Poland reintroduced coronavirus lockdown measures starting Saturday to combat the latest surge of cases across the country, closing most of its public venues and non-essential businesses and canceling all in-person classes for three weeks.
Why it matters: Poland's Health Minister Adam Niedzielski attributed the case spike to the coronavirus variant first discovered in the United Kingdom that may spread more easily than the original strain of the virus, according to Politico.
A research-stage company is developing a wearable dosing and delivery device for medication, including for the painkiller drug ketamine.
Why it matters: Wearable drug delivery systems allow doctors to precisely control doses delivered to someone at home, which could help reduce the risk of drug abuse while ensuring patients receive their medication seamlessly.
By the numbers: The U.S. has administered a total of 121 million doses and vaccinated 42.9 million people 18 years and older, representing 16.7% of the adult population. Roughly 40.8% of people 65 years and older have been fully vaccinated.
Why it matters: The country administered a record 711,1oo doses on Friday and is fourth in the world for total population vaccinated, coming just behind Israel, United Arab Emirates and Chile, according to Reuters.
The coronavirus variant first discovered in the United Kingdom may account for up to 30% of new COVID infections across the U.S., NIAID Director Anthony Fauci said during a White House briefing on the virus Friday.
Why it matters: The variant, called B.1.1.7, has been detected throughout the U.S., and studies have suggested it appears to spread more easily than the original strain of the virus.
Three cruise liners announced plans to launch Bahamas-only trips as soon as June.
Why it matters: It's the most significant move for the struggling industry since cruise lines halted in March 2020 after becoming the source of some of the most extensive coronavirus outbreaks early in the pandemic.
The state of play: The White House Historical Association announced the event will instead take place virtually. The holiday celebration is organized by the first lady and typically draws crowds of 30,000 people.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan has tested positive for the coronavirus and is self-isolating with a mild cough and fever, Health Minister Faisal Sultan said in a tweet on Saturday.
The big picture: The news comes two days after Khan received his first dose of the vaccine, likely China's Sinopharm which is the only shot available in Pakistan and takes a few weeks to build immunity, per Reuters.
Why it matters: The decision highlights "the realities of COVID-19 even as [the organizers] forged ahead with plans to hold the world’s largest sporting event," the New York Times writes.
Veterans, their spouses and caregivers will be able to receive the COVID-19 vaccine through the Department of Veterans Affairs as soon as doses are available, according to newly finalized legislation.
Why it matters: The VA has counted more than 11,000 deaths and recorded more than 223,500 coronavirus cases since the start of the pandemic, according to data from the medical system.
COVID-19 cases are spiking at an "exponential rate" in Germany and there may not be enough vaccine doses to avoid a third wave, German Health Minister Jens Spahn warned at a press conference on Friday, according to Deutsche Welle.
Why it matters: The deteriorating health situation means that Germany may need to consider more restrictive measures, halting reopening plans, Spahn noted.
U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday received his first dose of the Oxford-AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine and said he "did not feel a thing."
Why it matters: Public leaders around the world have gone live on air to receive their coronavirus jabs to boost confidence in the vaccines' efficacy. In the U.S., both President Biden and Vice President Harris received their vaccines on TV.
The U.S. distributed the 100 millionth dose of the coronavirus vaccine on Friday, the White House COVID-19 response team confirmed.
Why it matters: The achievement puts the Biden administration well ahead of schedule for its goal of distributing 100 million doses in the first 100 days in office, and emphasizes the extent to which the administration has aggressively ramped up vaccination efforts.
K-12 schools may reduce classroom desk distances from 6 feet down to 3 feet if community transmission is low-to-moderate, new guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said on Friday.
Why it matters: This could be another incentive for closed schools to feel logistically ready to reopen, especially those with limited space or large class sizes.
Washington Post journalists Yasmeen Abutaleb and Damian Paletta will be out June 29 with "Nightmare Scenario," a scoopy narrative of President Trump's chaotic response to the pandemic.
Javelin'sKeith Urbahn and Matt Latimer are the agents. Harper V.P./Executive Editor Jonathan Jao is editor.
Why it matters: Harper, the publisher, says the authors "reveal the numerous times officials tried to dissuade Trump from following his worst impulses ... And they show how the petty backstabbing and rivalries amongst cabinet members, staff, and aides, created a toxic cycle of blame, sycophancy, and political pressure."
The Biden administration on Thursday took a modest first step toward sharing coronavirus vaccines with the world, announcing that it intends to send 1.5 million AstraZeneca doses to Canada and 2.5 million to Mexico.
Why it matters: The vaccine developed by AstraZeneca and Oxford University hasn't been approved in the U.S., and the White House has faced growing criticism for sitting on doses that could be used elsewhere
With Xavier Becerra's confirmation on Thursday as Health and Human Services secretary, the Biden administration's health care team is clicking into place — not that it's been sitting around waiting.
The big picture: Many of the most important health care jobs in the executive branch right now aren't the Senate-confirmed leadership roles, but the management advisers and rank-and-file civil servants in charge of the vaccination effort.
There have been reports of 126 House and Senate members infected with or exposed to the coronavirus since last March — 70 Republicans and 56 Democrats, according to data collected by GovTrack.
Why it matters: The data illustrates the infectiousness of the virus and its impact on some of the most powerful and connected people in the country. It does not include Republican Luke Letlow of Louisiana, who died of COVID-19 complications five days before he was to be sworn into Congress in January.
