California coronavirus updates: Flushed with cash from COVID-19 treatments, Pfizer buys another drug maker

12:14 p.m.: Flushed with cash from COVID-19 treatments, Pfizer buys another drug maker

Pfizer is shopping for sickle cell drug maker Global Blood Therapeutics in an roughly $5.4 billion deal because it appears to be like to speed up progress after its income soared throughout the pandemic, in line with the Associated Press.

Pfizer mentioned that its newest acquisition will increase its work in uncommon hematology.

Global Therapeutics produces Oxybryta tablets for treating sickle cell illness. The pharma big Pfizer has been flush with cash since its COVID-19 vaccine, Comirnaty, and remedy, Paxlovid, have hit the market.

It has now introduced offers valued at a complete of almost $19 billion, counting debt, since late final 12 months.

12:07 p.m.: Texas man sentenced to 25 years in prison for attacking an Asian family over COVID-19

Federal prosecutors say a Texas man has been sentenced to 25 years in jail for attacking an Asian household as a result of he thought they had been Chinese and due to this fact accountable for the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Associated Press experiences that court docket data present 21-year-old Jose Gomez III of Midland, Texas was sentenced Thursday after pleading responsible to 3 counts of committing a hate crime.

Gomez admitted that he used a knife to slash the person and his 6-and 2-year-old sons inside a Sam’s Club in Midland as a result of he believed they had been Chinese and spreading the coronavirus.

The man Gomez attacked is from Myanmar.

The March 2020 assault occurred as Asians confronted verbal harassment and bodily assaults throughout the U.S. after the virus started to unfold nationwide.

11:28 a.m.: Spain struggles to limit monkeypox infections

Spain is struggling to curtail Europe’s main monkeypox outbreak because the illness unfold past the continent of Africa.

According to the Associated Press, the southern European nation counts 4,942 instances and two males have died from the illness.

Authorities and teams within the LGBTQ neighborhood are honing their campaigns to get vaccines to the neediest members of the demographic to this point.

In the U.S. and Europe, the overwhelming majority of monkeypox infections have occurred in males who’ve intercourse with males.

However, well being specialists warn that if instances proceed to rise, they’ll inevitably unfold to different teams, just like HIV/AIDS.

Given the dearth of vaccines, the main focus is now on getting out the message that decreasing sexual companions is vital.

12:03 p.m.: Polio samples found in New York state wastewater

New York state well being officers have issued a extra pressing name for unvaccinated kids and adults to get inoculated towards polio, citing new proof of doable “community spread” of the virus.

According to the Associated Press, well being officers mentioned that the polio virus has now been present in seven completely different wastewater samples in two adjoining counties north of New York City.

So far, just one particular person has examined constructive for polio — an unvaccinated grownup in Rockland County who suffered paralysis.

But based mostly on earlier polio outbreaks, Health Commissioner Mary Bassett mentioned there could also be lots of of different individuals who have been contaminated however haven’t any signs but.

11:32 a.m.: Las Vegas-based rental property management company faces probe over pandemic evictions

A Las Vegas-based company proprietor of 1000’s of residential rental properties in a number of U.S. states is investigating whether or not it improperly evicted tenants throughout the coronavirus pandemic whereas receiving tens of millions of federal {dollars} to maintain individuals of their properties.

The Associated Press experiences probes of the Siegel Group introduced by Nevada state Attorney General Aaron Ford and Clark County officers adopted findings final week by a congressional oversight panel that firm executives used deception, harassment and “potentially unlawful” ways final 12 months to power tenants out.

Siegel Group says it wasn’t known as or interviewed by the U.S. House committee that produced the report. The firm says it operates lawfully.

11:44 a.m.: Federal coronavirus relief funding local tourism projects

Hundreds of tourism initiatives nationwide are collectively getting about $2.4 billion in federal coronavirus aid funding, as reported by the Associated Press.

The cash has aided all the things from a fuel station enlargement in California to new sports activities services in Georgia and culturally numerous music in Nashville, Tennessee. Portland, Oregon, has categorized the acquisition of 200 graffiti-resistant trash cans as a tourism undertaking.

All the cash comes from the American Rescue Plan, signed by President Joe Biden final 12 months.

The versatile help program for governments lists tourism as one in all its eligible functions, alongside things like well being care and housing.

11:03 a.m.: Germany announces COVID-19 measures will remain for fall and winter

The German authorities says fundamental coronavirus necessities will stay in place throughout the coming fall and winter when specialists anticipate COVID-19 instances to rise once more as individuals spend extra time indoors.

According to the Associated Press, beneath guidelines just lately introduced, face masks and presenting proof of a damaging coronavirus take a look at will likely be necessary from October till early April at hospitals, nursing properties and different places with weak individuals.

Passengers on airplanes and making long-distance journeys by prepare and bus additionally must put on masks throughout that interval, as they do now.

However, Germany’s 16 states have the authority to undertake their very own guidelines. State governments might resolve to require masks and undertake common testing at faculties.

2:46 p.m.: Newsom declares California in state of emergency over monkeypox

Gov. Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency to hurry efforts to fight the monkeypox outbreak.

It makes California the second state in three days to take the step — almost 800 instances have been reported within the state, in line with the Associated Press.

Gov. Newsom mentioned his Monday declaration will assist California coordinate a government-wide response. He says the state will proceed to work with the federal authorities to safe extra vaccines, elevate consciousness about decreasing danger and stand with the LGBTQ neighborhood in combating stigmatization.

The transfer got here after the same declaration in New York state on Saturday and in San Francisco on Thursday.

2:37 p.m.: President Biden tests positive for COVID-19 for the second day

President Joe Biden’s “loose cough” has returned as he faces a rebound case of COVID-19, his physician mentioned, although he “continues to feel well.”

According to the Associated Press, White House doctor Kevin O’Connor supplied an replace on the president’s situation as he continues to check constructive for the virus.

He mentioned Biden “remains fever-free” and that his temperature, pulse, blood strain, respiratory charge, and oxygen saturation “remain entirely normal.”

Still, Biden is required to stay in isolation by way of at the least Thursday beneath Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tips — and maybe longer beneath harder White House protocols if he continues to check constructive.

11:41 a.m.: In the race to acquire monkeypox vaccines, lower-income countries lose

Public well being officers warn that strikes by wealthy international locations to purchase giant portions of monkeypox vaccine might go away tens of millions of individuals in African nations unprotected towards a extra harmful model of the illness.

As reported by the Associated Press, scientists say that, in contrast to campaigns to cease COVID-19, mass vaccinations will not be essential to curb monkeypox outbreaks. Targeted vaccinations and different measures could possibly be sufficient to close down the a number of outbreaks.

Monkeypox is way more durable to unfold than coronavirus, however specialists warn that the necessity for vaccines might intensify if the illness spills over into the overall inhabitants.

Brazil and Spain have simply reported monkeypox deaths, the primary of their nations.

11:38 a.m.: President Biden tests positive again in COVID-19 rebound case

President Joe Biden has examined constructive for COVID-19 for the second straight day, in what seems to be a uncommon case of “rebound” following remedy with an anti-viral drug.

According to the Associated Press, White House Physician Dr. Kevin O’Connor mentioned in a letter that the president “continues to feel well” and can carry on working from the manager residence.

After Biden examined constructive on Sunday, he canceled upcoming plans to journey and maintain in-person occasions. He’s isolating for at the least 5 days per the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention tips.

The 79-year-old Biden first examined constructive on July 21. He was handled with the anti-viral drug Paxlovid, and he had ended his isolation on Wednesday.

11:27 a.m.: Florida man accused of selling bleach as COVID-19 cure, is arrested abroad

A person accused of promoting a poisonous industrial bleach as a coronavirus treatment by way of his Florida-based church has been returned to the United States after being arrested in Colombia.

According to the Associated Press, data present 64-year-old Mark Grenon made his preliminary court docket look Thursday in Miami federal court docket.

Grenon and his three grownup sons had been indicted final 12 months on one depend every of conspiracy to commit fraud and two counts every of prison contempt. He is the archbishop of the Genesis II Church of Health and Healing in Bradenton, Florida.

Officials say the church offered chlorine dioxide and claimed the poisonous resolution can treatment an enormous number of diseases.