Giving plasma, chicken robbery, bar-free Mardi Gras: News from around our 50 states From USA TODAY Network and wire reports, USA TODAY
Alabama
Auburn: Auburn University is fully resuming on-campus operations that were disrupted by the coronavirus last year. All optional remote instruction ended Sunday, and most employees who have been working on a virtual basis will return to campus Monday, the Opelika-Auburn News reports. The decision to reopen was based on multiple factors, said Dr. Fred Kam, director of the university medical clinic. “You’re looking at all the data, all of the information and … you’re forecasting on where you think things will be,” Kam said. The university has seen a downward trend in COVID-19 since 113 cases were reported during the week ending Jan. 17. The university said 75 new virus cases were self-reported during the week ending Jan. 31, three fewer than the previous week. The school also reported a 0.9% positivity rate among tho
From USA TODAY Network and wire reports
Alabama
Auburn: Auburn University is fully resuming on-campus operations that were disrupted by the coronavirus last year. All optional remote instruction ended Sunday, and most employees who have been working on a virtual basis will return to campus Monday, the Opelika-Auburn News reports. The decision to reopen was based on multiple factors, said Dr. Fred Kam, director of the university medical clinic. “You’re looking at all the data, all of the information and … you’re forecasting on where you think things will be,” Kam said. The university has seen a downward trend in COVID-19 since 113 cases were reported during the week ending Jan. 17. The university said 75 new virus cases were self-reported during the week ending Jan. 31, three fewer than the previous week. The school also reported a 0.9% positivity rate among those tested through its voluntary sentinel testing, according to data released Tuesday. Multiple safeguards are in
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on Friday signed into law a bill aimed at extending a permit deadline letting bars and restaurants serve alcohol outdoors as part of the state's response to COVID-19.
Under an order from the division, the expansion was supposed to last through November 2020, but the law expands it to Nov. 30, 2022, or when indoor dining returns to full capacity whichever is later.
The new law comes the same day that Murphy expanded indoor dining capacity. It rose to 35% for restaurants and bars, up from 25%. The governor said declining hospital admission rates from the coronavirus led to his decision to increase capacity.
But he has also been under pressure from political rivals calling for the reopening of businesses, which have been hurt under the governor s executive orders limiting capacity.
As of Friday, More than 745,000 people in New Jersey had gotten a first dose of the coronavirus vaccine. Nearly 180,000 have gotten the second dose.