A person in California who had been vaccinated against COVID-19 became the first in the U.S. to have an identified case of the omicron variant, the White House announced Wednesday as scientists continue to study the risks posed by the new virus strain.
The U.S. gave full approval to Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine Monday, a milestone that could lift public confidence in the shots and spur more companies, universities and local governments to make vaccinations mandatory.
St. Thomas will once again require face coverings indoors in public spaces on campus beginning Monday, regardless of vaccination status, a University Action and Response Team email said Thursday.
The University of St. Thomas is requiring all students and employees to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 before returning for the fall semester, a Monday email from the University Action and Response Team said, with some exemptions.
Public colleges and universities in Minnesota will be requiring masks to be worn on campuses to help stop the spread of COVID-19 as the delta variant of the virus is surging.
The University of St. Thomas will require those participating in university-sponsored travel to be vaccinated against COVID-19 beginning Monday, Aug. 2, a University Action and Response Team email said Tuesday.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reversed course Tuesday on some masking guidelines, recommending that even vaccinated people return to wearing masks indoors in parts of the U.S. where the coronavirus is surging.
Canada announced Monday it will begin letting fully vaccinated U.S. citizens into Canada on Aug. 9, and those from the rest of the world on Sept. 7.
Pfizer is about to seek U.S. authorization for a third dose of its COVID-19 vaccine, saying Thursday that another shot within 12 months could dramatically boost immunity and maybe help ward off the latest worrisome coronavirus mutant.
St. Thomas’ University Action and Response Team followed up to its June 16 announcement Wednesday with details on the university’s COVID-19 vaccine incentive program.
St. Thomas will not require community members working or learning on campus to get the COVID-19 vaccine “at this time,” a Wednesday email from the University Action and Response Team to St. Thomas community members said. However, all students and employees will be required to report their vaccination status to St. Thomas before the fall semester.
St. Thomas will continue to require face coverings and social distancing protocols despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s updated guidance and Gov. Tim Walz lifting Minnesota’s statewide mask mandate, according to an email from the University Action and Response Team Friday morning.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said Thursday that state will allow people to ditch their masks meant to slow the spread of the coronavirus, an announcement that followed new federal recommendations on face coverings.
In a move to send the country back toward pre-pandemic life, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday eased indoor mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people, allowing them to safely stop wearing masks inside in most places.
Senior Austin Murr created COVIDvaccinate.me, an online website that allows St. Thomas community members and others to locate pharmacies with available COVID-19 vaccines. Natalie Hoepner and Lauren Dettmer have the story.
