Coronavirus

President Joe Biden speaks during a reception in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, March 29, 2023, celebrating Greek Independence Day. (AP Photo / Susan Walsh)

Biden won’t veto Republican-led bill ending COVID emergency

Republicans celebrated the turn of events Wednesday.

 

President Joe Biden talks with reporters on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, after returning from an event in Baltimore on infrastructure. (AP Photo / Susan Walsh)

Biden to end COVID-19 emergencies on May 11

The move would formally restructure the federal coronavirus response.

 

A nurse prepares a syringe of a COVID-19 vaccine at an inoculation station in Jackson, Miss., July 19, 2022. U.S. health officials are proposing a simplified approach to COVID-19 vaccinations, which would allow most adults and children to get a once-a-year shot to protect against the mutating virus. The new system unveiled Monday, Jan. 23, 2023 would make COVID-19 inoculations more like the annual flu shot. Americans would no longer have to keep track of how many shots they’ve received or how many months it’s been since their last booster. (AP Photo / Rogelio V. Solis)

U.S. proposes once-a-year COVID shots for most Americans

The FDA will ask its panel of outside vaccine experts to weigh in.

 

Juneau residents register for COVID-19 vaccinations at Centennial Hall in April of 2021. Bartlett Regional Hospital and other city-owned institutions provided virus tests and vaccinations in a multitude of locations during the pandemic, as well as providing at-home tests and coordinating with other entities such as the Alaska Native-owned SEARHC. (Bartlett Regional Hospital)

Study: Juneau’s COVID-19 response a role model for success

Control of hospital and airport, public communication, coordination with tribes cited as key assets

Juneau residents register for COVID-19 vaccinations at Centennial Hall in April of 2021. Bartlett Regional Hospital and other city-owned institutions provided virus tests and vaccinations in a multitude of locations during the pandemic, as well as providing at-home tests and coordinating with other entities such as the Alaska Native-owned SEARHC. (Bartlett Regional Hospital)
Free At-home test kits are available in Juneau at City Hall and all Juneau public libraries, masks and kits are available to patients experiencing symptoms at Bartlett Regional Hospital and Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

COVID-19 tests still available amid New Year’s celebrations

Respiratory viruses remain at high levels, officials say.

Free At-home test kits are available in Juneau at City Hall and all Juneau public libraries, masks and kits are available to patients experiencing symptoms at Bartlett Regional Hospital and Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
This photo provided by Amy Watson of Portland, Ore., shows her during an iron infusion in December 2022. Watson, approaching 50, says she has “never had any kind of recovery” from COVID-19. She has had severe migraines, plus digestive, nerve and foot problems. Recently she developed severe anemia. (Amy Watson)

Long COVID: Could mono virus or fat cells be playing roles?

Scientists are still trying to figure out why some people get long COVID.

This photo provided by Amy Watson of Portland, Ore., shows her during an iron infusion in December 2022. Watson, approaching 50, says she has “never had any kind of recovery” from COVID-19. She has had severe migraines, plus digestive, nerve and foot problems. Recently she developed severe anemia. (Amy Watson)
Staff Sgt. Travis Snyder, left, receives the first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine given at Madigan Army Medical Center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state, Dec. 16, 2020, south of Seattle. U.S. military forces around the world will no longer be required to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The mandate was lifted under an $858 billion defense spending bill passed by Congress and signed into law Friday by President Joe Biden. (AP Photo / Ted S. Warren)

New law ends COVID-19 vaccine mandate for US troops

WASHINGTON — U.S. military forces around the world will no longer be required to get the COVID-19 vaccine, after the mandate was lifted under an… Continue reading

Staff Sgt. Travis Snyder, left, receives the first dose of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine given at Madigan Army Medical Center at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington state, Dec. 16, 2020, south of Seattle. U.S. military forces around the world will no longer be required to get the COVID-19 vaccine. The mandate was lifted under an $858 billion defense spending bill passed by Congress and signed into law Friday by President Joe Biden. (AP Photo / Ted S. Warren)
This provided by Pfizer in October 2022 shows manufacturing of the company’s COVID-19 bivalent vaccine for ages 5-11. The U.S. on Wednesday, Oct. 12, authorized updated COVID-19 boosters for children as young as 5, seeking to expand protection ahead of an expected winter wave.(Pfizer)

U.S. clears updated COVID boosters for kids as young as 5

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which recommends how vaccines are used, also signed off.

This provided by Pfizer in October 2022 shows manufacturing of the company’s COVID-19 bivalent vaccine for ages 5-11. The U.S. on Wednesday, Oct. 12, authorized updated COVID-19 boosters for children as young as 5, seeking to expand protection ahead of an expected winter wave.(Pfizer)
Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File A Juneau resident receives a COVID-19 booster shot in October 2001.

COVID boosters, flu shots are widely available

Folks looking to get vaccinated against COVID and/or flu have options.

Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire File A Juneau resident receives a COVID-19 booster shot in October 2001.
This August 2022 photo provided by Pfizer shows vials of the company’s updated COVID-19 vaccine during production in Kalamazoo, Mich. New boosters targeting the most prevalent strains of the virus that causes COVID are expected to be available in Juneau starting next week. (Pfizer)

New COVID boosters expected to be available soon

Scheduling for appointments available now

This August 2022 photo provided by Pfizer shows vials of the company’s updated COVID-19 vaccine during production in Kalamazoo, Mich. New boosters targeting the most prevalent strains of the virus that causes COVID are expected to be available in Juneau starting next week. (Pfizer)
This August 2022 photo provided by Pfizer shows vials of the company's updated COVID-19 vaccine during production in Kalamazoo, Mich. U.S. regulators have authorized updated COVID-19 boosters, the first to directly target today's most common omicron strain. The move on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2022, by the Food and Drug Administration tweaks the recipe of shots made by Pfizer and rival Moderna that already have saved millions of lives. (Pfizer)

Should you get a new COVID booster? If so, when?

Answers to “Who’s eligible?” “What’s the difference?” And more.

This August 2022 photo provided by Pfizer shows vials of the company's updated COVID-19 vaccine during production in Kalamazoo, Mich. U.S. regulators have authorized updated COVID-19 boosters, the first to directly target today's most common omicron strain. The move on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2022, by the Food and Drug Administration tweaks the recipe of shots made by Pfizer and rival Moderna that already have saved millions of lives. (Pfizer)
This August 2022 photo provided by Pfizer shows vials of the company's updated COVID-19 vaccine during production in Kalamazoo, Mich. U.S. regulators have authorized updated COVID-19 boosters, the first to directly target today's most common omicron strain. The move on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2022, by the Food and Drug Administration tweaks the recipe of shots made by Pfizer and rival Moderna that already have saved millions of lives. (Pfizer via AP)

CDC endorses updated COVID boosters, shots to begin soon

The new boosters should begin arriving in pharmacies and clinics within days.

This August 2022 photo provided by Pfizer shows vials of the company's updated COVID-19 vaccine during production in Kalamazoo, Mich. U.S. regulators have authorized updated COVID-19 boosters, the first to directly target today's most common omicron strain. The move on Wednesday, Aug. 13, 2022, by the Food and Drug Administration tweaks the recipe of shots made by Pfizer and rival Moderna that already have saved millions of lives. (Pfizer via AP)
Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire William Stich-Smith stands on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol building on Tuesday morning to showcase his pandemic quilt, which he’s currently touring all throughout the country. Alaska marks the 39th state he’s traveled to so far.

Washington teen tours country with his pandemic quilt

A Stich-Smith in time.

Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire William Stich-Smith stands on the steps of the Alaska State Capitol building on Tuesday morning to showcase his pandemic quilt, which he’s currently touring all throughout the country. Alaska marks the 39th state he’s traveled to so far.
This late-April photo shows a damaged sticker on a door at Thunder Mountain High School reminding people to social distance and wear masks inside the building. Masks will not be required in school buildings this year. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)

No mandatory masks or COVID-19 tests for new school year

No mandatory masks or COVID-19 tests for new school year

This late-April photo shows a damaged sticker on a door at Thunder Mountain High School reminding people to social distance and wear masks inside the building. Masks will not be required in school buildings this year. (Ben Hohenstatt / Juneau Empire File)
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discontinued a program of monitoring the COVID levels aboard cruise ships operating in the United States on Tuesday. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)

CDC coronavirus-status program for cruise ships discontinued

Politicians and industry officials lauded the move.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention discontinued a program of monitoring the COVID levels aboard cruise ships operating in the United States on Tuesday. (Michael S. Lockett / Juneau Empire)
Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Since the closing of Capstone Clinics throughout the state, rapid antigen self-tests have become more popular and available as featured in this photo at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library.

Local COVID numbers appear to be declining, but accurate count difficult amid at-home testing

Hospitalizations relatively low and steady.

Jonson Kuhn / Juneau Empire Since the closing of Capstone Clinics throughout the state, rapid antigen self-tests have become more popular and available as featured in this photo at the Mendenhall Valley Public Library.
Excess deaths across Alaska rose above predicted numbers as the pandemic continued to hit the state hard through 2021. COVID-19, as an underlying cause, became the third-largest cause of death. (Associated Press photo)

Report: COVID was Alaska’s third-leading cause of death in 2021

Excess deaths were also way up from predicted numbers.

Excess deaths across Alaska rose above predicted numbers as the pandemic continued to hit the state hard through 2021. COVID-19, as an underlying cause, became the third-largest cause of death. (Associated Press photo)
Pharmacist Kaitlin Harring, left, administers a Moderna COVID-19 vaccination to three year-old Fletcher Pack, while he sits on the lap of his mother, McKenzie Pack, at Walgreens pharmacy Monday, June 20, 2022, in Lexington, S.C. Today marked the first day COVID-19 vaccinations were made available to children under 5 in the United States. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)

Clinics readying to vaccinate new age group of children

CDC clearance for the new age group went out Tuesday.

Pharmacist Kaitlin Harring, left, administers a Moderna COVID-19 vaccination to three year-old Fletcher Pack, while he sits on the lap of his mother, McKenzie Pack, at Walgreens pharmacy Monday, June 20, 2022, in Lexington, S.C. Today marked the first day COVID-19 vaccinations were made available to children under 5 in the United States. (AP Photo/Sean Rayford)
This May 2022 photo provided by Pfizer shows production of the Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for children under 5 in Puurs, Belgium. U.S. health advisers on Saturday, June 18, recommended COVID-19 vaccines for infants, toddlers and preschoolers — the last group without the shots. (Pfizer)

CDC advisers recommend COVID-19 shots for children under 5

Roughly 18 million kids will be eligible.

This May 2022 photo provided by Pfizer shows production of the Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for children under 5 in Puurs, Belgium. U.S. health advisers on Saturday, June 18, recommended COVID-19 vaccines for infants, toddlers and preschoolers — the last group without the shots. (Pfizer)
Divina Rotano, a cashier for the city, provides two COVID-19 rapid antigen self test kits at the entrance counter of City Hall on Thursday. The city is also making 24,000 tests arriving from the federal government this week available at public libraries, the Juneau Police Department and Juneau Public Health Center. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)

More free COVID-19 self-tests arrive as local case spike lingers

24,000 rapid antigen tests available at City Hall, libraries, police station and city health center

Divina Rotano, a cashier for the city, provides two COVID-19 rapid antigen self test kits at the entrance counter of City Hall on Thursday. The city is also making 24,000 tests arriving from the federal government this week available at public libraries, the Juneau Police Department and Juneau Public Health Center. (Mark Sabbatini / Juneau Empire)