Factory goof fouled 60 million shots
Death rate inches upward after weeks of steady decline; no more masks at outdoor transit hubs for fully vaccinated travelers; more evidence that vaccinations prevent COVID-19 transmission
We made it to another Friday. Thanks for being part of this community. Before today’s top stories, one quick question: What would you think if this newsletter switched to two times a week? Email me with your answer or just click this button and post a comment. Thanks.
Here are the COVID-19 headlines:
The USA is closing in on 600,000 deaths officially attributed to COVID-19: While new cases and hospitalization rates continue downward, COVID-19 deaths went up in the past week. “The current 7-day moving average of new deaths (347) has increased 1.9% compared with the previous 7-day moving average (340). As of June 9, a total of 596,059 COVID-19 deaths have been reported,” according to the CDC.
Cry over spilled… After poring over data and other information, the FDA has told Johnson & Johnson that about 60 million doses of its COVID-19 vaccine that were made at a subcontracted facility in Maryland must be destroyed. Also in jeopardy are 100 million AstraZeneca vaccine doses also made at the Baltimore plant.
All of the J&J vaccine doses used in the United States so far were manufactured at a J&J factory in the Netherlands.
Mask reduction: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated guidance for travelers, saying it’s ok for fully vaccinated people to take masks off at outdoor transit hubs.
Federal experts are investigating an increase in reports of heart inflammation among young people after their second COVID-19 vaccination with either Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccines. Based on information gathered so far, at least 81% promptly recovered after rest and medication. Outside experts meet June 18 to delve deeper.
Vaccinations protects unvaccinated household members: A study finds that infection rates are lower among unvaccinated people living with one or more people who got COVID-19 vaccinations than in households where nobody was vaccinated.
That’s it for today. Have a safe weekend.