Health and Medicine

More than a year into the pandemic, the health care and science communities have identified a number of risk factors that increase the likelihood of complications from COVID-19. A recent report from the World Obesity Federation (WOF) unveiled new links between obesity and COVID-19 outcomes.

The United States now has three COVID-19 vaccines authorized for emergency use.

The single-shot vaccine is highly effective at preventing severe disease, according to data from a global trial involving around 44,000 people.

The company estimates that it will have 100 million doses ready by June. Pfizer and Moderna have promised 600 million by July.

"With this executive order, we are ensuring that all businesses and families in Texas have the freedom to determine their own destiny," said Governor Greg Abbott.

The vaccine could soon become the third COVID-19 shot to be approved for emergency use in the United States.

"The hearts of all Oregonians are with you today," Governor Kate Brown said in a statement addressing the family of the deceased infant.

"We were really worried—like scared to death—because we didn't know what it was," the teen's mother said.

"It's a huge concern to see the resurgence of Ebola in Guinea, a country which has already suffered so much from the disease," said WHO Regional Director for Africa, Dr Matshidiso Moeti.

Health officials first detected the variant, which seems to spread more rapidly, in the U.S. toward the end of January.

More than 46 million vaccine doses have been administered across the country, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The chain will be offering coronavirus vaccines in Florida as part of the federal retail pharmacy program.

More than 4.7 million COVID vaccine doses have been shipped to the state so far.

Scientists are investigating how emerging COVID variants may affect the protection provided by vaccines.

The U.K. COVID variant is "almost certainly destined to become the dominant SARS-CoV-2 lineage by March, 2021 across many U.S. states," researchers have found.

"This is not the time to be letting our guards down," the adviser said.

Let 2021 be the year when we agree, once and for all, that we will hold fast to our mutual bedrock belief in human rights, equality and justice.

Fauci had previously called preliminary results from Johnson & Johnson's Phase III trial "really encouraging."

The United States has authorized two COVID-19 vaccines, Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, for emergency use to date.

Johnson & Johnson say their vaccine is 66 percent effective overall in preventing moderate to severe COVID-19.

The agency said data collected from the vaccination rollout in Europe is consistent with the known safety profile of the vaccine and no new side effects have been identified.

The U.S. company's vaccine, which may require only one injection, is being assessed in a Phase III clinical trial involving about 45,000 people.

The B.1.1.7 variant has now been found in more than 20 U.S. states.

The South African variant—known as 501Y.V2—has now spread to at least 20 nations around the world.

Almost 200 cases of the more infectious variant have been detected across the United States.

To date, the Food and Drug Administration has authorized two monoclonal antibody therapies for emergency use in the treatment of COVID-19.

"I think the vaccine is imperative," the woman, whose name is Raana Bell, said, while calling for there to be more transparency regarding the shots.

"I didn't think he was going to make it," his mother said after learning her son had caught coronavirus.

The study took place in Israel, which is currently leading the world in terms of vaccinating its population.

The man spent 22 days in hospital following the incident.