19

The Mayo Clinic reported that 905 Midwest staffers were diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last two weeks, according to spokesperson Kelley Luckstein.

DeSantis says Florida will make vaccines available to residents, but won't mandate them

"Our goal is to make all safe and effective COVID vaccines available to Floridians who want them, but the state will not mandate that Floridians take these vaccines," DeSantis said. "That's going to be the choice of each and every Floridian."

FDA authorizes second COVID-19 treatment drug to be used in combination with remdesivir

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency use authorization (EUA) Thursday for the drug baricitinib, in combination with remdesivir, for the treatment of suspected or laboratory confirmed COVID-19 in hospitalized adults and pediatric patients two years of age or older requiring supplemental oxygen, invasive mechanical ventilation or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Commissioner Danielle Outlaw quarantining after staff member tests positive for COVID-19

Philadelphia Police Commissioner Danielle Outlaw is in self-quarantine after a member of her staff recently tested positive for the coronavirus, according to officials.