Page 9 - Stephen Thacker News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

UK variant now the most common in United States UK variant now the most common strain of the virus in United States By Blair Caldwell | April 7, 2021 at 6:33 PM EDT - Updated April 7 at 6:59 PM SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The CDC says the UK variant of COVID-19 is now the most common strain of the virus in the United States. This has several asking questions about its rate of infection and severity along with how effective our vaccines are. Memorial Health Associate Chief Medical Officer Dr. Stephen Thacker says locally we do not have the ability to pick up on specific sequencing of the virus...

Pfizer’s vaccine has been administered to more than two million Georgians as of Thursday, April 1.

COVID safety encouraged while enjoying St. Patrick’s Day festivities By Blair Caldwell | March 16, 2021 at 1:30 PM EDT - Updated March 16 at 6:59 PM SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - The biggest holiday in the Hostess City is on Wednesday. Thousands have come and will continue to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in the city, but doctors encourage you to do it safely as we still face an infectious disease pandemic. Memorial Health’s Dr. Stephen Thacker says while people are enjoying the holiday, there was sound science to cancel the festivities. He says it’s still not a good idea to g...

Anyone 55 and older, plus those 16 years and older with high risk medical conditions, can get their COVID-19 vaccine in Georgia starting Monday.

“The Georgia Department of Public Health expects that approximately 83,000 doses will be made available in the first week, and our goal is to get those vaccines administered as quickly as possible," Gov. Brian Kemp said in a prepared statement. The Johnson & Johnson vaccine, produced by its vaccine division, Janssen Pharmaceuticals, is one dose and requires only normal refrigeration. Those are big advantages for getting lots of people vaccinated quickly.  But the Johnson & Johnson vaccine's overall efficacy in preventing symptomatic coronavirus infections is pegged at 66% compared to 94%...