Coronavirus
Most Recent
The US is mailing Americans COVID tests again. Here's how to get them
Amanda Seitz, Associated Press | Posted Sept. 26 - 12:28 p.m. | Save Story
Americans can once again order COVID-19 tests, without being charged, that will be sent straight to their homes. The U.S. government reopened the program on Thursday.
Americans can order free COVID-19 tests beginning this month
Associated Press | Posted Sept. 23 - 7:17 a.m. | Save Story
Americans will be able to order up to four COVID-19 nasal swab tests delivered to their home free of charge starting later this month.
Sen. Mitt Romney sponsors new bill to repeal COVID-era tax credit after fraud
Gitanjali Poonia, Deseret News | Posted Sept. 19 - 10:32 p.m. | Save Story
U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney and his colleagues are attempting to curb widespread fraud by ending a COVID-19-era tax credit.
Doctors encourage Utahns to get the new widely available COVID vaccine
Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com | Posted Sept. 18 - 5:02 p.m. | Save Story
The new COVID-19 vaccine is now available at clinics, pharmacies and doctor's offices. A doctor with University of Utah Health says it will help prevent serious illness from new COVID-19 variants in an expected winter surge.
Austrian woman convicted of fatally infecting her neighbor with COVID
Lisa Riley Roche, Deseret News | Posted Sept. 16 - 7:34 p.m. | Save Story
After the death of a neighbor from COVID-19, an Austrian woman has been fined and given a suspended sentence for grossly negligent homicide, her second pandemic-related conviction in a year, The Associated Press reported.
COVID lockdown may have aged teen brains, study finds
Lois M. Collins, Deseret News | Posted Sept. 13 - 8:05 a.m. | Save Story
When the world shut down in the pandemic, adolescent brains started aging faster — especially the brains of adolescent girls, according to researchers.
New COVID vaccines could cost uninsured up to $200
Lois M. Collins, Deseret News | Posted Sept. 4 - 7:22 a.m. | Save Story
Updated COVID-19 vaccines are already showing up on some pharmacy and health provider shelves. But a key program that paid for the vaccines when people lacked coverage is out of money. So those who are under-insured or uninsured could pay up to $200 for the booster.
Zuckerberg says the White House pressured Facebook over some COVID-19 content during the pandemic
Associated Press | Posted Aug. 27 - 7:19 a.m. | Save Story
Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg says senior Biden administration officials pressured Facebook to "censor" some COVID-19 content during the pandemic.
Got cold symptoms? Here's when kids should take a sick day from school
Cheyanne Mumphrey, Associated Press | Posted Aug. 25 - 9:41 a.m. | Save Story
School attendance tanked during the pandemic and has only started to recover. Parents are struggling to decide when it's ok to send a child to school while sick.
FDA approves updated COVID-19 vaccines, shots should be available in days
Lauran Neergaard, Associated Press | Posted Aug. 23 - 12:33 p.m. | Save Story
Updated COVID-19 vaccines are on their way. The FDA approved new shots from Pfizer and Moderna on Thursday for adults and children as young as 6 months.
Long COVID in kids: Symptoms vary by age, differ some from adults
Lois M. Collins, Deseret News | Posted Aug. 23 - 9:32 a.m. | Save Story
Millions of children are suffering from long COVID, the lingering post-viral illness that follows SARS-CoV-2 infection and can last weeks, months or even years.
COVID-19 is on the rise this summer due to new variant
Lois M. Collins, Deseret News | Posted July 20 - 12:27 p.m. | Save Story
A new COVID-19 variant is leading an increase in cases nationwide, and President Joe Biden is among those who tested positive. Most of the cases being seen in emergency departments are a variant known as KP.3 and a new vaccine is expected.
U. Health's long COVID clinic continues to help people manage debilitating symptoms
Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com | Posted July 18 - 8:50 p.m. | Save Story
The University of Utah Health's Long COVID Clinic has treated 3,000 patients over the last three years, and doctors say the clinic is here to stay.
CDC recommending updated vaccines for COVID, flu in fall
Lois M. Collins, Deseret News | Posted June 28 - 5:58 p.m. | Save Story
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that both updated influenza and COVID-19 vaccines be part of the vaccination plan that people adopt come fall and winter.
IRS says 'vast majority' of 1 million pandemic-era credit claims show a risk of being improper
Mae Anderson, Associated Press | Updated June 23 - 7:46 a.m. | Save Story
The Internal Revenue Service said Thursday a review of 1 million claims for the Employee Retention Credit representing $86 billion shows the "vast majority" are at risk of being improper.
Utah ranks third in nation for child well-being, but educational challenges persist
Logan Stefanich, KSL.com | Posted June 11 - 5:04 p.m. | Save Story
A new report analyzing how children are performing in a post-pandemic society points to areas for improvement when it comes to proficiency scores and absenteeism.
Minn. fraud trial juror reports getting bag of $120K and promise of more if she'll acquit
The Associated Press | Updated June 3 - 1:45 p.m. | Save Story
A juror was dismissed from a multimillion-dollar pandemic fraud trial in Minneapolis on Monday after reporting that a woman dropped a bag of $120,000 cash at her home over the weekend.
Fauci testifies publicly before House panel on COVID origins, controversies
Lauran Neergaard, Associated Press | Updated June 3 - 10:38 a.m. | Save Story
Dr. Anthony Fauci is facing heated questioning from Republican lawmakers about the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. The top U.S. infectious disease expert until 2022, Fauci was grilled by the House panel behind closed doors in January.
New virus variants threaten a summer COVID-19 wave, but experts say risk remains uncertain
Deidre McPhillips, CNN | Updated May 17 - 2:11 p.m. | Save Story
COVID-19 levels are about the lowest they've ever been in the United States, but another new crop of virus variants once again threatens to disrupt the downward trend as the country heads into summer.
Utah school districts working to prioritize what stays when COVID-19 relief money runs dry
Lindsay Aerts, KSL-TV | Posted May 15 - 11:03 a.m. | Save Story
Utah's school districts are working to figure out how they will continue to pay for programs propped up by COVID-19 relief funds.
Pandemic policies under scrutiny: American voters question COVID-19 measures
Brigham Tomco, Deseret News | Posted April 20 - 5:30 p.m. | Save Story
A majority of American voters believe COVID-19 public health measures infringed on personal freedoms, according to a new Deseret News poll.
Young adults most likely to still take extra precautions for COVID-19
Lois M. Collins, Deseret News | Posted April 15 - 6:17 a.m. | Save Story
More people think the COVID-19 pandemic's ongoing than don't, according to a new HarrisX poll for the Deseret News. That's despite the fact that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services declared the pandemic in America over nearly a year ago.
Stuck at home during COVID-19, Gen Z started charities
Ben Gose, The Chronicle Of Philanthropy, Associated Press | Updated March 28 - 2:09 p.m. | Save Story
Nothing has spurred the entrepreneurial spirit of Gen Z quite like the COVID-19 pandemic and that extends to launching nonprofits.
Gen Z and the American dream: How pandemic-era challenges shape the generation's outlook
Emma Pitts, Deseret News | Posted March 24 - 7:18 a.m. | Save Story
In 2020, when the oldest members of Generation Z were turning 23 and taking on their first experiences in adulthood, the world was forced to shut down.
Most losing Medicaid in Utah couldn't complete process to stay on
Lois M. Collins, Deseret News | Posted March 22 - 10:31 p.m. | Save Story
In Utah, 94% of the people dropped from Medicaid rolls recently lost coverage without any determination of being ineligible. Their application/review process had not been completed.
Study sheds light on the gender gap in youth resilience when faced with mental health struggles
Emma Pitts, Deseret News | Posted March 10 - 10:32 p.m. | Save Story
Exacerbated by the pandemic, the mental health crisis in America is growing as more and more people admit to having symptoms of anxiety and depression — and at younger ages, according to reports.
Free home COVID-19 test program to be suspended this week
Amanda Musa, CNN | Posted March 6 - 8:44 a.m. | Save Story
The U.S. government's free at-home COVID-19 test program will be suspended Friday, according to the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response.
White House lifting its COVID-19 testing rule for people around Biden, ending a pandemic vestige
Zeke Miller, Associated Press | Posted March 5 - 8:19 a.m. | Save Story
The White House has lifted its COVID-19 testing requirement for those who plan to be in close contact with President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris and their spouses.
Older US adults should get another COVID-19 shot, health officials recommend
Mike Stobbe, Associated Press | Posted March 2 - 10:01 a.m. | Save Story
Older U.S. adults should roll up their sleeves for another COVID-19 shot, even if they received a booster in the fall, an advisory panel said Wednesday.
COVID-19 no longer means 5 days in isolation, CDC says
Mike Stobbe, Associated Press | Posted March 1 - 3:32 p.m. | Save Story
U.S. health officials say people with COVID-19 no longer need to stay in isolation for five days. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention changed its longstanding guidance on Friday.
Supreme Court rejects appeal from 3 GOP House members over $500 mask fines
Associated Press | Posted Feb. 21 - 8:40 a.m. | Save Story
The Supreme Court has rejected appeals from three Republican House members who challenged fines for not wearing face coverings on the House floor in 2021.
CDC plans to drop 5-day COVID isolation guidelines
Chandni Shah and Mariam Sunny, Reuters | Posted Feb. 13 - 2:35 p.m. | Save Story
The CDC plans to drop its five-day COVID-19 isolation recommendations under new guidance planned by the agency, the Washington Post reported on Tuesday.
Millions of people have long COVID, including children and pregnant people, studies show
Jen Christensen, CNN | Posted Feb. 13 - 8:20 a.m. | Save Story
Millions of people deal with COVID-19 symptoms long after their initial infections. Two new studies — one looking at pregnant people and the other on children — give a better look at the burden from this health problem that doctors say often goes under the radar.
Alternating arms for vaccine doses might increase immunity
Lois M. Collins, Deseret News | Posted Feb. 11 - 11:17 a.m. | Save Story
The next time someone giving you a shot asks, "Which arm?" don't be cavalier. New research suggests the question may be more important than you think — at least if the vaccine calls for two doses.
New vaccines are 54% effective against symptomatic COVID, CDC says
Lois M. Collins, Deseret News | Posted Feb. 4 - 3:34 p.m. | Save Story
The latest round of COVID-19 boosters is about 54% effective in preventing symptomatic infection in those with normal immune systems, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
'Not viruses to mess around with': Experts urge caution during ongoing 'tripledemic'
Emma Benson, KSL-TV | Posted Jan. 12 - 7:28 a.m. | Save Story
Experts say this winter we're seeing another "tripledemic" — rising cases of COVID-19, flu and RSV in Utah.
Nearly 10,000 died from COVID-19 last month, fueled by holiday gatherings and new variant
Associated Press | Posted Jan. 11 - 9:22 p.m. | Save Story
The head of the U.N. health agency said nearly 10,000 deaths were reported in December.
Holiday giving could have included COVID-19, experts warn
Lois M. Collins, Deseret News | Posted Jan. 5 - 7:02 p.m. | Save Story
You may have exchanged more than presents and shared more than meals during recent holiday gatherings.
Respiratory virus activity is high and rising across the US, CDC data shows
Deidre McPhillips, Amanda Musa and Carma Hassan, CNN | Posted Jan. 2 - 9:45 a.m. | Save Story
As seasonal virus activity surges across the U.S., experts stress the importance of preventive measures – such as masking and vaccination – and the value of treatment for those who do get sick.
'The ICUs are full': Keep yourself and others healthy this holiday
Emma Benson, KSL-TV | Posted Dec. 23 - 1:14 p.m. | Save Story
It's time for holiday gatherings, but with more people around us comes a greater risk of getting sick.
States trashing troves of masks and pandemic gear as huge, costly stockpiles linger and expire
Jennifer Peltz and David A. Lieb, Associated Press | Posted Dec. 22 - 9:40 p.m. | Save Story
States that stockpiled millions of masks and other personal protective equipment during the coronavirus pandemic are now throwing the items out. Associated Press found at least 15 states have rid themselves of the items because of expiration dates or they have more than they need.
IRS to waive $1B in penalties for people and firms owing back taxes for 2020 or 2021
Fatima Hussein, Associated Press | Posted Dec. 20 - 9:26 a.m. | Save Story
The IRS says it's going to waive penalty fees for people who failed to pay back taxes that total less than $100,000 a year for tax years 2020 or 2021.
FDA finds control lapses at Moderna manufacturing plant
Patrick Wingrove, Reuters | Posted Dec. 17 - 6:23 p.m. | Save Story
U.S. drug regulators in September found quality control lapses at Moderna's main factory including with equipment used to manufacture drug substance for its COVID-19 vaccine, according to the report obtained by Reuters via a Freedom of Information Act request.
CDC: There's an urgent need to increase vaccine coverage for flu, COVID and RSV
Christy Santhosh, Reuters | Updated Dec. 14 - 8:06 p.m. | Save Story
The CDC on Thursday issued an alert urging health care providers to increase immunization coverage for influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus.
Flu is on the rise while RSV infections may be peaking, US health officials say
Mike Stobbe, Associated Press | Posted Dec. 1 - 9:04 p.m. | Save Story
U.S. health officials say flu is picking up steam while RSV lung infections may be peaking. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday that COVID-19 remains the main cause of hospitalizations and deaths in the country.
Lawsuit: Woman says she received full vial of COVID vaccine; CVS subsidiary claims immunity
Emily Ashcraft, KSL.com | Posted Nov. 27 - 9:38 p.m. | Save Story
A Salt Lake County woman filed a lawsuit claiming a COVID-19 vaccine dose five-times larger than the recommended dose has negatively impacted her health. CVS subsidiary MinuteClinic Diagnostic of Utah says they are immune from the claims.
COVID, flu, respiratory germs aren't feasting in southern Utah as much this Thanksgiving
Chris Reed, St. George News | Posted Nov. 24 - 9:55 p.m. | Save Story
If there's something that the southern Utah medical community may be thankful for this year, it's that local levels of respiratory diseases like COVID-19 and influenza are at their lowest for the Thanksgiving holiday since before the pandemic.
More free COVID-19 tests are available for home delivery through the mail
Amanda Seitz, Associated Press | Posted Nov. 20 - 9:08 a.m. | Save Story
Americans can order four free COVID-19 tests again online. Anyone who did not order a batch of four COVID-19 tests in September can secure up to eight of them beginning Monday at covidtests.gov.
Mitt Romney chairs Senate hearing on 'alarming' fraud in COVID-19 spending
Gitanjali Poonia, Deseret News | Posted Nov. 15 - 7:34 p.m. | Save Story
Sen. Mitt Romney led a Senate hearing Tuesday to investigate widespread fraud in federal spending during the pandemic, when billions of dollars in relief spending were left unaccounted for.
Herriman man accused of lying on COVID-19 loan applications, misusing $180,000
Cassidy Wixom, KSL.com | Posted Nov. 14 - 10:27 p.m. | Save Story
A Herriman man is accused of lying about being a convicted felon on small business loan applications during the pandemic and receiving more than $180,000.
The Great Grift: COVID-19 aid thieves bought fancy cars, a Pokemon card — even a private island
Richard Lardner, Associated Press | Posted Nov. 13 - 7:00 a.m. | Save Story
Pandemic fraudsters perpetrated the greatest grift in U.S. history: They potentially plundered more than $280 billion in federal COVID-19 aid; another $123 billion was wasted or misspent.
Did child abuse go up or down during the COVID-19 pandemic?
Lois M. Collins, Deseret News | Posted Nov. 5 - 4:55 p.m. | Save Story
As COVID-19 infections raged and families flocked home from work and school early on, experts predicted a tsunami of child abuse was about to hit.
What a new study says about the effectiveness of masks against COVID-19
Lisa Riley Roche, Deseret News | Posted Nov. 4 - 9:41 p.m. | Save Story
Masks provide protection from COVID-19, says a new study published by the Journal of the American Medical Association.
What you need to know about HV.1, the new COVID-19 variant spreading across the US
Lisa Riley Roche, Deseret News | Posted Oct. 31 - 7:18 a.m. | Save Story
Just in time for respiratory virus season, there's a new COVID-19 variant dominating cases in the United States — and yet another version of the coronavirus that's already starting to spread overseas.
Here's how many Utahns have gotten the new COVID-19 shot
Lisa Riley Roche, Deseret News | Posted Oct. 29 - 8:53 a.m. | Save Story
Fewer than 5% of all Utahns have received the latest COVID-19 shot since it was released in mid-September, a rate that lags behind nationwide numbers that are being described as "abysmal."
Pfizer, BioNtech say flu-COVID shot generates strong immune response in trial
Manas Mishra, Reuters | Posted Oct. 27 - 4:32 p.m. | Save Story
Pfizer and German partner BioNTech said on Thursday that their vaccine to prevent flu and COVID-19 generated a strong immune response against strains of the viruses in an early- to mid-stage trial.
Pfizer to price COVID treatment Paxlovid at $1,390 per course
Michael Erman, Reuters | Posted Oct. 20 - 9:11 a.m. | Save Story
Pfizer on Wednesday said it will set the U.S. price for its COVID-19 antiviral treatment Paxlovid at nearly $1,400 per five-day course when it moves to commercial sales after government stocks run out, more than double what the government currently pays for it.
Price of COVID-19 antiviral Paxlovid expected to rise next year, raising concerns about access
Meg Tirrell, CNN | Posted Oct. 17 - 11:38 a.m. | Save Story
The price of the lifesaving COVID-19 medication Paxlovid is likely to rise next year for most patients as the United States continues to transition out of the emergency phase of the pandemic.
