WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. government advisory panel endorsed widespread use of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine Thursday, putting the country just one step away from launching an epic vaccination campaign against the outbreak that has killed close to 300,000 Americans.

<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?507053-2/fda-advisory-committee-votes-recommend-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine">CLICK here t</a>o watch Thursday's discussion on the vaccine.

Shots could begin within days, depending on how quickly the Food and Drug Administration signs off, as expected, on the expert committee’s recommendation.

In a 17-4 vote with one abstention, the government advisers concluded that the vaccine from Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech appears safe and effective for emergency use in adults and teenagers 16 and older.

That endorsement came despite questions about allergic reactions in two people who received the vaccine earlier this week when Britain became the first country to begin dispensing the Pfizer-BioNTech shot.

Despite all the remaining unknowns, in an emergency, “the question is whether you know enough,” said panel member Dr. Paul Offit of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, who concluded that the shot’s potential potential benefits outweigh its risks.

The independent review by non-government experts in vaccine development, infectious diseases and medical statistics was considered critical to boosting Americans’ confidence in the safety of the shot, which was developed at breakneck speed less than a year after the virus was identified.

The decision came as COVID-19 cases surge to ever-higher levels across the U.S., with deaths hitting an all-time, one-day high of more than 3,100 on Wednesday.

Pfizer has said it will have about 25 million doses of the two-shot vaccine for the U.S. by the end of December. But initial supplies will be limited and reserved primarily for health care workers and nursing home residents, with other vulnerable groups next in line until the shots become widely available on demand, something that will probably not happen until the spring.

Experts estimate at least 70% of the U.S. population will have to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity, the point at which the virus can be held in check. That means it could be several months before things start get back to normal and Americans can put away their masks.

The FDA next week will review a second vaccine, from Moderna and the National Institutes of Health, that appears about as protective as Pfizer-BioNTech’s shot. A third candidate, from Johnson &amp; Johnson, which would require just one dose, is working its way through the pipeline. Behind that is a candidate from AstraZeneca and Oxford University

All eyes now turn to the FDA staff scientists who will make the final decision on whether to greenlight use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Regulators not only in Britain but in Canada have already approved it for use in their countries, and President Donald Trump and White House officials have complained for weeks about the pace of FDA’s careful review.

FDA’s vaccine director Dr. Peter Marks said ahead of the expert meeting that a decision would come within “days to a week.”

“Americans want us to do a scientific review, but I think they also want us to make sure we’re not wasting time on paperwork as opposed to going forward with the decision,” FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said before the meeting.

A positive vote for the vaccine was virtually assured after FDA scientists issued a glowing review of the vaccine earlier in the week. Agency staffers said data from Pfizer’s ongoing study of 44,000 people showed strong protection across different age groups, races and health conditions with no major, unexpected safety problems.

The Pfizer-BioNTech shot remains experimental because that final-stage study isn’t complete. As a result, the expert panel wrestled with a list of questions that have yet to be answered.

For example, while the vaccine is more than 90% effective in blocking the symptoms of COVID-19, the FDA’s advisers stressed it is not yet clear if it can stop the silent, symptomless spread that accounts for up to half of cases.

“Even though the individual efficacy of this vaccine is very, very, very high, you really as of right now do not have any evidence” that it will lower transmission, said Dr. Patrick Moore of the University of Pittsburgh. He urged Pfizer to take additional steps to answer that question.

And the advisers are worried that Pfizer will lose its opportunity to answer critical questions as it begins offering the real vaccine to study participants who had been getting dummy shots.

The company proposed gradually moving those patients to the vaccine group, with priority based on age, health conditions and other factors. Under that plan, 70-year-old participants would cross over before healthy 30-year-olds.

Pfizer must still show whether the vaccine works in children younger than 16 and in pregnant women.

On the safety front, as widespread vaccinations begin, the first recipients will be closely tracked by government health authorities since studies in tens of thousands of people can’t detect rare risks that strike 1 in a million. Hanging over the meeting were the British allergic reactions and a warning from authorities there that people with a history of serious reactions shouldn’t get the vaccine for now.

Pfizer representatives said they have seen no signs of allergic reactions in their trial. But some of the FDA advisers fear the British warning will deter millions of Americans with allergies who might benefit from the COVID-19 vaccine from giving it a try, and urged additional studies to try to settle the issue.

“This issue is not going to die until we have better data,” Offit said.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607640634805.png" alt="Virtual FDA panel discussion Thursday image courtesy CSPAN" />
 <figcaption>Virtual FDA panel discussion Thursday image courtesy CSPAN</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — A U.S. government advisory panel endorsed widespread use of Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine Thursday, putting the country just one step away from launching an epic vaccination campaign against the outbreak that has killed close to 300,000 Americans.<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?507053-2/fda-advisory-committee-votes-recommend-pfizer-covid-19-vaccine">CLICK here t</a>o watch Thursday's discussion on the vaccine.Shots could begin within days, depending on how quickly the Food and Drug Administration signs off, as expected, on the expert committee’s recommendation.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607648760719.png" alt="Zoom vote Thursday afternoon on the vaccine" />
 <figcaption>Zoom vote Thursday afternoon on the vaccine</figcaption>
 </figure>In a 17-4 vote with one abstention, the government advisers concluded that the vaccine from Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech appears safe and effective for emergency use in adults and teenagers 16 and older.That endorsement came despite questions about allergic reactions in two people who received the vaccine earlier this week when Britain became the first country to begin dispensing the Pfizer-BioNTech shot.Despite all the remaining unknowns, in an emergency, “the question is whether you know enough,” said panel member Dr. Paul Offit of Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, who concluded that the shot’s potential potential benefits outweigh its risks.The independent review by non-government experts in vaccine development, infectious diseases and medical statistics was considered critical to boosting Americans’ confidence in the safety of the shot, which was developed at breakneck speed less than a year after the virus was identified.The decision came as COVID-19 cases surge to ever-higher levels across the U.S., with deaths hitting an all-time, one-day high of more than 3,100 on Wednesday.Pfizer has said it will have about 25 million doses of the two-shot vaccine for the U.S. by the end of December. But initial supplies will be limited and reserved primarily for health care workers and nursing home residents, with other vulnerable groups next in line until the shots become widely available on demand, something that will probably not happen until the spring.Experts estimate at least 70% of the U.S. population will have to be vaccinated to achieve herd immunity, the point at which the virus can be held in check. That means it could be several months before things start get back to normal and Americans can put away their masks.The FDA next week will review a second vaccine, from Moderna and the National Institutes of Health, that appears about as protective as Pfizer-BioNTech’s shot. A third candidate, from Johnson &amp; Johnson, which would require just one dose, is working its way through the pipeline. Behind that is a candidate from AstraZeneca and Oxford UniversityAll eyes now turn to the FDA staff scientists who will make the final decision on whether to greenlight use of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine. Regulators not only in Britain but in Canada have already approved it for use in their countries, and President Donald Trump and White House officials have complained for weeks about the pace of FDA’s careful review.FDA’s vaccine director Dr. Peter Marks said ahead of the expert meeting that a decision would come within “days to a week.”“Americans want us to do a scientific review, but I think they also want us to make sure we’re not wasting time on paperwork as opposed to going forward with the decision,” FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn said before the meeting.A positive vote for the vaccine was virtually assured after FDA scientists issued a glowing review of the vaccine earlier in the week. Agency staffers said data from Pfizer’s ongoing study of 44,000 people showed strong protection across different age groups, races and health conditions with no major, unexpected safety problems.The Pfizer-BioNTech shot remains experimental because that final-stage study isn’t complete. As a result, the expert panel wrestled with a list of questions that have yet to be answered.For example, while the vaccine is more than 90% effective in blocking the symptoms of COVID-19, the FDA’s advisers stressed it is not yet clear if it can stop the silent, symptomless spread that accounts for up to half of cases.“Even though the individual efficacy of this vaccine is very, very, very high, you really as of right now do not have any evidence” that it will lower transmission, said Dr. Patrick Moore of the University of Pittsburgh. He urged Pfizer to take additional steps to answer that question.And the advisers are worried that Pfizer will lose its opportunity to answer critical questions as it begins offering the real vaccine to study participants who had been getting dummy shots.The company proposed gradually moving those patients to the vaccine group, with priority based on age, health conditions and other factors. Under that plan, 70-year-old participants would cross over before healthy 30-year-olds.Pfizer must still show whether the vaccine works in children younger than 16 and in pregnant women.On the safety front, as widespread vaccinations begin, the first recipients will be closely tracked by government health authorities since studies in tens of thousands of people can’t detect rare risks that strike 1 in a million. Hanging over the meeting were the British allergic reactions and a warning from authorities there that people with a history of serious reactions shouldn’t get the vaccine for now.Pfizer representatives said they have seen no signs of allergic reactions in their trial. But some of the FDA advisers fear the British warning will deter millions of Americans with allergies who might benefit from the COVID-19 vaccine from giving it a try, and urged additional studies to try to settle the issue.“This issue is not going to die until we have better data,” Offit said.

FDA panel votes to approve Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine

St.
Joseph health officials reported 107 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday with
two additional deaths.

A
man in his 70s and a woman in her 90s both with underlying health conditions
died of COVID-19.

The
deaths bring the total in Buchanan County to 94. Buchanan County has had a
total of 7,128 cases since the pandemic began.

Mosaic
Life Care reports treating 72 COVID-19 patients in its system as of Wednesday
morning; 60 in St. Joseph, seven in Maryville, and five in Albany.

Mosaic
has tested 55,122 area residents with 6,852 testing
positive.

Andrew
County reports 1,344 total cases with 13 deaths.

Doniphan
County, Kansas reports a total of 571 cases.

Atchison
County, Kansas reports total cases there topped one thousand, with a total of
1,012 cases.

Missouri
health officials report 330,846 total cases since this pandemic
began, leading to 4,383 deaths.

Kansas
health officials report 179,803 total cases with 1,941
deaths.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt.
Joseph health officials reported 107 new coronavirus cases on Wednesday with
two additional deaths.A
man in his 70s and a woman in her 90s both with underlying health conditions
died of COVID-19.The
deaths bring the total in Buchanan County to 94. Buchanan County has had a
total of 7,128 cases since the pandemic began.Mosaic
Life Care reports treating 72 COVID-19 patients in its system as of Wednesday
morning; 60 in St. Joseph, seven in Maryville, and five in Albany.Mosaic
has tested 55,122 area residents with 6,852 testing
positive.Andrew
County reports 1,344 total cases with 13 deaths.Doniphan
County, Kansas reports a total of 571 cases.Atchison
County, Kansas reports total cases there topped one thousand, with a total of
1,012 cases.Missouri
health officials report 330,846 total cases since this pandemic
began, leading to 4,383 deaths.Kansas
health officials report 179,803 total cases with 1,941
deaths.

St. Joseph reports 107 new COVID-19 cases, two more deaths

WASHINGTON (AP) — Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine faces one final hurdle as it races to become the first shot greenlighted in the U.S.: a panel of experts who will scrutinize the company’s data for any red flags.

or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?507053-1/fda-holds-open-meeting-pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine">CLICK here to watch</a>&nbsp;the hearing that begins at 8 a.m. CST

Thursday’s meeting of the Food and Drug Administration’s vaccine advisory panel is likely the last step before a U.S. decision to begin shipping millions of doses of the shot, which has shown strong protection against the coronavirus.

The FDA panel functions like a science court that will pick apart the data and debate — in public and live-streamed — whether the shot is safe and effective enough to be cleared for emergency use. The non-government experts specialize in vaccine development, infectious diseases and medical statistics. The FDA&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-236677e5030e61b70ce432cfd9fd9b8b">is expected to follow</a>&nbsp;the committee’s advice, although it is not required to do so.

The FDA’s decision comes as the coronavirus continues surging across much of the world, claiming more than 1.5 million lives, including more than 289,000 in the U.S.

Hanging over the meeting is a warning from U.K. officials that people with a history of serious&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/allergy-reaction-vaccines-rare-explained-4ee5fb2f2553863d9d2659b1f06a0e21">allergic reactions</a>&nbsp;shouldn’t get the vaccine. Government officials there are investigating two reports of reactions that occurred when the country began mass vaccinations.

Still, a positive recommendation and speedy U.S. approval seem nearly certain after FDA scientists issued an overwhelmingly positive initial review of the vaccine earlier this week.

FDA said results from Pfizer’s large, ongoing study showed the shot, which was co-developed with Germany’s BioNTech, was more than 90% effective across people of different ages, races and underlying health conditions, including diabetes and obesity. No major safety issues were uncovered and common vaccine-related side effects like fever, fatigue and injection site pain were tolerable.

“The data presented in the briefing report were consistent with what we heard before and are really exciting,” said Dr. William Moss, head of Johns Hopkins University’s International Vaccine Access Center. “Nothing that I see would delay an emergency use authorization.”

The meeting also gives regulators an opportunity to try to boost&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-norc-poll-us-half-want-vaccine-shots-4d98dbfc0a64d60d52ac84c3065dac55">public confidence</a>&nbsp;in the breakneck development process that has produced the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and a string of other upcoming shots in less than a year. The FDA has also faced weeks of verbal abuse from President Donald Trump for not rushing out a vaccine before Election Day.

“There have been a lot of questions about why it takes us so long or ‘are we being rigorous enough?’” said FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn in an interview. “I’m hoping that people will see with our transparency that we have taken a very rigorous stance on this.”

Hahn said the agency has already teed up the process to authorize the vaccine by filling out all the legal paperwork in advance, regardless of the ultimate decision.

The FDA uncovered no major safety issues in its review of Pfizer’s 44,000-person study, including no allergic reactions of the type reported in the U.K. But such studies can’t detect rare problems that might only affect a tiny slice of the general population.

FDA reviewers noted four cases of Bell’s palsy that all occurred among people getting the vaccine. They concluded the cases were likely unrelated to the vaccine because they occurred at rates that would be expected without any medical intervention. But the agency did say cases of the nerve disorder should be tracked, given that other vaccines can cause the problem.

“I think we have to be upfront, without scaring people, that we don’t know yet about any potential, rare, long-term adverse events,” Moss said.

The FDA found the vaccine highly effective across various demographic groups.

But it’s unclear how well the vaccine works in people with HIV and other immune-system disorders.

The study excluded pregnant women, but experts will tease apart the data for any hints in case women get vaccinated before realizing they’re pregnant.

A study of children as young as 12 is underway.

Answering some of these questions will require keeping Pfizer’s study going for many more months.

When the FDA panel met in October, experts warned against allowing trial participants who received placebos to switch and get the real vaccine immediately after it receives the FDA’s emergency OK. Doing that could make it impossible to get answers to long-term questions, including how long the protection lasts.

Pfizer and BioNTech say they want to allow such participants to get the vaccine either upon request or, at the latest, after six months of follow-up.

The FDA still hasn’t made clear if it will accept that approach.

“FDA is adamant that they want these trials completed,” said Norman Baylor, former director of FDA’s vaccine office, adding that its expert panel members “know that too.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/12/1607605686018.png" alt="During a news conference Wednesday, KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman shows the packaging container used to ship the vaccine to the state from Pfizer. It contains a probe to monitor the cold temperature necessary to store the vaccine." />
 <figcaption>During a news conference Wednesday, KDHE Secretary Dr. Lee Norman shows the packaging container used to ship the vaccine to the state from Pfizer. It contains a probe to monitor the cold temperature necessary to store the vaccine.</figcaption>
 </figure>WASHINGTON (AP) — Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine faces one final hurdle as it races to become the first shot greenlighted in the U.S.: a panel of experts who will scrutinize the company’s data for any red flags.<div><iframe src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FFDA%2Fvideos%2F849134789187196%2F&show_text=false&width=560" width="560" height="314" style="border:none;overflow:hidden" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowFullScreen="true"></iframe></div>or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.c-span.org/video/?507053-1/fda-holds-open-meeting-pfizer-biontech-covid-19-vaccine">CLICK here to watch</a>&nbsp;the hearing that begins at 8 a.m. CSTThursday’s meeting of the Food and Drug Administration’s vaccine advisory panel is likely the last step before a U.S. decision to begin shipping millions of doses of the shot, which has shown strong protection against the coronavirus.The FDA panel functions like a science court that will pick apart the data and debate — in public and live-streamed — whether the shot is safe and effective enough to be cleared for emergency use. The non-government experts specialize in vaccine development, infectious diseases and medical statistics. The FDA&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-236677e5030e61b70ce432cfd9fd9b8b">is expected to follow</a>&nbsp;the committee’s advice, although it is not required to do so.The FDA’s decision comes as the coronavirus continues surging across much of the world, claiming more than 1.5 million lives, including more than 289,000 in the U.S.Hanging over the meeting is a warning from U.K. officials that people with a history of serious&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/allergy-reaction-vaccines-rare-explained-4ee5fb2f2553863d9d2659b1f06a0e21">allergic reactions</a>&nbsp;shouldn’t get the vaccine. Government officials there are investigating two reports of reactions that occurred when the country began mass vaccinations.Still, a positive recommendation and speedy U.S. approval seem nearly certain after FDA scientists issued an overwhelmingly positive initial review of the vaccine earlier this week.FDA said results from Pfizer’s large, ongoing study showed the shot, which was co-developed with Germany’s BioNTech, was more than 90% effective across people of different ages, races and underlying health conditions, including diabetes and obesity. No major safety issues were uncovered and common vaccine-related side effects like fever, fatigue and injection site pain were tolerable.“The data presented in the briefing report were consistent with what we heard before and are really exciting,” said Dr. William Moss, head of Johns Hopkins University’s International Vaccine Access Center. “Nothing that I see would delay an emergency use authorization.”The meeting also gives regulators an opportunity to try to boost&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/ap-norc-poll-us-half-want-vaccine-shots-4d98dbfc0a64d60d52ac84c3065dac55">public confidence</a>&nbsp;in the breakneck development process that has produced the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and a string of other upcoming shots in less than a year. The FDA has also faced weeks of verbal abuse from President Donald Trump for not rushing out a vaccine before Election Day.“There have been a lot of questions about why it takes us so long or ‘are we being rigorous enough?’” said FDA Commissioner Stephen Hahn in an interview. “I’m hoping that people will see with our transparency that we have taken a very rigorous stance on this.”Hahn said the agency has already teed up the process to authorize the vaccine by filling out all the legal paperwork in advance, regardless of the ultimate decision.On Thursday’s agenda:RARE ADVERSE REACTIONSThe FDA uncovered no major safety issues in its review of Pfizer’s 44,000-person study, including no allergic reactions of the type reported in the U.K. But such studies can’t detect rare problems that might only affect a tiny slice of the general population.FDA reviewers noted four cases of Bell’s palsy that all occurred among people getting the vaccine. They concluded the cases were likely unrelated to the vaccine because they occurred at rates that would be expected without any medical intervention. But the agency did say cases of the nerve disorder should be tracked, given that other vaccines can cause the problem.“I think we have to be upfront, without scaring people, that we don’t know yet about any potential, rare, long-term adverse events,” Moss said.EFFICACY QUESTIONSThe FDA found the vaccine highly effective across various demographic groups.But it’s unclear how well the vaccine works in people with HIV and other immune-system disorders.The study excluded pregnant women, but experts will tease apart the data for any hints in case women get vaccinated before realizing they’re pregnant.A study of children as young as 12 is underway.IMPACT OF EMERGENCY AUTHORIZATIONAnswering some of these questions will require keeping Pfizer’s study going for many more months.When the FDA panel met in October, experts warned against allowing trial participants who received placebos to switch and get the real vaccine immediately after it receives the FDA’s emergency OK. Doing that could make it impossible to get answers to long-term questions, including how long the protection lasts.Pfizer and BioNTech say they want to allow such participants to get the vaccine either upon request or, at the latest, after six months of follow-up.The FDA still hasn’t made clear if it will accept that approach.“FDA is adamant that they want these trials completed,” said Norman Baylor, former director of FDA’s vaccine office, adding that its expert panel members “know that too.”___

🎥  Countdown to vaccine: FDA approval hearing 

A sharp increase in new coronavirus cases brings the total
number of COVID-19 cases in Buchanan County to more than 7,000.

St. Joseph health officials report 142 new COVID-19 cases on
Tuesday, bringing the county total since the pandemic began to 7,021. 

Two additional deaths have been reported. A woman in her 80s
and a woman in her 90s, both with underlying health conditions, died from
COVID-19. Buchanan County has recorded a total of 92 deaths.

The St. Joseph Health Department says the 142 new cases on Tuesday
surpasses the previous one-day record of 133 cases set on November 16th.

Mosaic Life Care reports it is treating 70 total coronavirus patients
in its system. Mosaic reports it has 58 COVID-19 patients in St. Joseph as of
Wednesday morning, which is down from 63 the day before. Mosaic is treating
seven COVID-19 patients Maryville, down from 11. Five coronavirus patients are
being treated in Albany.

Mosaic has tested 54,734 area residents with 6,792 testing positive.
Mosaic is awaiting results from 230 tests.

Andrew County reports a total of 1,344 cases with 13
deaths.

Doniphan County, Kansas reports 556 total cases.

Missouri health officials report 328,206 total cases
with 4,355 deaths.

Kansas health officials report a total of 174,025
cases, resulting in 1,856 deaths.

This article has been updated with the latest figures from Mosaic.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA sharp increase in new coronavirus cases brings the total
number of COVID-19 cases in Buchanan County to more than 7,000.St. Joseph health officials report 142 new COVID-19 cases on
Tuesday, bringing the county total since the pandemic began to 7,021. Two additional deaths have been reported. A woman in her 80s
and a woman in her 90s, both with underlying health conditions, died from
COVID-19. Buchanan County has recorded a total of 92 deaths.The St. Joseph Health Department says the 142 new cases on Tuesday
surpasses the previous one-day record of 133 cases set on November 16th.The St. Joseph Health Department says the 142 new cases on Tuesday
surpasses the previous one-day record of 133 cases set on November 16th.Mosaic Life Care reports it is treating 70 total coronavirus patients
in its system. Mosaic reports it has 58 COVID-19 patients in St. Joseph as of
Wednesday morning, which is down from 63 the day before. Mosaic is treating
seven COVID-19 patients Maryville, down from 11. Five coronavirus patients are
being treated in Albany.Mosaic has tested 54,734 area residents with 6,792 testing positive.
Mosaic is awaiting results from 230 tests.Andrew County reports a total of 1,344 cases with 13
deaths.Doniphan County, Kansas reports 556 total cases.Missouri health officials report 328,206 total cases
with 4,355 deaths.Kansas health officials report a total of 174,025
cases, resulting in 1,856 deaths.This article has been updated with the latest figures from Mosaic.

St. Joseph has record daily COVID-19 count, two additional deaths

St.
Joseph health officials report four additional COVID-19 deaths since their last
coronavirus report on Friday as well as 126 new coronavirus cases on Monday.

A
man in his 80s, two women in their 80s and a woman in her 70s are listed as
dying from the virus.

Mosaic
Life Care reports it is treating 79 COVID-19 patients in its system; 63 in St.
Joseph, 11 in Maryville, and five in Albany.

Mosaic
has tested 54,399 area residents with 6,689 testing positive. Mosaic is
awaiting results from 378 tests.

Andrew
County health officials report a total of 1,327 coronavirus cases and 13
deaths.

Doniphan
County, Kansas reports 556 total cases.

Missouri
reports nearly 324,956 cases of COVID-19, resulting in 4,194 deaths.

Kansas
reports more than 174,025 cases with 1,856 deaths.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt.
Joseph health officials report four additional COVID-19 deaths since their last
coronavirus report on Friday as well as 126 new coronavirus cases on Monday.A
man in his 80s, two women in their 80s and a woman in her 70s are listed as
dying from the virus.Mosaic
Life Care reports it is treating 79 COVID-19 patients in its system; 63 in St.
Joseph, 11 in Maryville, and five in Albany.Mosaic
has tested 54,399 area residents with 6,689 testing positive. Mosaic is
awaiting results from 378 tests.Andrew
County health officials report a total of 1,327 coronavirus cases and 13
deaths.Doniphan
County, Kansas reports 556 total cases.Missouri
reports nearly 324,956 cases of COVID-19, resulting in 4,194 deaths.Kansas
reports more than 174,025 cases with 1,856 deaths.

126 new COVID-19 cases in Buchanan County; 4 additional deaths

Mosaic Life Care reports it is treating 74 patients in its
system as of Monday morning; 63 in St. Joseph, seven in Maryville, and four in
Albany.

Those numbers are up slightly from the numbers released
Sunday.

Mosaic has now tested 53,950 area residents with 6,650 testing
positive. Mosaic is awaiting results from 76 tests.

St. Joseph health officials reported 104 new COVID-19 cases in
Buchanan County on Friday, bringing the county total to 6,607.
Buchanan County has recorded 86 deaths.

Andrew County reports 1,238 cases with 13 deaths.

Doniphan County, Kansas reports 547 cases.

Missouri health officials report 324,956 total coronavirus cases since the pandemic began with 4,194 deaths.

Kansas reports 168,295 cases, resulting in
1,786 deaths.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMosaic Life Care reports it is treating 74 patients in its
system as of Monday morning; 63 in St. Joseph, seven in Maryville, and four in
Albany.Those numbers are up slightly from the numbers released
Sunday.Mosaic has now tested 53,950 area residents with 6,650 testing
positive. Mosaic is awaiting results from 76 tests.St. Joseph health officials reported 104 new COVID-19 cases in
Buchanan County on Friday, bringing the county total to 6,607.
Buchanan County has recorded 86 deaths.Andrew County reports 1,238 cases with 13 deaths.Doniphan County, Kansas reports 547 cases.Missouri health officials report 324,956 total coronavirus cases since the pandemic began with 4,194 deaths.Kansas reports 168,295 cases, resulting in
1,786 deaths.

Mosaic Life Care reports 74 COVID-19 patients in system

LONDON (AP) — Shipments of the coronavirus vaccine developed by American drugmaker Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech were delivered Sunday in the U.K. in super-cold containers, two days before it goes public in an immunization program that is being closely watched around the world.

Around 800,000 doses of the vaccine were expected to be in place for the start of the immunization program on Tuesday, a day that Health Secretary Matt Hancock has reportedly dubbed as “V-Day,” a nod to triumphs in World War II.

“To know that they are here, and we are amongst the first in the country to actually receive the vaccine and therefore the first in the world, is just amazing,” said Louise Coughlan, joint chief pharmacist at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, just south of London.

“I’m so proud,” she said after the trust, which runs Croydon University Hospital, took delivery of the vaccine.

Last week, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/uk-authorizes-vaccine-emergency-use-ea0170c978eb281a905866e5bd78bbdf">U.K. became the first country to authorize the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine</a>&nbsp;for emergency use. In trials, the vaccine was shown to have around 95% efficacy. Vaccinations will be administered starting Tuesday at around 50 hospital hubs in England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will also begin their vaccination rollouts the same day.

Governments and health agencies around the world will be monitoring the British vaccination program, which will take months, to note its successes and failures and adjust their own plans accordingly. The U.S. hopes to start vaccinations later this month. British regulatory authorities are also examining data on the vaccines from American biotechnology company Moderna and AstraZeneca-Oxford University.

Russia on Saturday began vaccinating thousands of doctors, teachers and others at dozens of centers in Moscow with its Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine, which was approved over the summer after being tested in only a few dozen people.

The excitement in Britain, which has Europe’s highest virus-related death toll at more than 61,000, was palpable.

“Despite the huge complexities, hospitals will kickstart the first phase of the largest scale vaccination campaign in our country’s history from Tuesday,” said Professor Stephen Powis, NHS England’s national medical director.

Patients aged 80 and above who are already attending hospitals as outpatients and those being discharged after a stay in the hospital will be among the first to receive the jab. Hospitals will also start inviting over 80s in for a vaccine shot and will work with nursing homes to book staff into vaccination clinics. Any appointments not taken up will be offered to those health workers deemed to be at the highest risk of COVID-19. Everyone who is vaccinated will need a booster jab 21 days later.

Buckingham Palace refused to comment on speculation that Queen Elizabeth II, 94, and her 99-year-old husband, Prince Philip, will soon be vaccinated and then make it public, a move that could reassure anyone nervous about getting a vaccination.

“Our goal is totally to protect every member of the population, Her Majesty, of course, as well,” Dr. June Raine, chief executive of Britain’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, which authorized the vaccine, told the BBC.

The U.K. has secured 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, which can cover 20 million people. Since the British government will only immunize people over 16, around 55 million people in the U.K. will be eligible. In total, Britain has procured 357 million doses of seven vaccine candidates, including 100 million of the much cheaper Oxford vaccine, which has a lower efficacy rate than the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.

Now that the first tranche of the vaccine has arrived from Pfizer’s manufacturing plant in Belgium, checks are being conducted by a specialist medical logistics company to ensure there was no damage in transit. This could take up to a day.

Each box containing the vaccines, which includes five packs of 975 doses, will need to be opened and unpacked manually at specially licensed sites. After that, the vaccines will then be made available to hospitals.

Delivering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is complicated because it needs to be stored at super-chilled temperatures: about minus 70 degrees Celsius (minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit). Fortunately, the vaccine is stable at normal refrigerator temperatures, between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius (35.6 to 46.4 F), for a few days, meaning it can be stored locally. After defrosting the vaccine, which takes a few hours, additional time is required to prepare it to be given in a shot.

Public Health England has secured 58 special Twin Guard ultra-low temperature freezers that provide sufficient storage for approximately five million doses. The fridges, which are not portable, each hold around 86,000 doses.

The vaccine&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-germany-immunizations-coronavirus-pandemic-3ac7e19981b7937f0f08a29667ddf09e">won’t just be provided by hospitals</a>. Local doctors’ offices and other local health care centers are being put on standby to start delivering the vaccine, with a small number expected to do so the week of Dec. 14. More medical practices in more parts of the country will be phased in during December and in the coming months.

There are plans for vaccination centers treating large numbers of patients in sports areas and conference centers and for local pharmacies to be able to offer the jabs as they do with annual influenza shots.

Although nursing home residents top the prioritization list given to the British government by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization, they won’t be getting the vaccinations straight away, as the vaccine packs of 975 doses cannot yet be divided, making it very difficult to deliver vaccines to individual care homes.

The NHS hopes authorities will soon approve a safe way of splitting up the dose packs so the shots can get to nursing homes during December.

During the first phase of the immunization program, Britain has created nine separate groups in its prioritization list down to those aged 50 and above. Overall, it hopes that up to 99% of people most at risk of dying from COVID 19 will have been immunized during the first phase.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1600861747887.png" alt="Photo courtesy Johnson &amp; Johnson" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Johnson &amp; Johnson</figcaption>
 </figure>LONDON (AP) — Shipments of the coronavirus vaccine developed by American drugmaker Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech were delivered Sunday in the U.K. in super-cold containers, two days before it goes public in an immunization program that is being closely watched around the world.Around 800,000 doses of the vaccine were expected to be in place for the start of the immunization program on Tuesday, a day that Health Secretary Matt Hancock has reportedly dubbed as “V-Day,” a nod to triumphs in World War II.“To know that they are here, and we are amongst the first in the country to actually receive the vaccine and therefore the first in the world, is just amazing,” said Louise Coughlan, joint chief pharmacist at Croydon Health Services NHS Trust, just south of London.“I’m so proud,” she said after the trust, which runs Croydon University Hospital, took delivery of the vaccine.Last week, the&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/uk-authorizes-vaccine-emergency-use-ea0170c978eb281a905866e5bd78bbdf">U.K. became the first country to authorize the Pfizer-BioNtech vaccine</a>&nbsp;for emergency use. In trials, the vaccine was shown to have around 95% efficacy. Vaccinations will be administered starting Tuesday at around 50 hospital hubs in England. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will also begin their vaccination rollouts the same day.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1605532171471.png" alt="Photo courtesy Moderna" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Moderna</figcaption>
 </figure>Governments and health agencies around the world will be monitoring the British vaccination program, which will take months, to note its successes and failures and adjust their own plans accordingly. The U.S. hopes to start vaccinations later this month. British regulatory authorities are also examining data on the vaccines from American biotechnology company Moderna and AstraZeneca-Oxford University.Russia on Saturday began vaccinating thousands of doctors, teachers and others at dozens of centers in Moscow with its Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine, which was approved over the summer after being tested in only a few dozen people.The excitement in Britain, which has Europe’s highest virus-related death toll at more than 61,000, was palpable.“Despite the huge complexities, hospitals will kickstart the first phase of the largest scale vaccination campaign in our country’s history from Tuesday,” said Professor Stephen Powis, NHS England’s national medical director.Patients aged 80 and above who are already attending hospitals as outpatients and those being discharged after a stay in the hospital will be among the first to receive the jab. Hospitals will also start inviting over 80s in for a vaccine shot and will work with nursing homes to book staff into vaccination clinics. Any appointments not taken up will be offered to those health workers deemed to be at the highest risk of COVID-19. Everyone who is vaccinated will need a booster jab 21 days later.Buckingham Palace refused to comment on speculation that Queen Elizabeth II, 94, and her 99-year-old husband, Prince Philip, will soon be vaccinated and then make it public, a move that could reassure anyone nervous about getting a vaccination.“Our goal is totally to protect every member of the population, Her Majesty, of course, as well,” Dr. June Raine, chief executive of Britain’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, which authorized the vaccine, told the BBC.The U.K. has secured 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, which can cover 20 million people. Since the British government will only immunize people over 16, around 55 million people in the U.K. will be eligible. In total, Britain has procured 357 million doses of seven vaccine candidates, including 100 million of the much cheaper Oxford vaccine, which has a lower efficacy rate than the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines.Now that the first tranche of the vaccine has arrived from Pfizer’s manufacturing plant in Belgium, checks are being conducted by a specialist medical logistics company to ensure there was no damage in transit. This could take up to a day.Each box containing the vaccines, which includes five packs of 975 doses, will need to be opened and unpacked manually at specially licensed sites. After that, the vaccines will then be made available to hospitals.Delivering the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is complicated because it needs to be stored at super-chilled temperatures: about minus 70 degrees Celsius (minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit). Fortunately, the vaccine is stable at normal refrigerator temperatures, between 2 and 8 degrees Celsius (35.6 to 46.4 F), for a few days, meaning it can be stored locally. After defrosting the vaccine, which takes a few hours, additional time is required to prepare it to be given in a shot.Public Health England has secured 58 special Twin Guard ultra-low temperature freezers that provide sufficient storage for approximately five million doses. The fridges, which are not portable, each hold around 86,000 doses.The vaccine&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/europe-germany-immunizations-coronavirus-pandemic-3ac7e19981b7937f0f08a29667ddf09e">won’t just be provided by hospitals</a>. Local doctors’ offices and other local health care centers are being put on standby to start delivering the vaccine, with a small number expected to do so the week of Dec. 14. More medical practices in more parts of the country will be phased in during December and in the coming months.There are plans for vaccination centers treating large numbers of patients in sports areas and conference centers and for local pharmacies to be able to offer the jabs as they do with annual influenza shots.Although nursing home residents top the prioritization list given to the British government by the independent Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunization, they won’t be getting the vaccinations straight away, as the vaccine packs of 975 doses cannot yet be divided, making it very difficult to deliver vaccines to individual care homes.The NHS hopes authorities will soon approve a safe way of splitting up the dose packs so the shots can get to nursing homes during December.During the first phase of the immunization program, Britain has created nine separate groups in its prioritization list down to those aged 50 and above. Overall, it hopes that up to 99% of people most at risk of dying from COVID 19 will have been immunized during the first phase.

Huge coronavirus vaccine rollout set to begin

St. Joseph health officials reported 104 new coronavirus cases
on Friday.

The St. Joseph Health Department reports the total COVID-19
cases for Buchanan County since the pandemic began is 6,607, resulting in 86
deaths.

Mosaic Life Care reports it is treating 64 COVID-19 patients
in its system; 55 in St. Joseph, five in Maryville, and four in Albany.

Mosaic has now tested 53,730 area residents with 6,555 testing
positive. Mosaic is awaiting results from 315 tests.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph health officials reported 104 new coronavirus cases
on Friday.The St. Joseph Health Department reports the total COVID-19
cases for Buchanan County since the pandemic began is 6,607, resulting in 86
deaths.Mosaic Life Care reports it is treating 64 COVID-19 patients
in its system; 55 in St. Joseph, five in Maryville, and four in Albany.Mosaic has now tested 53,730 area residents with 6,555 testing
positive. Mosaic is awaiting results from 315 tests.

St. Joseph reports 104 new COVID-19 cases

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri's health director on Friday said the state should be able to vaccinate all hospital workers, nursing home staff and nursing home residents against COVID-19 by the end of the year.

Health department Director Randall Williams told reporters that Missouri is expecting to get close to 340,000 doses of coronavirus vaccines this month, which should be able to cover everyone in the priority groups.

Williams said Missouri plans to begin vaccinating non-essential workers in May. Anyone in the state who wants a vaccine should be able to get one by July or August, he said.

COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) — Missouri's health director on Friday said the state should be able to vaccinate all hospital workers, nursing home staff and nursing home residents against COVID-19 by the end of the year.Health department Director Randall Williams told reporters that Missouri is expecting to get close to 340,000 doses of coronavirus vaccines this month, which should be able to cover everyone in the priority groups.Williams said Missouri plans to begin vaccinating non-essential workers in May. Anyone in the state who wants a vaccine should be able to get one by July or August, he said.

Missouri plans to vaccinate priority groups this month

Missouri residents can receive a free COVID-19 test Saturday
in St. Joseph.

Another community-wide coronavirus testing event will be held
in the city as the city collaborates with the Missouri Department of Health and
Senior Services to test residents at least seven years old.

St. Joseph Department of Health spokeswoman Stephanie Malita says
tests in the past have gone well.

“The feedback that we have heard of has been very positive.
People are grateful that its free,” Malita tells St. Joseph Post. “Pricing, depending
on your level of insurance coverage, can be a barrier.”

The free drive-through testing will take place at the Aquatic
Park at 402 South Noyes Boulevard in St. Joseph between 8am and 4pm. Tests will
be taken through a nasal swab. Results should be back in 2-to-3 days.

The St. Joseph Health Department recommends registering with
the state beforehand to guarantee a test and make it a faster process. Click
<a href="https://dcphdo02redcap.azurewebsites.net/redcap/surveys/?s=XTLH7FCLD7">here</a> for a link to register.

Malita says the free testing offers a great opportunity for
those worried about the coronavirus.

“If you’re unsure of your exposure level and you just want to
see if you have COVID or if you’re having symptoms that you think might be
allergies or oh, I’ve just got a cold, this is a good opportunity to go ahead
and get tested,” according to Malita.

Test results from the past indicate the growth of the pandemic
locally.

The St. Joseph Health Department says results from the first community
testing event in June showed a .71% positive rate. The positivity rate rose during
an October event to 3.01% and rose again after the November testing event to
19.55%.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostMissouri residents can receive a free COVID-19 test Saturday
in St. Joseph.Another community-wide coronavirus testing event will be held
in the city as the city collaborates with the Missouri Department of Health and
Senior Services to test residents at least seven years old.St. Joseph Department of Health spokeswoman Stephanie Malita says
tests in the past have gone well.“The feedback that we have heard of has been very positive.
People are grateful that its free,” Malita tells St. Joseph Post. “Pricing, depending
on your level of insurance coverage, can be a barrier.”The free drive-through testing will take place at the Aquatic
Park at 402 South Noyes Boulevard in St. Joseph between 8am and 4pm. Tests will
be taken through a nasal swab. Results should be back in 2-to-3 days.The St. Joseph Health Department recommends registering with
the state beforehand to guarantee a test and make it a faster process. Click
<a href="https://dcphdo02redcap.azurewebsites.net/redcap/surveys/?s=XTLH7FCLD7">here</a> for a link to register.Malita says the free testing offers a great opportunity for
those worried about the coronavirus.“If you’re unsure of your exposure level and you just want to
see if you have COVID or if you’re having symptoms that you think might be
allergies or oh, I’ve just got a cold, this is a good opportunity to go ahead
and get tested,” according to Malita.Any Missouri resident can get tested.Test results from the past indicate the growth of the pandemic
locally.The St. Joseph Health Department says results from the first community
testing event in June showed a .71% positive rate. The positivity rate rose during
an October event to 3.01% and rose again after the November testing event to
19.55%.

Free COVID-19 testing offered to Missouri residents in St. Joseph Saturday

St.
Joseph health officials report 123 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, also
reporting two additional deaths.

Mosaic
Life Care reports hospitalizations continue to drop.

Health
officials say a man in his 80’s and another in his 90’s, both with underlying health
conditions, died of COVID-19.

Buchanan
County has now recorded 6,503 cases since the pandemic began,
resulting in 86 deaths.

Mosaic
Life Care reports it is treated 60 COVID-19 patients as of Friday morning; 52
in St. Joseph, four in Maryville, and four in Albany. Mosaic reported 58
COVID-19 patients at the St. Joseph hospital on Thursday.

Mosaic
has now tested 53,327 area residents with 6,458 testing
positive. Mosaic is awaiting results from 403 tests.

Andrew
County reports 1,238 cases, resulting in 13 deaths.

Doniphan
County, Kansas reports 534 cases.

Missouri
health officials report 313,421 total cases, resulting in 4,122 deaths.

Kansas
health officials report 162,061 cases with 1,679 deaths.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt.
Joseph health officials report 123 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, also
reporting two additional deaths.Mosaic
Life Care reports hospitalizations continue to drop.Health
officials say a man in his 80’s and another in his 90’s, both with underlying health
conditions, died of COVID-19.Buchanan
County has now recorded 6,503 cases since the pandemic began,
resulting in 86 deaths.Mosaic
Life Care reports it is treated 60 COVID-19 patients as of Friday morning; 52
in St. Joseph, four in Maryville, and four in Albany. Mosaic reported 58
COVID-19 patients at the St. Joseph hospital on Thursday.Mosaic
has now tested 53,327 area residents with 6,458 testing
positive. Mosaic is awaiting results from 403 tests.Andrew
County reports 1,238 cases, resulting in 13 deaths.Doniphan
County, Kansas reports 534 cases.Missouri
health officials report 313,421 total cases, resulting in 4,122 deaths.Kansas
health officials report 162,061 cases with 1,679 deaths.

St. Joseph reports 123 new COVID-19 patients as hospitalizations drop

A rise in the number of coronavirus cases has prompted the St.
Joseph Health Department to change its COVID-19 contact tracing protocol.

Stephanie Malita with the department says health officials
have been trying to talk with anyone who had come into close contact with those
testing positive for COVID-19.

“We asked them to review who they had been around for 15
minutes or longer and within six feet or less whether they were wearing a mask
or not,” Malita tells St. Joseph Post.

That contact tracing has become more and more of a burden with
the recent rise in coronavirus numbers. The 14-day average in Buchanan County
has nearly doubled in the past month, from 45 to 82.

Malita says the St. Joseph Health Department has used up to
eight staff members to reach out to those who have been in close contact with
anyone testing positive for COVID-19. They can no longer keep up with the
demands of contact tracing with the increase in daily numbers rising so
dramatically. The highest number of positive tests reported in the last two
weeks was 121 on the 24th of November just before Thanksgiving with
the lowest being the 38 cases reported on Monday. The department reported Buchanan
County had 107 new cases on Wednesday.

Now, the department is asking those infected to contact those with
whom they came into close contact.

“If somebody’s home and isolating like they should be, we’re
hopeful that they’ll be able to take the time to make those calls,” Malita
says.

If a person tests positive for COVID-19 they are asked to
quarantine for at least 10 days.

Malita says the change in contact tracing protocol is in line
with changes suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and the Missouri
Department of Health.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostA rise in the number of coronavirus cases has prompted the St.
Joseph Health Department to change its COVID-19 contact tracing protocol.Stephanie Malita with the department says health officials
have been trying to talk with anyone who had come into close contact with those
testing positive for COVID-19.“We asked them to review who they had been around for 15
minutes or longer and within six feet or less whether they were wearing a mask
or not,” Malita tells St. Joseph Post.That contact tracing has become more and more of a burden with
the recent rise in coronavirus numbers. The 14-day average in Buchanan County
has nearly doubled in the past month, from 45 to 82.Malita says the St. Joseph Health Department has used up to
eight staff members to reach out to those who have been in close contact with
anyone testing positive for COVID-19. They can no longer keep up with the
demands of contact tracing with the increase in daily numbers rising so
dramatically. The highest number of positive tests reported in the last two
weeks was 121 on the 24th of November just before Thanksgiving with
the lowest being the 38 cases reported on Monday. The department reported Buchanan
County had 107 new cases on Wednesday.Now, the department is asking those infected to contact those with
whom they came into close contact.“If somebody’s home and isolating like they should be, we’re
hopeful that they’ll be able to take the time to make those calls,” Malita
says.If a person tests positive for COVID-19 they are asked to
quarantine for at least 10 days.Malita says the change in contact tracing protocol is in line
with changes suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and the Missouri
Department of Health.

Rising COVID-19 numbers forces change in St. Joseph contact tracing

St. Joseph health officials report 107 new coronavirus cases in
Buchanan County even as hospitalizations dropped in St. Joseph.

The St. Joseph Health Department reports an additional death,
a woman in her 90’s with underlying health conditions.

Buchanan County has now recorded 6,380 cases resulting in 84
deaths.

Mosaic Life Care reports it is treating 66 COVID-19 patients
in its system as of Thursday morning; 58 in St. Joseph, four in Maryville, and four in Albany.

Mosaic reported 86 total COVID-19 cases in its system Monday
with 74 patients in St. Joseph.

Mosaic has tested 52,913 area residents with 6,358 testing positive.

Andrew County reports 1,238 total COVID-19 cases with 13
deaths.

Doniphan County, Kansas reports 534 total cases.

Missouri reports a total of 305,370 cases, resulting in 4,043
deaths.

Kansas reports 162,061 with 1,679 deaths.

By BRENT MARTINSt. Joseph PostSt. Joseph health officials report 107 new coronavirus cases in
Buchanan County even as hospitalizations dropped in St. Joseph.The St. Joseph Health Department reports an additional death,
a woman in her 90’s with underlying health conditions.Buchanan County has now recorded 6,380 cases resulting in 84
deaths.Mosaic Life Care reports it is treating 66 COVID-19 patients
in its system as of Thursday morning; 58 in St. Joseph, four in Maryville, and four in Albany.Mosaic reported 86 total COVID-19 cases in its system Monday
with 74 patients in St. Joseph.Mosaic has tested 52,913 area residents with 6,358 testing positive.Andrew County reports 1,238 total COVID-19 cases with 13
deaths.Doniphan County, Kansas reports 534 total cases.Missouri reports a total of 305,370 cases, resulting in 4,043
deaths.Kansas reports 162,061 with 1,679 deaths.

St. Joseph reports 107 new COVID-19 cases as hospitalizations drop

By LAURAN NEERGAARD and DANICA KIRKA, Associated Press

British officials authorized a COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use on Wednesday, greenlighting the world’s first shot against the virus that’s backed by rigorous science and taking a major step toward eventually ending the pandemic.

The go-ahead for the vaccine developed by American drugmaker Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech comes as the virus surges again in the United States and Europe, putting pressure on hospitals and morgues in some places and forcing new rounds of restrictions that have devastated economies.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, which licenses drugs in the U.K., recommended the vaccine could be used after it reviewed the results of clinical trials that showed the vaccine was 95% effective overall — and that it also offered significant protection for older people, among those most at risk of dying from the disease. But the vaccine remains experimental while final testing is done.

“Help is on its way,″ British Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the BBC, adding that the situation would start to improve in the spring.

“We now have a vaccine. We’re the first country in the world to have one formally clinically authorized but, between now and then, we’ve got to hold on, we’ve got to hold our resolve,” he said.

Other countries aren’t far behind: Regulators in the United States and the European Union also are vetting the Pfizer shot along with a similar&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moderna-asks-regulators-ok-virus-shots-a65a00cdf9725c9104886ded9052a85d">vaccine made by competitor Moderna Inc</a>. British regulators also are considering another&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/astrazeneca-vaccine-third-cheaper-oxford-c99d26eb2946f6fde45a1edc002ff028">shot made by AstraZeneca and Oxford University</a>.

Hancock said Britain expects to begin receiving the first shipment of 800,000 doses “within days,″ and people will begin receiving shots as soon as the National Health Service gets the vaccine.

Doses everywhere are scarce, and initial supplies will be rationed until more is manufactured in the first several months of next year.

A government committee will release details of vaccination priorities later Wednesday, but Hancock said nursing home residents, people over 80, and healthcare workers and other care workers will be the first to receive the shot.

Pfizer said it would immediately begin shipping limited supplies to the U.K. — and has been gearing up for even wider distribution if given a similar nod by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a decision expected as early as next week.

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla called the U.K. decision “a historic moment.”

“We are focusing on moving with the same level of urgency to safely supply a high-quality vaccine around the world,” Bourla said in a statement.

While the U.K. has ordered 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, enough for 20 million people, it’s not clear how many will arrive by year’s end. Hancock said the U.K. expects to receive “millions of doses” by the end of this year, adding that the actual number will depend on how fast Pfizer can produce the vaccine.

One concern about the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is that it must be stored and shipped at ultra-cold temperatures of around minus 70 degrees Celsius (minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit), adding to the challenge of distributing the vaccine around the world.

Pfizer says it has developed shipping containers that use dry ice to keep the vaccine cool. GPS-enabled sensors will allow the company to track each shipment and ensure they stay cold, the company says.

“Pfizer has vast experience and expertise in cold-chain shipping and has an established infrastructure to supply the vaccine worldwide, including distribution hubs that can store vaccine doses for up to six months,” the company said in a statement.

The company also says it has agreed to work with other vaccine makers to ensure there is sufficient supply and a range of vaccines, “including those suitable for global access.”

Every country has different rules for determining when an experimental vaccine is safe and effective enough to use. Intense political pressure to be the first to roll out a rigorously scientifically tested shot colored the race in the U.S. and Britain, even as researchers pledged to cut no corners. In contrast, China and Russia have offered different vaccinations to their citizens ahead of late-stage testing.

The shots made by U.S.-based Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech were tested in tens of thousands of people. And while that study isn’t complete, early results suggest the vaccine is 95% effective at preventing mild to severe COVID-19 disease. The companies told regulators that of the first 170 infections detected in study volunteers, only eight were among people who’d received the actual vaccine and the rest had gotten a dummy shot.

“This is an extraordinarily strong protection,” Dr. Ugur Sahin, BioNTech’s CEO, recently told The Associated Press.

The companies also reported no serious side effects, although vaccine recipients may experience temporary pain and flu-like reactions immediately after injections.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/11/1604926559777.png" alt="Photo courtesy Pfizer" />
 <figcaption>Photo courtesy Pfizer</figcaption>
 </figure>By LAURAN NEERGAARD and DANICA KIRKA, Associated PressBritish officials authorized a COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use on Wednesday, greenlighting the world’s first shot against the virus that’s backed by rigorous science and taking a major step toward eventually ending the pandemic.The go-ahead for the vaccine developed by American drugmaker Pfizer and Germany’s BioNTech comes as the virus surges again in the United States and Europe, putting pressure on hospitals and morgues in some places and forcing new rounds of restrictions that have devastated economies.The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, which licenses drugs in the U.K., recommended the vaccine could be used after it reviewed the results of clinical trials that showed the vaccine was 95% effective overall — and that it also offered significant protection for older people, among those most at risk of dying from the disease. But the vaccine remains experimental while final testing is done.“Help is on its way,″ British Health Secretary Matt Hancock told the BBC, adding that the situation would start to improve in the spring.“We now have a vaccine. We’re the first country in the world to have one formally clinically authorized but, between now and then, we’ve got to hold on, we’ve got to hold our resolve,” he said.Other countries aren’t far behind: Regulators in the United States and the European Union also are vetting the Pfizer shot along with a similar&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/moderna-asks-regulators-ok-virus-shots-a65a00cdf9725c9104886ded9052a85d">vaccine made by competitor Moderna Inc</a>. British regulators also are considering another&nbsp;<a href="https://apnews.com/article/astrazeneca-vaccine-third-cheaper-oxford-c99d26eb2946f6fde45a1edc002ff028">shot made by AstraZeneca and Oxford University</a>.Hancock said Britain expects to begin receiving the first shipment of 800,000 doses “within days,″ and people will begin receiving shots as soon as the National Health Service gets the vaccine.Doses everywhere are scarce, and initial supplies will be rationed until more is manufactured in the first several months of next year.A government committee will release details of vaccination priorities later Wednesday, but Hancock said nursing home residents, people over 80, and healthcare workers and other care workers will be the first to receive the shot.Pfizer said it would immediately begin shipping limited supplies to the U.K. — and has been gearing up for even wider distribution if given a similar nod by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, a decision expected as early as next week.Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla called the U.K. decision “a historic moment.”“We are focusing on moving with the same level of urgency to safely supply a high-quality vaccine around the world,” Bourla said in a statement.While the U.K. has ordered 40 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, enough for 20 million people, it’s not clear how many will arrive by year’s end. Hancock said the U.K. expects to receive “millions of doses” by the end of this year, adding that the actual number will depend on how fast Pfizer can produce the vaccine.One concern about the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is that it must be stored and shipped at ultra-cold temperatures of around minus 70 degrees Celsius (minus 94 degrees Fahrenheit), adding to the challenge of distributing the vaccine around the world.Pfizer says it has developed shipping containers that use dry ice to keep the vaccine cool. GPS-enabled sensors will allow the company to track each shipment and ensure they stay cold, the company says.“Pfizer has vast experience and expertise in cold-chain shipping and has an established infrastructure to supply the vaccine worldwide, including distribution hubs that can store vaccine doses for up to six months,” the company said in a statement.The company also says it has agreed to work with other vaccine makers to ensure there is sufficient supply and a range of vaccines, “including those suitable for global access.”Every country has different rules for determining when an experimental vaccine is safe and effective enough to use. Intense political pressure to be the first to roll out a rigorously scientifically tested shot colored the race in the U.S. and Britain, even as researchers pledged to cut no corners. In contrast, China and Russia have offered different vaccinations to their citizens ahead of late-stage testing.The shots made by U.S.-based Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech were tested in tens of thousands of people. And while that study isn’t complete, early results suggest the vaccine is 95% effective at preventing mild to severe COVID-19 disease. The companies told regulators that of the first 170 infections detected in study volunteers, only eight were among people who’d received the actual vaccine and the rest had gotten a dummy shot.ADVERTISEMENT“This is an extraordinarily strong protection,” Dr. Ugur Sahin, BioNTech’s CEO, recently told The Associated Press.The companies also reported no serious side effects, although vaccine recipients may experience temporary pain and flu-like reactions immediately after injections.Final testing must still be completed. Still to be determined is whether the Pfizer-BioNTech shots protect against people spreading the coronavirus without showing symptoms. Another question is how long protection lasts.The vaccine also has been tested in only a small number of children, none younger than 12, and there’s no information on its effects in pregnant women.___

Coronavirus Update