Georgia lifts many of its COVID-19 restrictions

​​​​​​​Georgia's COVID-19 restrictions loosened significantly on Thursday, most notably the order restricting capacity inside restaurants and bars.

FEMA to reimburse families $9,000 for COVID-related funeral costs

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will begin offering $9,000 to families who lost loved ones to COVID-19 in a massive effort to retroactively reimburse them for funeral costs. Applications for the money will open up on Monday. 

Unemployment claims jump to 744,000 as layoffs persist amid pandemic

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose last week to 744,000, signaling that many employers are still cutting jobs.

More than 5,000 people attend illegal party in Tonto National Forest

Authorities said violations included DUI, double riding, speeding, reckless vehicle operation, staging camps in illegal areas, blocking roadways, illegal use of fireworks and target shooting.

NIH study finds coronavirus infects mouth cells, saliva

Researchers from the National Institutes of Health found evidence to suggest that the novel coronavirus is able to replicate and infect mouth tissue, spreading to a person’s saliva and eventually infecting a patient’s lungs when swallowed.

CDC says more contagious UK COVID-19 variant is now the dominant strain in the US

The CDC says a new more contagious variant of the coronavirus is now the dominant strain circulating in the US. The B.1.1.7 variant, which surfaced in the United Kingdom last fall is more transmissible and may cause more severe disease. US health officials say the vaccines could stop the new strain, if the US can get many more Americans protected.

156 million coronavirus relief payments issued, Treasury says

The Treasury Department says it has issued more than 156 million payments as part of President Joe Biden’s coronavirus relief plan.

Biden moves COVID-19 vaccine eligibility date for all US adults up to April 19

President Joe Biden on Tuesday plans to announce that every U.S. adult will be eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine by April 19, the Associated Press reports.

California aims to fully reopen its economy on June 15, Gov. Newsom says

California will fully reopen its economy on June 15 if vaccine supply is sufficient for Californians 16 years and older who wish to get vaccinated; and if hospitalization rates are stable and low, Governor Gavin Newsom announced Tuesday. 

CDC: There's 1-in-10,000 chance of getting COVID from surfaces

There is a less than 1-in-10,000 chance of catching COVID-19 from surfaces, according to a Monday update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Nearly 40,000 kids lost a parent to COVID-19, study suggests

The total marks a 20% increase compared to the number of kids losing a parent during a typical year, researchers say. 

Alabama fan's death after attending NCAA tournament prompts COVID-19 contact tracing in Indiana

Health officials in Indiana are investigating whether anyone was exposed to COVID-19 by Alabama residents after a fan reportedly died of COVID-19 following attendance of the NCAA Tournament.

New vaccine could revolutionize fight against COVID-19

The new COVID-19 vaccine uses the HexaPro spike protein, developed by scientists at the University of Texas at Austin. 

Norwegian Cruises asks CDC to allow trips from US ports in July

Norwegian Cruise Line is asking the CDC for permission to resume trips from U.S. ports on July 4th, requiring passengers and crew members to be vaccinated against COVID-19 at least two weeks before the trip.