Daily Archives: January 9, 2022

As lines grow ever longer at COVID-19 testing sites, county health officials are warning that some pop-up operations may be unlicensed and out to scam people.

San Diego County Chief Medical Officer Eric McDonald said he personally encountered an unlicensed testing station near the Old Town Transit Center and could quickly tell it was not legitimate.

Weve seen these pop-up occur somewhat near our county stations and other legitimate testing stations, he said. Its fairly easy to see theyre not legitimate when you ask some very basic questions, like what test do you use, what laboratory are you sending it to, what is your healthcare credential to do this test? It usually requires a license to have a professional gather that kind of specimen.

If they dont have an answer to those questions, walk away, he advised.

Another clue that the site may not be legitimate is if it is advertising a PCR (polymerase chain reaction) DNA test, McDonald said.

And you know that is not right, because the virus is an RNA (ribonucleic acid) virus, he said.

If thats too many acronyms to keep straight, another tip is to walk away from a site that asks for a Social Security number or home address, which McDonald said could indicate a scam to collect personal information.

The pop-ups may be out to collect someones money by providing bogus tests, or they may be providing the tests for free and bilking insurance companies for reimbursements, he said.

The scam isnt unique to San Diego County, and isnt the first of its kind during the pandemic.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General updated its alert on illegal COVID-19 activity last week. Scams can include fake testing kits sold door-to-door and surveys that trick people into revealing personal information.

Fraud related to COVID-19 can be reported to the Health and Office of Inspector General by calling 800-HHS-TIPS (800-447-8477) or online at https://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud/ https://oig.hhs.gov/fraud/report-fraud/

McDonald said the county has reported what appear to be fake testing sites to the California Department of Public Health Laboratory Field Services.

An email to The San Diego Union-Tribune from the California Department of Public Health said all complaints are taken seriously, and advised people to report issues about testing sites to https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OSPHLD/LFS/Pages/Complaints.aspx.

The email also noted that some sites advertising themselves as testing sites actually are just collection sites, meaning they take a specimen and then send it to a lab for a testing. Laboratory Field Services has authority if the collection site is operated by a clinical laboratory, but it does not have authority over collection sites that operate independently. Local authorities may regulate independent sites, the email states.

The CDPH email did not respond to a question about whether some testing sites had been shut down for operating without a license, but did say it had looked into Encinitas-based Community Wellness America and found no wrong-doings.

CDPH inspected Community Wellness America (CWA) and it appears to be operating collection sites and sending the specimens to a licensed California lab for testing, the email read. CDPH also inspected the lab that was contracted to do the testing for specimens collected by CWA and found no evidence of non-compliance with clinical lab laws.

To check if a lab is licensed in California, visit https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/OSPHLD/LFS/Pages/FacilitiesVerification.aspx.

McDonald suggested that unlicensed sites could be reported to the code enforcement office of whatever city they are in, but that might not be an easy solution.

Cities may not have the authority to run off a testing site if it is set up on a sidewalk or other public place under a state law passed in 2018 that encourages street vending as a new class of small business. Created as Senate Bill 946, the law allows cities to regulate street vendors if they create their own ordinance that focuses on health and safety, but not economic competition.

Carlsbad, Vista, El Cajon and National City have created ordinances to regulate street vendors, but the city of San Diego has not. The City Council canceled a hearing on its proposal last month, and a new one is being drafted. The issue has been controversial, and it has left San Diego and other California cities without the authority to shut down street vendors.

Another hurdle in regulating the sites could be simply trying to keep track of them.

They could be in one place one day and another the next day, McDonald said.

Originally posted here:

County warns of fake COVID-19 testing sites - Del Mar Times

Talks between Chicago school leaders and the teachers' union have resumed amid a standoff over remote learning and other COVID-19 safety measures

By SOPHIA TAREEN Associated Press

January 9, 2022, 9:03 PM

4 min read

CHICAGO -- Talks between Chicago school leaders and the teachers' union resumed Sunday amid a standoff over remote learning and other COVID-19 safety measures that canceled three days of classes and loomed over the start of another week in the nation's third-largest district.

Disputed issues included testing and metrics to close schools. The Chicago Teachers Union wants the option to revert to districtwide remote instruction, and most members have refused to teach in-person until there's an agreement, or the latest COVID-19 spike subsides. But Chicago leaders reject districtwide remote learning, saying it's detrimental and schools are safe. Instead, Chicago opted to cancel classes as a whole two days after students returned from winter break.

Chicago Public Schools face the same pandemic issues as other districts nationwide, with more reverting to remote learning as infections soar and staff members are sidelined. But the situation in union-friendly Chicago has been amplified in a labor dispute that's familiar to families in the mostly low-income Black and Latino district who have seen disruptions during a similar safety protocol fight last year, a 2019 strike and a one-day work stoppage in 2016.

What the teachers' union did was an illegal walkout. They abandoned their posts and they abandoned kids and their families, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Sunday on NBC's Meet The Press. We are working diligently every singe day at the bargaining table to narrow the differences and get a deal done.

Her statements weren't as dismissive as a day earlier when shortly after the union made its latest offer public, she said, CTU leadership, youre not listening and vowed not to relent." The offer she rejected included remote learning starting Wednesday. Both sides have filed complaints to a state labor board.

Union leaders accused Lightfoot of bullying, saying they agree that in-person instruction is better, but the pandemic is forcing difficult decisions. Attendance was down ahead of the cancelations due students and teachers in isolation from possible exposure to the virus and families opting to keep children home voluntarily.

Educators are not the enemy Mayor Lightfoot wants them to be, the union said in a statement Sunday, adding that the desire to be in the classroom must be balanced by ensuring those classrooms are safe, healthy and well-resourced, with the proper mitigation necessary to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

There was some progress.

The district said late Saturday it will allow more incentives for substitute teachers, provide KN95 masks for all teachers and students, and that Illinois will provide about 350,000 antigen tests. But both sides remained far apart on key issues including COVID-19 metrics that will lead to individual school closures and compensation. The district said it won't pay teachers failing to report to schools, even if they tried to log into remote teaching systems. The union doesn't want any of its roughly 25,000 members to be disciplined or lose pay.

District leaders have said some schools, where enough staff showed up, may offer instruction Monday even without an agreement; all buildings have remained open for meal pickup. However, only a handful of principals said they had staff to open and many preemptively canceled Monday classes, anticipating shortages.

School leaders have touted a $100 million safety plan, which includes air purifiers in each classroom. Also, roughly 91% of staff are vaccinated and masks are required indoors.

Since the start of the academic year, some individual classrooms have temporarily switched to remote instruction when there are infections. But in rejecting a widescale return to remote learning, city health officials argue most students directed to quarantine because of possible classroom exposure dont get COVID-19. The district is piloting a test to stay program to cut isolation times.

The union argues that the measures fall short, especially considering the omicron-fueled surge that has upended the return to work and class. It has also criticized the district for not enrolling enough students in a testing program and an unreliable database of COVID-19 infections.

Seven district families, represented by the conservative Liberty Justice Center in Chicago, filed a lawsuit in Cook County over the closures last week, while roughly 5,000 others have signed a petition urging a return to in-person instruction.

Follow Sophia Tareen on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sophiatareen.

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Chicago's COVID-19 fight with teachers hangs over a 2nd week - ABC News

High demand for COVID-19 testing continues

Justin Matthews reports.

BRANDON, Fla. - Hillsborough County is opening a free COVID-19 testing site on Monday, Jan. 10 at Hillsborough Community College in Brandon as the demand for tests increases with the omicron wave.

HCC Brandon is located at 10451 Nancy Watkins Drive in Tampa. It will be open from 9 a.m. 5 p.m. and is a drive-thru site that does not require appointments.

This is one of three sites that Hillsborough County has opened that offers COVID-19 testing. Residents can also get tested for COVID-19 at Progress Village Park, 8701 Progress Blvd., Tampa, FL 33619. This is a walk-up COVID-19 testing site open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. No appointments are needed.

Additionally, West Tampa Community Resource Center, 2103 N. Rome Ave., Tampa, FL 33607, remains open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. It is a walk-up site that offers free COVID-19 testing, vaccinations, Pfizer pediatric vaccines, booster shots for those who are eligible, and monoclonal antibody therapy treatment.

RELATED: Federal government to decide if 1 million expired Florida COVID-19 test kits are salvageable

At the West Tampa Community Resource Center site, no appointments are needed for most of the services. Residents wanting monoclonal antibody therapy treatment must make an appointment. Residents can make an appointment at patientportalfl.com.

Children ages 5 to 11 who are accompanied by their parent or legal guardian can receive the COVID-19 Pfizer pediatric vaccine at the West Tampa Community Resource Center site. The child must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian to verbally confirm the child's age.

RELATED: Hospitals see spike in pediatric COVID-19 cases

For all services, proof of medical insurance is recommended and should be presented at the time of the visit. People without medical insurance will still be tested, vaccinated, or receive monoclonal antibody therapy treatment for free.

The city of Tampa has also opened a COVID-19 testing location at Al Lopez Park, located at 4602 North Himes Avenue and one at Al Barnes Park, located at 3101 East 21st Avenue. Both are open from 7 a.m. - 7 p.m.

UPDATES: Get news alerts and updates in the free FOX 13 News app

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Hillsborough County to open additional COVID-19 testing site in Brandon - FOX 13 Tampa Bay

The Flyers are counting down the days until Monday when, barring any more negative tests, they will finally have everyone out of COVID-19 protocols.

After the Los Angeles Kings snapped their seven-game point streak on Jan. 1, things have gone from bad to worse for the Flyers. The hot streak turned into a cold one five straight losses and now the Flyers are trying to keep from going back to where they were at in December, facing down a 10-game losing streak.

We dont want to get to the point where its too little too late, forward James van Riemsdyk said. So certainly were going to have to start really stringing together some good hockey and some good results.

READ MORE: Flyers 3-2 loss to Sharks extends losing streak to five

During their 10-game skid, the Flyers were feeling the loss of their injured players, including top-pair defenseman Ryan Ellis and centers Kevin Hayes, Derick Brassard, Nate Thompson and Patrick Brown. While the Flyers now have Hayes and Brown back, they have lost more than theyve gained.

After testing positive on Dec. 21, Sean Couturier remained out due to injury. Then they lost Scott Laughton, a lineup staple who can play multiple forward positions, and starting goalie Carter Hart. While theyve since seen Laughton and Hart return, theyve also lost to COVID-19 captain Claude Giroux, top-pair defenseman Ivan Provorov, top-line forward Travis Konecny and second-pair defenseman Travis Sanheim, who has been logging over 20 minutes a game.

So by the time the Flyers played their rival Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday and faced the San Jose Sharks again on Saturday, they were down four injured players and four players who were in COVID-19 protocols, not including the players who have been injured since the start of the season.

READ MORE: Saying goodbye to a rewarding job that was more adventure than work | Sam Carchidi

Obviously some key guys that were missing right now, van Riemsdyk said. So really important to get those guys back in the lineup, and hopefully, again, weve got to start putting together some wins, building some momentum, and going from there.

Flyers interim coach Mike Yeo isnt sure that will be enough. Based on their two losses since returning home, the Flyers arent just missing bodies and talent, theyre also missing a level of compete.

Two games in a row, opponents walked all over the Flyers on their home ice. The 6-2 loss to the Penguins was out of control from the start, but the Flyers managed to gain the advantage over the Sharks despite being outplayed. Seven minutes into the third, they had a two-goal lead, but a minute later, they gave up the first of two unanswered goals that led to their 3-2 overtime loss.

The Flyers have struggled this season when giving up the first goal, and Yeo spoke of their need for resiliency. Against the Sharks, they still couldnt bounce back after giving up a single goal, despite being the ones with the lead.

READ MORE: Flyers prospect profile: Scouting 19-year-old Swiss Army knife Elliot Desnoyers

I think that there was some attempt at it [resiliency], but I think a lot of that stuff is habits, too, Yeo said. The self-inflicted harm that were doing to ourselves is something that weve got to get out of our system and something that weve got to prevent here.

Against both opponents, the Flyers struggled to get out of the defensive zone. When they did, they struggled to get out of the neutral zone. And if they finally won the puck in the neutral zone, they either dumped it into the offensive zone or they struggled to maintain control. As a result, the Penguins out-shot the Flyers by 12 and the Sharks by 16.

Youre not going to win hockey games like that, Yeo said.

Yeo also said hes looking forward to getting players back. Their experience will help them make smarter decisions, and their skill might help lessen mistakes. Giroux will also play a major role in the faceoff battles.

But the missing players are only part of the problem. So when Mondays practice arrives, Yeo will welcome them back, then turn his focus toward fixing those bad habits in hopes that theyll be able to turn things around before its too late.

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Flyers losses mounting as they await return of top players from COVID-19 protocols - The Philadelphia Inquirer

HAMPTON ROADS, Va. (WAVY) With COVID-19 tests in high demand, the state is opening nine new community testing centers.

Two of them will be in Hampton Roads: one in Newport News, the other in Norfolk near the current community vaccination center locations.

Each site will offer PCR tests that take a few days to get results back.

We are tapped out on many different systems, our pharmacies, our hospitals, our urgent care so this is an additional layer, said Suzi Trotter, the Virginia Department of Health Testing Co-Lead.

The first testing center in Newport News is at the Sherwood Shopping Center off Warwick Boulevard. The CTC services will be available in a heated tent near the same property as the Community Vaccination Center.

Starting Monday it will be open every day except Friday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. by appointment only.

Trotter says they dont expect lines with this appointment-based system and it also ensures everyone with an appointment gets tested.

So far from our testing site yesterday, were running a couple of minutes per person. They do the online registration. When they get to the site their appointment is confirmed. Their requisition sheet prints out, and they get right through and out, said Trotter.

While testing is being offered Monday at Norfolks Military Circle Mall, CTC services wont start outside in tents until Tuesday. Itll have the same hours and appointment process as the one in Newport News.

Dr. Parham Jaberi with the Norfolk Health Department says theyre looking at 500 appointments a day. 400 will be available online and then 100 will be determined by the health department.

For individuals in a sensitive situation, theyre in the middle of an outbreak at a central job function. Theres going to be some play where a local health departments team is going to be able to use some executive management to fill those positions, explained Jaberi.

However, he also realizes the demand is likely greater than the secured number of appointments.

We served more than 500 on the first two testing events, so on the first day on Tuesday, there will probably be a lot more people than we can serve. But if people use the appointment-based system, they can look to the next day and the next day, Jaberi stated.

Dr. Jaberi says towards the end of the month, he believes these testing centers are really going to put a dent into helping those who have really had a hard time finding testing opportunities.

Trotter says theyre opening up appointments continuously throughout the week as they get their space and vendors up. She says they have secured funding through the end of the month, then we reevaluate the pilot program.

To find an appointment,CLICK HERE.Again, walk-ins will not be accepted.

Virginians who have not been fully vaccinated or are eligible for booster doses, can visitvaccinate.virginia.govor call 1-877-VAX-IN-VA (877) 829-4682 to find nearby vaccination clinics.

Download the WAVY News App to keep up with the latest news, weather and sports from WAVY-TV 10. Available in both the Apple and Google Play stores.

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Community COVID-19 testing centers start this week in Norfolk, Newport News to help with demand - WAVY.com

The Eagles left 11 players on the COVID-19/reserve list four hours before their regular-season finale against the Dallas Cowboys Saturday night.

Of the dozen players added to the list on Monday, only Jason Kelce was activated in time for Saturdays home game, seemingly signifying the teams intention to rest its starters for the home game.

Fletcher Cox, Dallas Goedert, Jordan Howard, Boston Scott, Nate Herbig, Avonte Maddox, Rodney McLeod, Alex Singleton, Marcus Epps, Genard Avery, and Jack Stoll were all left on the list and ruled out Saturday afternoon.

The lack of movement afforded the Eagles 11 COVID replacement spots on the active roster for the game, which they used to elevate mostly developmental players from the practice squad.

Eagles coach Nick Sirianni was noncommittal all week when asked if hed rest his starters since the outcome of the game has little impact on the teams possible playoff scenarios, but the addition of so many young players to the roster should give him a chance to do so.

The players elevated as COVID replacements are offensive lineman Kayode Awosika, linebacker Christian Elliss, defensive back Jared Mayden, defensive back Mac McCain, tight end Richard Rodgers, tight end Noah Togiai, offensive tackle Casey Tucker, and defensive tackle Raequan Williams. The team also elevated running back Jason Huntley and defensive tackle Marvin Wilson from the practice squad for the game.

Kelce will be able to continue his 121-game streak of consecutive starts but will likely be done shortly after he hits the 122-game mark on the first series.

READ MORE: Eagles activate center Jason Kelce from COVID-19/reserve list ahead of Week 18 vs. Cowboys

A few players, most notably wide receiver DeVonta Smith said earlier this week that the Eagles werent interested in rest. The Birds could improve their playoff seeding with a win against the Cowboys, but theyd need help from other teams to do so. There are also scenarios in which theyd move up the standings even with a loss, and theyre most likely to play the Tampa Bay Buccaneers regardless of Saturdays outcome.

That doesnt make the game completely meaningless for the players, though. Smith, who is 47 yards away from breaking DeSean Jacksons franchise record for rookie receiving yards, advocated for playing time to stay in rhythm.

I feel like I need to be out there, Smith said. Its a momentum thing.

Sirianni gave credence to the arguments for and against resting, but said hed be confident in his teams ability to go into the wild-card round sharp even if the starters got some time off against the Cowboys.

If the decision is to have to rest a couple guys or whatever it is ... I have so much confidence in our process and the way we go about how we get ready, Sirianni said. I know we practice hard. I know weve really made this a staple of the way we are here, right, is that we go out and practice hard every day.

Jay Ajayi, who was a part of the Eagles Super Bowl-winning team in 2017, has retired from football.

The Eagles recognized him Saturday night by making him an honorary captain for their game against the Cowboys.

Ajayi joined the Eagles following a trade from the Miami Dolphins for the final seven games of the regular season and all three playoff games. He rushed for 408 yards on 70 carries with one touchdown and caught 10 passes for 91 yards and one score in those seven games. In the playoffs, he had 184 yards on 42 carries and caught six passes for 70 yards, but scored no touchdowns.

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The Eagles played the Cowboys with 11 players still on the COVID-19 list, including Fletcher Cox and Dallas Goedert - The Philadelphia Inquirer

COVID-19 hospitalizations in Maine rose to their highest total of the pandemic Saturday, breaking the record set Friday and straining system capacity as hospitals report large numbers of staffare infected with the virus.

Meanwhile, many of those getting vaccinated at a clinic Saturday said they know a growing number of people who have contracted COVID-19.

There were 399 COVID-19 patients in hospitals throughout Maine, the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention reported Saturday, up from 391 Friday.

The previous high before Friday was 387 on Dec. 21. Hospitalizations dipped to 327 on Dec. 26, but have been climbing since. The Maine CDC has said 70 percent of all people hospitalized with COVID-19 are not fully vaccinated.

Of those hospitalized, 106 were in critical care and 57 on ventilators, the state reported Saturday. Both numbers are down from Fridays 110 in critical care and 59 on ventilators. Unlike overall hospitalizations, those totals remained steady and even declined in recent weeks as cases have risen, a likely sign that the omicron variant is causing fewer severe cases.

However, the speed with which omicron is spreading indicates it might be even more contagious than health officials had warned earlier.

Early advice suggesting that infection is most likely after prolonged contact with someone who has the disease is no longer valid, the president of the Maine Medical Association said Saturday.

The trouble with omicron is it spreads real fast, said Dr. Jeffrey Barkin. Omicron spreads as easily as perfume wafting through the air indoors, he said. The omicron variant could be caught just by walking past an infected person indoors, he said.

It could be an elevator ride that is brief but in a contained space, he said. Thats why really good masking to block out those highly infectious virus particles is a good idea if you dont want to get sick.

He recommends N-95 masks, even the medical grade N-95s. The KN-95 masks are good, he said, but make sure the mask fits snugly across the nose creating a protective seal. The better it fits, the better, he said.

Dr. Robert Horsburgh, an epidemiologist at Boston University, said the omicron variant is several orders of magnitude more infectious than experts previously warned. People at high risk, including those who are immune compromised or unvaccinated, need to be super careful now, Horsburgh said.

Experts predict that infections will continue to rise in urban areas with higher population densities, even those that have high vaccination rates.

Thats already happening, said several people who turned out Saturday for a walk-in vaccine clinic at the Goodfire Brewing Co. in Portland hosted by co-owners and husband and wife doctors David and Julia Redding.

Shayla Skinner of Portland, who was getting her booster, said more and more people she knows are contracting COVID-19.

It seems like everyone has it right now. My roommate tested positive, so I went to my parents. We all took the test and were negative. But then her step-sister and mother tested positive, she said.

Skinner said she still has not contracted COVID-19. But everyone I talk to knows at least three people who have tested positive.

Neeley Hunt of Portland, who also got her booster shot at Saturdays clinic, said the omicron variant is spreading quickly among so many in the past month.

Hunt came down with the virus 11 days ago. I had both vaccinations, I also had COVID a year ago.

In her recent bout, the cough was pretty gnarly, Hunt said. I had body aches, fatigue. Shes feeling better now, but is still fatigued.

Both women were thrilled to get a booster at the brewery its still hard to find a booster appointment, Hunt said. And, she added with a grin, Booze and boosters?!

Dr. Barkin had a warning for anyone exposed to the virus who then tests negative with a home test.

You want to repeat the test. Follow the directions on the test for a re-test, because theres a risk of a false negative, he said. If its positive on a home test, or the minute you have symptoms, youve got to quarantine for five days. After that, you have to wear a mask when leaving home, he said.

Barkin said expectations that the vaccine will prevent illness must be recalibrated.

The vaccines do not prevent getting the virus, but what they do very well is if you do get infected, they make it so that your risk of getting really sick or dying goes down a lot, he said.

Whether 25 percent or 75 percent of the population ends up getting COVID-19 is speculative, he said. But it will be a good number. The future is going to be different.

People also need to understand that recommendations from experts today could change in a week or two as case numbers rise and fall, Barkin said.

The more flexible we are, the more easy it will be to adapt to the changes which are already upon us, he said. Weve got to do that together.

The Maine CDC reported 1,203 new cases of COVID-19 on Saturday and four more deaths. Since the pandemic began, there have been 153,376 confirmed or probable cases, and 1,603 deaths in Maine. Both remain among the lowest per capita of any state.

Because state officials are dealing with so many tests, and because many people are taking at-home tests and not reporting the results to the state, the daily case counts from the Maine CDC dont necessarily capture the most current picture. Many of the new cases reported this week have been from positive tests dating back a week or more.

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COVID-19 hospitalizations in Maine break record for second consecutive day - Press Herald

The city of Newburyport Health Department will be offering free COVID-19 testing clinics at the Newburyport Harbormaster Department located at 278 Water St., per the following schedule:

Monday, Jan. 10, noon 3 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 11, noon 3 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 13, 2 5:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Jan. 18, noon 3 p.m.

Thursday, Jan. 20, 2 5:30 p.m.

The goal of these testing events is to provide free rapid antigen testing to Newburyport residents as the city sees a massive surge in COVID-19 cases, city Health Department office manager Michael C. Lawler said in a press release.

The information on the upcoming clinics can also be found on the city webpage at http://www.cityofnewburyport.com/covid-19/covid-19-testing.

We are making critical coverage of the coronavirus available for free. Please consider subscribing so we can continue to bring you the latest news and information on this developing story.

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Newburyport Health Dept. to offer COVID-19 testing clinics - The Daily News of Newburyport