‘Diddy’ delivers, chicken coops, New Year’s Eve restrictions: News from around our 50 states

Alabama

Gadsden:The number of people hospitalized with COVID-19 in Alabama topped 2,800 this week, as recent days have shown a steady climb and new record high inpatient counts – 2,804 on Tuesday – as the surge in cases continues. Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo, the University of Alabama’s Division of Infectious Diseases director, said Alabama now is third in the nation in COVID-19 hospitalizations per capita, behind Nevada and Arizona. She said Alabama is sixth in the nation in the number of COVID-19 cases per capita, after falling out of the top 10. On Christmas Eve, the number hospitalized was 2,458 across the state; on Christmas Day and on Saturday, it was 2,516, according to statistics published by BamaTracker. On Sunday, the number rose to 2,631; and it jumped significantly by Monday, to 2,802 people hospitalized. UAB Hospital and East Alabama Medical Center both reported record numbers of COVID-19 patients on Monday. EAMC spokesman John Atkinson said the facility had a high of 66 patients Monday, passing the record of 64 set just eight days earlier. In between, on Christmas Day, the hospital’s number of COVID-19 patients dropped to 47. “We believe that the total decreased at the time it did because people were doing all they could to avoid being hospitalized on Christmas Day,” Atkinson said. “It immediately began increasing the day after Christmas and will likely surpass 66 within the next two to three weeks as additional cases arise because of Christmas gatherings.”

Alaska

Anchorage: Health officials are still determining who will receive the COVID-19 vaccine and when because the number of available doses remains limited. The Alaska Division of Public Health has administered about 11,800 doses as of Friday in the first phase of vaccination that began this month, the Anchorage Daily News reported Monday. The state had about 60,000 doses of the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines available for this month, but it’s unknown how many vaccines are allotted for January, health officials said. The initial stage of vaccination included residents and staff at long-term care facilities, hospital-based health care workers, emergency personnel, community health aides and people who are performing vaccinations. The next tier of people in the first phase are expected to receive vaccines next month and include those who work in health care settings who are at the highest risk of exposure and also considered essential, officials said. They must have direct patient contact and provide essential services or work that cannot be postponed without negatively affecting patients. Tari O’Connor of the state health department said people in that category can start signing up for the vaccine Wednesday. The shots will be by appointment and be first come, first served. The state will then continue on to the next phase of vaccinations, but it has not yet decided who will fall into that category, officials said.

Arizona

Phoenix: Some Arizona hospitals have stopped accepting patients brought to them by ambulance runs and transfers as they scramble to address a backlog of sick people amid a COVID-19 surge, the state’s largest hospital chain said Tuesday. Banner Health said 10 hospitals were diverting ambulances and transfers to other medical facilities late Monday and six were still doing so early Tuesday. All hospitals continued to accept walk-in patients needing emergency care. Arizona is grappling with the second-highest coronavirus infection rate in the nation. California has the highest. Moving to keep hospitals from getting further overwhelmed, state officials announced Tuesday that Arizona will include people aged 75 and older – more than 534,000 residents – in the second phase of COVID-19 vaccinations. Older adults are more likely to be hospitalized with severe complications from the disease and fill ICU beds.Prioritizing people 75 and older “will keep a lot of vulnerable people from getting sick,” said Will Humble, the Arizona Public Health Association director and a former state health services director. Humble said diverting ambulances and patient transfers is not unusual during Arizona’s winter months when they are more full because of the flu, but he had never seen more than a couple hospitals undertake the measure at the same time.

Arkansas

Little Rock: Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Tuesday extended his coronavirus emergency declaration by another two months as the state reported a record one-day spike in deaths and a new high in hospitalizations. Hutchinson has used his emergency powers to impose restrictions, including a statewide mask mandate, to fight the pandemic. The emergency declaration was first issued in March and was set to expire at the end of the month. The state reported Tuesday that 66 more people died from COVID-19, bringing Arkansas’ total fatalities since the pandemic began to 3,603. Tuesday’s death toll was the state’s highest since it reported 58 new deaths Dec. 21. “I am very concerned about where we could be going, “ Dr. Jose Romero, the state’s health secretary, said at a news conference. Romero urged Arkansans to avoid large crowds or gatherings to celebrate New Year’s Eve this week. Five percent of the state’s 1,155 intensive care unit beds and 21% of the state’s 8,940 hospital beds are available. There are 385 COVID-19 patients in ICUs across the state, according to the Department of Health. On Tuesday, a House spokeswoman said Republican state Rep. Harlan Breaux tested positive for the virus. Breaux is the 17th state legislator to contract the virus since October. Breaux has mild symptoms and is recovering at home, House spokeswoman Cecillea Pond-Mayo said.

California

Ross: The coronavirus pandemic is coming home to roost in America’s backyards. Forced to hunker down at home, more people are setting up coops and raising their own chickens, which provide an earthy hobby, animal companionship and a steady supply of fresh eggs. Amateur chicken-keeping has been growing in popularity in recent years as people seek environmental sustainability in the food they eat. The pandemic is accelerating those trends, some breeders and poultry groups said, prompting more people to make the leap into poultry parenthood. Businesses that sell chicks, coops and other supplies said they have seen a surge in demand since the pandemic took hold in March and health officials ordered residents to stay home. Allison and Ron Abta of Northern California’s Marin County had for years talked about setting up a backyard coop. They took the plunge in August. The couple’s three children were thrilled when their parents finally agreed to buy chicks. “These chickens are like my favorite thing, honestly,” said 12-year-old Violet, holding a dark feathered hen in her woodsy backyard. “They actually have personalities once you get to know them.” The baby birds lived inside the family’s home for six weeks before moving into the chicken run in the yard. A wire-mesh enclosure now houses the five heritage hens – each a different breed – and protects them from bobcats, foxes and other predators.

Colorado

Fort Collins:Four Colorado prison inmates have died since Dec. 22 after apparently contracting COVID-19, bringing the total number of prisoners in the state whose deaths have been linked to the disease to 24. The new fatalities come even as active coronavirus cases in Colorado Department of Corrections facilities are decreasing after a spike that matched the worst period of COVID-19 in the state. The new deaths linked to the disease include: a 62-year-old inmate who was being housed at the Bent County Correctional Facility who died Dec. 22 at UCHealth Memorial Hospital Central in Colorado Springs, where they were taken on Dec. 6 with COVID-19 symptoms; a 57-year-old inmate who was being housed at the Four Mile Correctional Facility, who died Dec. 24 at the Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility infirmary after being treated for COVID-19 symptoms at two hospitals starting on Dec. 7; a 62-year-old inmate who was being housed at the Arkansas Valley Correctional Facility who died Dec. 24 at Kindred Hospital Aurora after being treated at Parkview Medical Center in Pueblo; and a 57-year-old inmate who was being housed at the Arrowhead Correctional Center. The prisoner died on Saturday at Penrose Hospital in Colorado Springs where they were taken on Dec. 12 with COVID-19 symptoms.

Connecticut

Hartford: State officials estimated tens of thousands of residents will benefit financially from the latest federal pandemic relief legislation, including more than 30,000 who were at risk of losing pandemic assistance for the unemployed if the bill wasn’t signed into law. The state Department of Labor announced Tuesday that approximately 35,000 residents participating in the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, which helps those who do not receive traditional unemployment benefits, will get 11 more weeks of benefits. Another 29,000 people participating in the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation – typically workers who have used up their regular state unemployment insurance benefits – will also get an 11-week extension of benefits. Meanwhile, all claimants are expected to receive an extra $300 a week for up to 11 weeks, beginning by mid-January, under the new Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program. State labor agencies like Connecticut’s are now waiting for guidance from the U.S. Department of Labor before they can implement many of the new unemployment-related provisions in the federal legislation. Because existing programs are being extended, the Connecticut Department of Labor doesn’t expect significant delays. However, the agency cannot begin implementing the changes without the federal guidance.

Delaware

Rehoboth Beach:City Hall will be closed through Sunday because two employees tested positive for the coronavirus. According to the city, the employees were last at work Tuesday. The building has since been closed so staff can quarantine. The building will also be deep cleaned. City Hall will reopen Monday by appointment only. In the meantime, employees who are working remotely can be accessed by phone, email and online.

District of Columbia

Washington:New Year’s Eve would usually be a lucrative time of the year for bars and restaurants, but COVID-19 restrictions are creating more of a strain than a celebration, WUSA-TV reported. Under Mayor Muriel Bowser’s latest executive order, indoor dining is banned in the District until Jan. 15 because of a “surge of COVID-19 cases that has worsened dramatically in the past month.” The recent changes are on top of another rule that prohibits alcohol sales after 10 p.m. The combined restrictions have dampened businesses like Shaw’s Tavern on Florida Avenue in Northwest, which would usually see packed crowds for their sold-out event on New Year’s Eve. Manager Jake Hoke said he fears the tavern might have to resort to a limited number of employees again, like when the pandemic first hit in March. Usually, New Year’s Eve festivities and the month of December would bring in big bucks because of private parties, but Hoke said they are now losing out on close to $1 million dollars. To help celebrate while staying open, Shaw’s Tavern is now offering take-home party boxes that include a pizza, a champagne bottle and noisemakers for $20.21. Most restaurants in D.C. are taking a similar approach to accommodate people planning to party at home.

Florida

Miami: Rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs provided some coronavirus relief in a Miami neighborhood on Tuesday, handing out $50 bills amid a crowd of hundreds. He was joined by his children at the event set up to help Overtown neighborhood residents facing economic hardship during the pandemic. In addition to the cash, $50 Publix supermarket gift cards and bags containing hygiene products also were handed out. Diddy’s charitable foundation is also working with music festival and nightlife organizer Michael Gardner and the local group Teens Exercising Extraordinary Success to provide rental assistance for 175 families. Diddy wore a clear face shield and black gloves as he worked his way through the crowd, greeting fans and families.

Georgia

Savannah:Savannah Kwanzaa Director Dorothy Cohen made a tough decision out of love for her community. Since 1984, Cohen has played host to a Kwanzaa celebration in Savannah, most recently at the Tompkins Center, but this year she decided it would be safer to cancel the event because of the pandemic. “Whatever we do, we do for the betterment of our people. Period. I’m not a doctor and I’m not a scientist, and I can’t tell you anything about COVID. All I can do is tell you what they tell me,” Cohen said. “And if they say don’t do it, stay home or don’t be around people, I’m gonna do that. And I would not put anybody I love in danger of catching that disease.” Cohen said her decision stemmed from her obligation to the Savannah community – a responsibility to keep her loved ones out of harm’s way. “It would be very wrong of me,” Cohen said. “I wouldn’t have a sense of responsibility to do something like that. Then, if people come, then you’re responsible for anybody getting sick.” Cohen, a retired teacher, said the event is usually a great learning opportunity for children and adults. It started when her students didn’t know what Kwanzaa was. Cohen played host to a similar event in New York before she moved to Savannah in 1984. When she got here, no one was doing it. She started playing host to the celebration, teaching people about the principles of the holiday, and the value of the African cultural aspects of the celebration. Before long, it became an annual Savannah tradition, marked by music, storytelling and community togetherness.

Hawaii

Honolulu: Some hotel executives don’t expect a quick recovery for Hawaii’s tourism industry from the pandemic. Visitor figures in November were about 77% lower than the same month in 2019, with just 183,779 total travelers, according to data released Monday by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. Jerry Gibson, vice president for BRE Hotels & Resorts, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser that from Dec. 24 to Jan. 3 – traditionally the state tourism industry’s peak – hotels that are open are reporting just 15% to 23% occupancy rates. Usually, Gibson said, occupancy rates would hover between 93% to 97% during the holiday season. Health officials across the country have urged people to avoid traveling and gathering with others, especially over the holiday season, to avoid spreading the coronavirus. Hawaii requires people to test negative for the coronavirus before arriving in the islands or quarantine for 10 days. Gibson and Keith Vieira, principal of KV & Associates, Hospitality Consulting, said strict and confusing travel rules and people not wanting to fly without being vaccinated have contributed to the decline in visitors. They said they were optimistic that as more people receive the COVID-19 vaccine, tourism will improve. But Vieira said it will take months for the industry to bounce back.

Idaho

Boise: Idaho officials have released a rough timeline for when residents can expect their turn to get the COVID-19 vaccination, though much of the planning remains a work in progress and is contingent on the state’s supply and demand. The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare on Monday released the timeline that anticipates it will take through the end of the summer to vaccinate all adults who want the shot. “The biggest thing we want people to realize is that the timeline is the best information we have at this time,” said department spokeswoman Niki Forbing-Orr. “We’ll get to everyone who wants a vaccine eventually, but we really hope everyone will be patient and continue to follow the recommended guidelines in the meantime.” Statewide guidelines limit group size and encourage social distancing and the wearing of masks when that’s not possible. Forbing-Orr said the state doesn’t have estimates from federal authorities for time frames greater than two weeks on how much of the vaccine the state will receive, though the picture could become clearer in January. She also said it’s not clear how many Idaho residents will decline to get the vaccine, which could also change the timeline. Idaho tends to have a high number of residents wary of vaccinations.

Illinois

Springfield:The Springfield Fire Department, nearly two months after a COVID-19 outbreak idled more than one-third of its force, will soon have access to once-a-week rapid virus testing through the University of Illinois. News of the testing regiment comes just two weeks ahead of when some city firefighters are expected to be administered the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Springfield aldermen discussed the testing proposal for a few minutes at their committee of the whole meeting Tuesday before advancing it to the consent agenda for next week’s council meeting. “This is going to be a good thing,” said Ward 9 Ald. Jim Donelan. “I’ve reached out to some other communities throughout the state and I’m glad to see this moving along.” Firefighters will be tested for the coronavirus every week until at least a couple weeks after they receive their second dose of the vaccine. Fire Chief Brandon Blough estimated that the tests, which cost $30 each, would initially run the city about $4,000 to $6,000 per week. But, he said it would likely decline as more firefighters get vaccinated. The city is authorized to spend up to $100,000 on the testing program, though most expect the actual number to be far below that. The program will likely be covered with either federal or state COVID-19 relief funds. It comes about two months after the department was hit with a COVID-19 outbreak that, at its height, quarantined 73 firefighters, including 19 who tested positive for the virus.

Indiana

Indianapolis: Indiana set a single-day record of newly reported COVID-19 deaths following the Christmas holiday and a backlog of weekend reporting, state health officials said Tuesday. The state on Monday reached its highest number of COVID-19 deaths in a day, the State Department of Health said Tuesday, eclipsing the previous record of 143 deaths officials reported Dec. 22. Most of the state’s newly recorded deaths occurred in the past week, with some dated to early December. Those deaths raised Indiana’s toll to 8,051, including victims with confirmed and presumed infections. The department’s daily update of its coronavirus dashboard also showed another 4,028 Hoosiers have been diagnosed with COVID-19. That brings the number of Indiana residents known to have had the coronavirus up to 500,282. The state agency additionally reported that more than 20% of the 2,951 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 on Monday were in intensive care.

Iowa

Davenport: The Rock Island County Health Department reported five more deaths related to COVID-19 on Tuesday as the total number of new cases in the Quad-Cities was 98. According to health officials in Rock Island, those reported dead Tuesday were: a man in his 80s who had been hospitalized and a woman in her 90s, a woman in her 80s and two men in their 80s, all of whom had been living in long-term-care facilities. The total number of deaths in Rock Island County is 248. The death toll in Scott County remained at 147. Although Rock Island County public health officials reported 65 new COVID-19 cases and Scott County officials reported 33, Tuesday’s snowstorm impacted testing efforts. According to the Iowa Department of Public Health, sample transport from testing locations to the State Hygienic Lab was canceled in some areas of Iowa where travel was not recommended – including samples from Test Iowa locations and other testing providers that process tests at the State Hygienic Lab. Because of the weather, there will be a delay in delivery to the lab, processing and ultimately reporting results to patients. Iowa health officials said results should still be delivered within 72 hours if no further delays occurred.

Kansas

Topeka:Two northeastern Kansas counties are backing off mask mandates they imposed last month as coronavirus cases surged, and officials set up a clinic in an arena in the state’s city to vaccinate thousands of health care workers. Commissioners in Brown and Jackson counties argued that they had weathered a wave of infections and dropped mandates requiring people to wear masks against the advice of public health officials, The Topeka Capital-Journal reported. But in south-central Kansas, Reno County commissioners kept a mask mandate in place. Sedgwick County, home to Wichita, the state’s largest city, launched an effort to vaccinate 10,000 health care workers, including dentists, chiropractors, optometrists, and home-health and hospice workers, The Wichita Eagle reported. The county’s clinic is in the north concourse of Intrust Bank Arena in downtown Wichita. The county’s vaccination effort started after four Black doctors told a virtual town hall meeting aimed at the Black community in Wichita that COVID-19 vaccines are safe and needed to save lives.

Kentucky

Frankfort: Gov. Andy Beshear implored Kentuckians to avoid large New Year’s Eve gatherings, calling it a small sacrifice to slow the spread of the coronavirus as he announced nearly 3,000 new cases and 31 more virus-related deaths on Tuesday. The governor also announced two new vaccine allocations that will deliver 53,700 more doses to Kentucky for the week starting Monday. Beshear also said he’s extending his statewide mask mandate, calling the use of facial coverings “one of the most powerful tools to fight this virus.” The mandate will be renewed again on Saturday for another 30 days, the Democratic governor said. Beshear reported 2,990 more virus cases statewide but insisted that Kentucky has stopped the “exponential growth” from the most recent virus surge. But he warned that the situation is “very fragile” and actions during the New Year’s holiday could “change success into failure.” Beshear urged people to keep their New Year’s celebrations small in response to the public health threat.

Louisiana

Moss Bluff: A former Louisiana state lawmaker and his wife died on the same day from complications of COVID-19. Victor “Vic” Stelly and Terry Bass Stelly died within hours of each other on Saturday from complications of the disease, according to the family’s obituary. “Married 60 years, it is no surprise – and brings us great comfort -– they met our Lord and Savior nearly hand-in-hand,” the obituary said. A memorial ceremony will be held Thursday at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Lake Charles. Vic Stelly, a Republican for most of his time in the Legislature who switched to no party affiliation near the end of his four House terms, later was a member of Louisiana’s higher education policy board. He was 79. Terry Bass Stelly was 80.

Maine

Portland: Maine dentists said the pandemic is taking a toll on oral health. Dentists are seeing more cracked teeth and jaw pain from patients who are clenching their jaws and grinding their teeth, the Portland Press Herald reported. Patients also are complaining of headaches and teeth that are sensitive to the cold. Dr. Todd Ray, a South Portland dentist who serves on the Maine Board of Dental Practice, said he believes the stress of the pandemic, along with political and social issues this year, have contributed to an increase in fractured and chipped teeth, crowns and bridges. “Everyone’s lives are affected and there’s a lot of unknowns,” he said. “People are reporting they are a lot more stressed out.”

Maryland

Snow Hill:Worcester County Schools are heading back to the classroom in the new year. “We feel confident that our schools are well-positioned to continue our transition to Stage 2 of our ‘Responsible Return’ on Jan. 4, 2021,” Superintendent Lou Taylor said in a video message to families Tuesday. Taylor said that confidence comes from much of December being dedicated to further “position-specific” training of all staff members, hoping to ensure COVID-19 safety across school populations. The system returned to virtual learning in November as COVID-19 cases spiked throughout the region, for two weeks. At that time, the county’s positivity rate was 6.6%, but it had climbed to 12.6% by early Tuesday morning, according to the Worcester County Health Department. Stage 2 means the schools will welcome small, targeted groups of students back to in-person learning. Many of these schools, Taylor said, have made contact with families and guardians whose students have been asked to return.

Massachusetts

Boston: The head of the statewide firefighters union said the state’s plan to get firefighters vaccinated against the coronavirus lacks “coordination and communication.” Richard MacKinnon Jr., president of the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts, said the state is leaving the vaccinations of first responders up to local boards of health, with varying results. “It just seems like there’s been a lack of plan,” MacKinnon told the Boston Herald on Tuesday. “It’s just an overall lack of coordination and communication.” The state should be setting up vaccination centers and training the firefighters themselves – many of whom already are EMTs or paramedics – to administer the vaccine to their colleagues. A spokeswoman for the state COVID-19 Response Command Center said in a statement that the state is working with local health departments, local hospitals and other medical providers to figure out the capacity to vaccinate people – and to identify sites where first responders can be vaccinated.

Michigan

Lansing: The state’s court administrator’s office told chief probate judges that they might see an increase in petitions seeking temporary guardians for some people in long-term care facilities as COVID-19 vaccinations pick up. A memo from Court Administrator Thomas Boyd and Court Administrator Emeritus Milton Mack dated Dec. 22 suggested that judges work with local health departments on plans to deal with the issue. The state announced Monday that residents and staff in skilled nursing homes would start receiving vaccines for the virus that has infected more than 483,000 in Michigan and led to the deaths of about 12,300. Oakland County’s Probate Court asked local nursing homes to inventory patient records to determine which patients require third-party consent and to make sure the information is up to date. More than 5,000 long-term care facilities, including more than 400 skilled nursing facilities, have enrolled in a program to receive the Moderna vaccine, according to Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive for Michigan’s Department of Health and Human Services. About 91,000 people, including residents and staff, are at nursing facilities in the state. It is expected to take three weeks to complete the vaccinations.

Minnesota

Minneapolis: The Department of Health on Tuesday reported 36 more deaths from COVID-19, and 988 new infections with lower-than-usual testing volume. The state’s totals are now 411,110 cases and 5,196 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic. It was the first time since October that daily new cases fell below 1,000, likely because testing sites closing during the Christmas holiday as well as possible delays in data. State health officials reported 7,742 samples processed –- the lowest test volume since early September. The health department sought Tuesday to encourage people to get tested, saying they are now accepting appointments for free testing in January at 21 community sites. Over the past two weeks, the seven-day rolling average of daily deaths in Minnesota declined further, going from more than 65 on Dec. 14 to just over 41 on Monday, according to The COVID Tracking Project.

Mississippi

Jackson: Mississippi bars and restaurants are limited in selling alcohol to customers ringing in the new year. An executive order by Gov. Tate Reeves bans the sale of alcohol between 11 p.m. and 7 a.m. It is one of several restrictions the governor set to try to limit the spread of the coronavirus. Reeves issued the order Dec. 9, and it took effect Dec. 11. The governor later amended the order to extend a mask mandate to 78 of the 82 counties, but the amendment did not change the limits on alcohol sales. The order remains in place until Jan. 15. Cynthia White and her husband own Mike’s Bar and Grill in Tupelo. She told WTVA-TV that their business will be open on New Year’s Eve and will issue last call for drinks before the 11 p.m. deadline. “We’ll just deal with it the best we can,” White said. The Oxford Police Department said in social media posts that it had received calls about the 11 p.m. cutoff for alcohol sales on New Year’s Eve. “The City of Oxford does not have the authority to be more lenient than the Governor’s Executive Order,” the department said.

Missouri

St. Louis: St. Louis County is allowing restaurants and bars to resume limited indoor dining starting Monday after shutting it down last month to limit the spread of the coronavirus. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported that establishments must close by 10 p.m. and capacity will be limited under the reopening plan that County Executive Sam Page announced Wednesday. They also must report customers’ names and contact information to health workers tracing coronavirus outbreaks. Some bars also will need to install physical barriers made of materials like plastic or plexiglass, Page said. Public health officials and an informal group of restaurant advisors devised the safeguards. County bars and restaurants have been limited to outdoor dining and carryout since the county entered a “safer at home” order on Nov. 17. But some restaurants challenged the restrictions to try to curtail curfews and bolster business during the pandemic, arguing they wouldn’t last much longer if limited to curbside pickup or outdoor dining.

Montana

Miles City:As vaccines continue to roll out across the state, staff and residents at the Montana VA Health Care System’s Miles City Community Living Center were expected to receive the vaccine on Tuesday. Residents and staff have been screened daily and are tested every two weeks. The facility’s strict COVID-19-related protocols prohibit in-person visitors. To date, no residents at the Miles City care facility have contracted COVID-19 during the pandemic. The long-term care facility serves 18 veterans from World War II, Korea and Vietnam, and there are 27 staff members. “We have found ways to create connection and interaction such as setting up separated visits at our glass entryway, using Skype calls, and taking small groups of veterans outdoors for picnics,” said Jennifer Kransky, a nurse manager at the facility. “That said, nothing can replace touch. All our our residents want to receive the vaccine and we are so excited for what this means for them. We cannot wait for the day where they can hug their families and this vaccine means we are one step closer.” As of Tuesday, Custer County, where Miles City is located, has experienced 952 total cases, 32 of which remain active, and 911 have recovered. The county has reported nine deaths related to COVID-19. The county reported six new cases on Tuesday.

Nebraska

Omaha: The University of Nebraska Medical Center and Nebraska Medicine are participating in national testing of a potential new COVID-19 vaccine for adults. The medical center plans to enroll 1,000 participants for the clinical trial. The potential vaccine was developed by Novavax, Inc., a U.S. biotechnology company, which plans to enroll 30,000 adults in the U.S. and Mexico. People who won’t be receiving the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines in the next three to six months are encouraged to consider enrolling in the trial. The vaccine candidate is a protein-based formula created from the coronavirus spike protein and an added component that boosts a person’s immune response to stimulate higher levels of antibodies. Thousands of participants have been enrolled across several large studies to test possible vaccines.

Nevada

Las Vegas: A New Year’s Eve event at a canopied casino-mall that is expected to draw at least 14,000 people could be a super-spreader event that overruns hospitals, members of Nevada’s coronavirus task force said Tuesday. Nevada COVID-19 response director Caleb Cage said plans for the Fremont Street Experience’s annual event could hamper the state’s ability to contain the virus amid the ongoing surge in hospitalizations. Since November, Nevada has limited capacity at events to 25% or 50 people to contain the virus. Clark County’s Recovery Organization Enforcement Workgroup, which is made up of health officials, law enforcement and representatives from city governments, denied Fremont Street Experience a permit to hold its annual celebration, but the city of Las Vegas issued the venue a special-use permit so it could charge for access and enforce crowd control. City spokesman David Riggleman said, by issuing a special-use permit, Las Vegas wasn’t sanctioning any event but recognizing that many planned to gather in a public place and attempting to make it as safe as possible. According to the outdoor mall’s website, everyone will need to wear a mask at all times and stay 6 feet away from each other. Unlike past years, Thursday’s event will not include street performers or live music. But guests will be able to watch a light show, see the Slotzilla Zoomline and walk the corridor’s six blocks. Guests of Fremont Street hotels will also be allowed on the premises for festivities. Las Vegas Metropolitan police Deputy Chief Kelly McMahill said Tuesday that officers will not be enforcing Nevada’s mask mandate and or social distancing requirement on New Year’s Eve, but they plan to ask pedestrians to comply.

New Hampshire

Concord: More than a month since protesters started gathering outside Gov. Chris Sununu’s home over his order requiring masks, police issued summonses to nine people and arrested one under a new anti-picketing ordinance passed by the select board, which includes Sununu’s brother. Skylar Bennett, 38, of Concord, said Wednesday he will contest his arrest on charges of criminal trespass and disorderly conduct at a candlelight vigil outside the home on Monday night. “It’s clear this ordinance in Newfields was specifically to benefit King Sununu,” Bennett said in a message to the Associated Press. He added that people have been gathering to protest because Sununu “closed the state.” Sununu issued an executive order that took effect Nov. 20 requiring masks to be worn in public spaces, indoors or outside, when social distancing isn’t possible because of the pandemic. The order expires Jan. 15. At least 100 people first appeared outside Sununu’s home to protest the order on Nov. 22. Frank Staples of the group Absolute Defiance said protesters gathered outside the governor’s house because Sununu had shut everything down, including the Statehouse, “so right now, this is the Statehouse.” There have been more protests since then. That led to the Dec. 22 passage of the ordinance by the three-member Newfields select board, which includes the governor’s brother, Michael. The governor, who was not at home at the time of Monday’s gathering, had no involvement in the ordinance or in its enforcement, Sununu’s spokesperson, Benjamin Vihstadt, said in a statement. The ordinance says “It is unlawful for any person to engage in picketing before or about the residence or dwelling of any individual in the town of Newfields.” Violators are subject to a $100 fine.

New Jersey

Trenton:President-elect Joe Biden has named a member of Gov. Phil Murphy’s cabinet to lead the country’s COVID-19 testing strategy once Biden takes office next month, the governor’s office announced Tuesday night. Carole Johnson, the state’s Department of Human Services commissioner since 2018, is expected to join the White House’s COVID-19 response team Jan. 15, Murphy’s office said. That will mark a return to Washington for Johnson, who spent more than five years as a senior health policy adviser on the White House Domestic Policy Council under former President Barack Obama. In that capacity, Johnson played a role in responding to the Zika and Ebola epidemics and had a hand in expanding Medicaid as part of the Affordable Care Act, broadening women’s health coverage and increasing funding for Planned Parenthood. Her new role will focus on expanding COVID-19 tests in schools and, nursing homes, and for other high-risk populations, according to Politico, which first reported her hiring.

New Mexico

Santa Fe: A group of businesses has sued in federal court to try to end New Mexico’s public health order, claiming Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham and state health officials have imposed arbitrary and unnecessary rules in response to the coronavirus pandemic. It’s the latest legal challenge to the governor’s public health orders. Earlier this year, the state Supreme Court backed her authority to restrict activities during the pandemic. The lawsuit this week asks the U.S. District Court to override the governor’s executive orders and limit any future public health orders to “an extremely limited period of time” unless authorized by state lawmakers. It also asks that the plaintiffs be compensated for lost income during the lockdowns. The plaintiffs include three Albuquerque businesses, a Silver City resort and a number of individuals, the Santa Fe New Mexican reported Tuesday. The governor’s health order limits capacity at grocery stores and other essential businesses, allows only for curbside pickup and delivery by restaurants, prohibits public gatherings and mandates mask wearing, among other things. The lawsuit contends that those measures are out of proportion to the virus’s true severity. Tripp Stelnicki, a spokesman for the governor, said the governor’s office won’t comment on the pending litigation.

New York

Albany: Asymptomatic individuals who are exposed to COVID-19 can now end their quarantine after 10 days in New York under new guidance announced by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. That’s down from the 14-day period recommended since the pandemic began. New York and other states have eased their guidances in light of recommendations released earlier this month by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cuomo said individuals exposed to the virus can now end their quarantine after 10 days without a test as along as they experienced no symptoms during the quarantine period. Then, individuals must keep monitoring for symptoms through Day 14 and self-isolate and contact health officials if they experience symptoms. Cuomo urged all to keep wearing masks, avoid gatherings and socially distance. The state is bracing for a potential post-holiday surge as hospitals continue to face an uptick that began in early October.

North Carolina

Wilmington:Cases of COVID-19 are rising in New Hanover County as a holiday surge continues. In the last two weeks, 1,158 new cases of COVID-19 have been reported in the county, according to a press release from New Hanover County Public Health. Public health officials are aware of 14 residents who have died from COVID-19 since Dec. 23, an 18% increase in deaths. The people who died were at risk of contracting a severe case of the virus because of their age, underlying health conditions or both, the release said.There have been 91 deaths attributed to COVID-19 in the county. Of those who died, 85.7% were 65 or older, 12.1% were between 50 and 64 and 2.2% were between 25 and 49. The county received its first shipment of the Moderna vaccine on Dec. 22. Since then, county health officials have administered more than 1,300 doses to those who are part of the Phase 1A group, including health care workers who care for COVID-19 patients.

North Dakota

Bismarck: The number of hospitalizations because of complications from the coronavirus has dipped below 100 for the first time in more than three months, North Dakota health officials said Wednesday. The number of people receiving treatment in medical facilities dropped by 19 in the last day, for a total of 96. The hospitalizations were last in double figures on Sept. 24 and topped 300 for more than a week in mid-November. The state’s hospital tracker showed there were 31 staffed intensive care unit beds and 327 staffed inpatient beds available throughout North Dakota as of Tuesday.The update showed 375 new COVID-19 cases in the last day, out of 8,944 tests. That’s a positivity rate of 4.74%. The COVID Tracking Project reported that the rolling average number of daily new cases in North Dakota has decreased by nearly 73% over the past two weeks.

Ohio

Cincinnati:Hamilton County counted 2,814 positive coronavirus cases in the last week, bringing the total to 50,527, said Commissioner Denise Driehaus in a Wednesday briefing. This was the last scheduled Hamilton County COVID-19 briefing of 2020. Hospitalizations increased by 64 to a total of 2,064 in Hamilton County, she said. There were three deaths in the past week. The total number of deaths for Hamilton County is now 411. “Those numbers are trending down,” Driehaus said.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma City: The State Department of Health has announced plans for COVID-19 vaccine distribution locations in the state as it moves into Phase 2 of vaccinations that will begin with first responders and health care workers who are not in a hospital setting. The department will establish “PODS,” or Points of Dispensing Sites, at places such as schools, community centers and fairgrounds statewide for those in the second tier, which also includes people 65 and older, according to a statement from the department on Tuesday. “PODS will help us provide more efficient access points as we open up the vaccine to larger populations as we continue to gradually move into phase 2 priority groups and beyond,” said Dr. Lance Frye, the state health commissioner. The vaccines are currently being administered to front-line health care workers, residents and staff at long-term care facilities, paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and pharmacy staff who administer the vaccine in long-term care facilities. The department said 29,725 vaccine doses have been administered as of Saturday.

Oregon

Portland: Five Oregon counties will be upgraded from extreme risk to high risk levels based on the area’s current COVID-19 data, Gov. Kate Brown said Tuesday. High risk is the first level in which some businesses, including restaurants, can resume offering indoor services. Oregon’s COVID-19 framework uses four risk levels for counties based on COVID-19 spread: extreme, high, moderate and lower. From Jan. 1 through Jan. 14, there will be 24 counties in the extreme risk level, five at high risk and seven at lower risk. Clatsop, Coos, Douglas, Lincoln and Morrow counties were moved to high risk from extreme. County risk levels are assessed every two weeks. The next assessment is Jan. 15.

Pennsylvania

Harrisburg: Additional restrictions that were imposed almost three weeks ago to fight the pandemic will expire as expected early next week, Gov. Tom Wolf said Wednesday. “This does not mean that we’re out of the woods. Not by any means,” Wolf said. “We still have significant mitigation orders in place.” Wolf said that on Monday morning, the regulations he imposed as of Dec. 12 will end. Wolf temporarily halted school sports and other extracurricular activities, closed gyms, theaters and casinos, and banned indoor dining at restaurants in response to the worsening pandemic. The restrictions have included an indoor gathering limit of 10, an outdoor gathering limit of 50 and capacity restrictions at retail stores. The temporary ban on sports has extended to K-12 public schools, nonpublic schools, private schools and sports at the club, travel, recreational and intramural levels. Republican state lawmakers and business groups have opposed the additional restrictions, and on Wednesday state House Republicans called them unwise and unwarranted. The Pennsylvania Licensed Beverage and Tavern Association said it welcomed the end of the three-week ban on in-person dining, but noted the closure came during what is usually a lucrative holiday period for bars and restaurants.

Rhode Island

Providence: The Rhode Island Department of Education has ruled that the superintendent of North Kingstown schools could not bar two students from attending in-person classes because they went to school while their father awaited the results of a coronavirus test. The siblings, one in high school and one in middle school, were suspended last month by their respective principals from attending in-person classes for the rest of the school year. The family appealed, and Superintendent Philip Auger reduced the suspension until Feb. 12. The parents went to the American Civil Liberties Union of Rhode Island, which petitioned the Department of Education, which ruled in the family’s favor on Tuesday. For privacy reasons, the family was not publicly identified. State Education Commissioner Angelica Infante-Green, quoting Greek playwright Euripides, wrote in her decision that “it is time, and past time to discredit and repudiate the notion that the sins of the father should be visited upon hapless offspring.” The father tested positive, as did the children, who were then taken out of school immediately. Auger said 44 other students had to be quarantined because the two students went to class sick and defended the suspensions. “This was a flagrant disregard for the rules,” he told The Providence Journal.

South Carolina

Columbia:Beleaguered city and hospital leaders in the region of South Carolina hardest hit by the coronavirus rebuked residents who plan to party in large crowds for New Year’s Eve as hospitals have already reached a breaking point Tuesday. In the Upstate, where COVID-19 infection rates continue to outpace every other part of South Carolina, some event organizers are still selling tickets to New Year’s Eve celebrations. Greenville officials said Tuesday they had received multiple complaints from residents about the planned festivities, adding that city has denied several requests for special permits to hold large events. “It’s horribly unfair and irresponsible to the men and women in the health care community, the nurses and doctors who are fighting this on the front lines,” Greenville Mayor Knox White told reporters. Greenville law enforcement officials said they will be patrolling downtown on New Year’s Eve to ensure people and businesses are complying with state regulations. Although Gov. Henry McMaster has lifted most of the restrictions he implemented since the start of the outbreak, there remains a ban on alcohol sales in restaurants and bars after 11 p.m. There is also an executive order that caps the size of gatherings to 250 people or 50% of regular occupancy limits, though the Department of Commerce can approve exceptions.

South Dakota

Sioux Falls: Republican state Sen. Lee Schoenbeck of Watertown confirmed Tuesday he has tested positive for the coronavirus. He said he experienced only a deep dry cough that lasted two days and is currently isolating in his Black Hills cabin, the Watertown Public Opinion reported. Schoenbeck, 62, said he plans to go pheasant hunting with his two dogs this weekend but otherwise will take it easy.

Tennessee

Nashville: The state has updated its scheduled rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations, including moving teachers into a higher priority category. Dr. Lisa Piercey, Tennessee’s health commissioner, said in releasing the updated plan Wednesday that it’s important for residents and workers to pay attention to the phases because of limited supplies and delays in receiving the vaccine. Piercey said counties could end up being at different phases of the rollout at the same time. She said the plan is focused on reducing the risk of exposure to the virus. The current rollout is focused on health care workers, including in-patient providers, first responders and staff members and residents of long-term care facilities. The vaccine is being offered through employers, health departments or a hospital. The state also has a concurrent plan to vaccinate residents based on age, starting with people 75 and older. The age-based vaccinations will be rolled out through 10-year age brackets. Piercey said people age 75 and older should call their local health departments to schedule an appointment to receive the vaccine.

Texas

Austin:Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is suing Austin Mayor Steve Adler and Travis County Judge Andy Brown to block a recently announced three-day curfew on dine-in services over the New Year’s holiday weekend. According to the suit, filed in Travis County on Wednesday, Paxton claimed the local orders related to bars and restaurants conflict with those outlined for the state by Gov. Greg Abbott. Paxton also asked that the court also enact a temporary restraining order and a temporary injunction against the orders. The three-day curfew in Austin is scheduled to begin Thursday night, according to city officials. Adler responded to the suit in a written statement Wednesday night, saying that the curfew was done so with the consultation of doctors who urged local leaders to do more to stymie the spread of the coronavirus. He also disputed Paxton’s claim that the city’s orders are in conflict with Abbott’s rules. “With only about 60 properly staffed ICU beds left in Austin-Travis County, (County Judge Andy Brown and I) issued a short and very limited order using terms taken from the El Paso and San Antonio orders that were not challenged by the Governor,” Adler wrote. “We believe that communities have the power to protect themselves when the State won’t. We also believe our orders do not violate the Governor’s rules. Tomorrow a court will decide. Whatever happens, we are trying to save as many lives as we can and we are following the medical and scientific advice.”

Utah

Salt Lake City: County officials in Utah have warned against holding large gatherings for New Year’s Eve without a permit, which is now required under safety guidelines intended to stop the spread of the coronavirus. Utah County Sheriff Sgt. Spencer Cannon raised concerns about potential gatherings, especially those being advertised without locations, FOX13 reported Tuesday. Cannon said some events don’t announce the location until the day before, thinking there is less of a chance of police breaking up the party. A Utah County-based group “YNG + DMB” posted on Instagram on Tuesday announcing a party. The “Hip Hop New Years 2021″ party is planned for Thursday night, but a location has not yet been announced. Organizers said in the post that the location will be revealed the day of the event. YNG + DMB did not immediately respond to requests for comment by the Associated Press. Utah County Attorney David Leavitt said all New Year’s Eve parties must have valid permits before they can gather while “really adhering to their societal responsibilities to help us get through this pandemic.” Utah County Health Department spokeswoman Aislynn Tolman-Hill said the department has not received an event permit for YNG + DMB. Leavitt said charges will not be brought against people for not wearing a mask in the county, but certain health violations could result in prosecution. It is unknown if not having a permit could result in prosecution.

Vermont

Bennington: The Bennington Police Department is dealing with an outbreak of the coronavirus among its force. Five officers, including the police chief, and one civilian employee have tested positive, Town Manager Stuart Hurd said by email on Wednesday. The department has 26 sworn officers. “We have sufficient officers to cover all shifts and our force is providing that coverage,” Hurd said. Town officials believe the outbreak is contained, he said. Police Chief Paul Doucette worked closely with the Vermont Department of Health to make sure proper protocols were followed, including contract tracing, Hurd said. “It is unfortunate, but as front-line workers, they face greater risks than most of us,” he said. The Bennington Banner first reported on the cases.

Virginia

Fort Lee:The COVID-19 vaccines have not arrived yet, but that is not stopping the Kenner Army Health Clinic from getting ready to administer them, a spokeswoman for the post medical center said Wednesday. Lesley Atkinson, Kenner’s public information officer, wrote in an email that they do not know when the Moderna vaccines will arrive. The Defense Department has “a phased delivery” of the vaccines to its base hospitals, and “Kenner Army Health Clinic was not one those initial sites selected,” Atkinson said. The closest military hospital to Fort Lee that was selected is Portsmouth Naval Hospital, and only personnel attached to that medical center are eligible for the vaccinations. “Currently, we do not know when Kenner will receive the vaccine,” Atkinson said. “However, when delivered, it will be administered according to vaccination distribution plans within the DoD. It will be consistent with data-driven (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) guidance for national prioritization.” Atkinson said when the vaccines arrive, they will be administered “as quickly as possible.” The first group to roll up their sleeves will be Kenner medical staff, as well as civilian and contract personnel with direct access to patient care. They will be followed by public-safety personnel and other mission-critical workers. Military retirees will also be able to receive the vaccine from Kenner.

Washington

Olympia: Gov. Jay Inslee on Wednesday extended restrictions on businesses and social gatherings because of the pandemic for another week. Inslee said the restrictions are now set to expire Jan. 11. “This choice is not easy,” Inslee said via Twitter. “Next week I’ll be announcing more details about our new plan to safely reopen.” In mid-November Inslee, in responde to rising case numbers, announced a host of businesses must close their indoor services, including fitness facilities and gyms, bowling centers, movie theaters, museums, zoos and aquariums. Retail stores – including grocery stores – were told to limit their indoor capacity to 25%. Also, indoor social gatherings with people from more than one household are prohibited unless attendees have either quarantined for 14 days before the gathering or tested negative for the coronavirus and quarantined for seven days. There’s no enforcement mechanism for indoor get-togethers.

West Virginia

Charleston: Gov. Jim Justice announced an aggressive plan Wednesday to reopen public schools to in-person learning for younger students and offer coronavirus vaccines to residents age 80 and older and to teachers and school personnel over age 50. The announcement came as West Virginia ends the year with more than 1,300 deaths from the virus. The number of people hospitalized with the virus hit a record 797 on Tuesday. “I think we’ve embarked on a bold plan, there’s no question about that,” Justice said. “I have no power to calm the seas but I can tell you this is the best thing we can possibly do to minimize the risk.” Justice plans to reopen all middle and elementary schools statewide by Jan. 19, regardless of virus infection rates in their counties. Justice said one-third of students are receiving failing grades in at least one core class, and that virtual-only learning models do not work for most students. He also cited figures that show virus infection rates in classrooms among younger students are “miniscule.” He also said Department of Health and Human Resources officials for months have seen child protection service referrals cut in half, meaning that abuse cases in homes aren’t getting reported. “We don’t have eyes on children,” said state Superintendent of Schools Clayton Burch. “Our biggest fear is that any children fall off the grid. We can’t allow that to happen. There is no substitution for a teacher engaging with students in person.” High school students in counties that do not have the most critical virus transmission rates also will return to school. However, most of the state’s 55 counties were in the critical category. Families with students who choose virtual learning-only methods can still use them, Justice said.

Wisconsin

Madison: Assembly Democrats are considering skipping next week’s inauguration ceremony because Republicans who control the chamber aren’t mandating masks and they believe an in-person ceremony is too risky. Assembly Minority Leader Gordon Hintz said that he’s afraid the lack of masks and packing people into an enclosed space during Monday’s ceremony could spread the coronavirus. Democratic Gov. Tony Evers swore in the Assembly’s 38 Democratic members virtually this week so they don’t need to attend next week’s ceremony to start their terms, Hintz said. Rep. Jimmy Anderson, a Fitchburg Democrat, told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he has only 20% to 30% lung capacity because he’s paralyzed from the chest down and a COVID-19 infection could kill him. He called the lack of a mask mandate “irresponsible.” Hintz said Anderson isn’t the only Democrat with existing health conditions that could contribute to a severe COVID-19 illness, although he didn’t name anyone. Still, Assembly Republican Speaker Pro Tem Tyler August sent an email to lawmakers on Dec. 23 saying masks are encouraged but not mandatory during inauguration. He said freshmen legislators will begin the inauguration ceremony seated in the chamber while returning members will be seated in an adjoining parlor. After freshmen are sworn in and sign the Assembly’s register, they will be asked to leave the chamber and the returnees will take their oaths of office in the parlor.

Wyoming

Casper: An outgoing Wyoming Republican state representative is organizing a protest to urge Republican Gov. Mark Gordon to discontinue coronavirus health restrictions that are set to expire on Jan. 8. State Rep. Scott Clem said he plans on marching Monday at the state Capitol to protest the “tyranny” of the governor and his public health orders meant to reduce the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Clem did not immediately respond to a request for comment made by the Casper Star-Tribune on Tuesday. Wyoming’s Republican Party leadership, which has promoted the protest on its Facebook page, said the organization had no role in the event. “We are not organizing this event,” Frank Eathorne, the Wyoming Republican Party chairman, said in a text message to the Star-Tribune. “Scott Clem is a sitting legislator and the party assists with anything consistent with our platform and resolutions.” Gordon’s Dec. 9 order limited capacity at indoor venues, implemented a mask mandate in all indoor spaces and reduced hours at bars and restaurants.