Mass. Reports 5,632 New COVID-19 Cases, Bringing Total Above 300K
A medical worker conducts a rapid diagnostic test (RPT) for coronavirus.
Massachusetts reported 5,632 new confirmed coronavirus cases and an additional 53 deaths on Friday.
There have now been 11,358 confirmed deaths and 302,933 cases, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health. Another 252 deaths are considered probably linked to COVID-19.
The percentage of coronavirus tests coming back positive, on average, ticked up to 6.13%, according to the report.
The number of patients hospitalized for COVID-19 has increased to 1,874. Of that number, 370 were listed as being in intensive care units and 204 are intubated, according to DPH.
UpdatedSat, Dec 19, 2020 at 3:56 pm ET
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After front line medical workers across New England began receiving the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine this week, the FDA s emergency approval of Cambridge-based Moderna s vaccine could soon expand the scope of who can get the shots. (Shutterstock)
CAMBRIDGE, MA Another 6 million doses of coronavirus vaccine is expected to be shipped across the country within the next few days after the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued an emergency-use approval for Cambridge-based Moderna s vaccine for those 18 years old or older.
The second vaccine approval coming on the heels of the Pfizer vaccine s emergency approval last week and distribution to front-line health care workers this week will allow Massachusetts to expand vaccinations into venues outside of hospitals because the Moderna vaccine does not have to be shipped and stored at the extremely low temperatures of the Pfizer vaccine.
FDA grants emergency use authorization to Moderna s COVID-19 vaccine
WCVB
CAMBRIDGE A second COVID-19 vaccine is authorized for use in the United States.
The Food and Drug Administration granted emergency use authorization to the COVID-19 vaccine candidate from Cambridge-based Moderna late Friday, one week after the agency authorized a similar vaccine from Pfizer and BioNTech.
“With the availability of two vaccines now for the prevention of COVID-19, the FDA has taken another crucial step in the fight against this global pandemic that is causing vast numbers of hospitalizations and deaths in the United States each day, said FDA commissioner Steve Hahn.
Notable difference with Moderna s COVID-19 vaccine: temperature Share Updated: 1:08 PM EST Dec 19, 2020
Notable difference with Moderna s COVID-19 vaccine: temperature Share Updated: 1:08 PM EST Dec 19, 2020
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Show Transcript the US now has a second vaccine. The FDA Friday evening, authorizing emergency use for Moderna Peter Jackson of Marble, had already got the vaccine taking part in the Moderna trials. Covic severely affected the Latinos and African American community, and I knew from my work that when we were developing a vaccine, it would be very important to have representation from that community, Jackson says. The first shot was uneventful. The second dose, a follow up shot, did produce some symptoms the next day. Every muscle hurt my body. It was just like, not feeling great. I had a headache. I had chills. Jackson says. He took to over the counter painkillers the next morning. He felt fine after being up about five minutes