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Coronavirus

Vaccinated Ohioans must opt in for chance at Vax-a-Million

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Vaccinated Ohioans must register to win one of five $1 million drawings or five college scholarships in the Vax-a-Million lottery that launches at 8 a.m. today. Gov. Mike DeWine reviewed the rules of the contest Monday following an earlier press conference with Ohio Department of Health Director Stephanie McCloud and Director of Lottery Pat McDonald. “Beginning May 26, we will announce five weekly winners of a drawing for $1 million,” DeWine said. “All Ohioans 18 years of age or older are eligible. They have to have been vaccinated. “Also beginning ...

Agencies, businesses respond to COVID unemployment cut

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The “lifeline” of supplemental COVID-19 unemployment payments has kept many people afloat during the pandemic, but Gov. Mike DeWine announced Thursday that the $300 weekly payments will end June 26. With close to 5 million Ohioans vaccinated and shot clinics open ...

Vaccinated can largely ditch masks

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a major step toward returning to pre-pandemic life, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eased mask-wearing guidance for fully vaccinated people, allowing them to stop wearing masks outdoors in crowds and in most indoor settings. “Today is a great day for ...

State to aid in contact tracing

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — The Belmont County Health Department is receiving some state aid in contact tracing, which should free up staff for other duties. Belmont County Deputy Health Commissioner Robert Sproul said Tuesday he had spoken with the state health department on details of contact ...

New White House panel aims to separate science, politics

WASHINGTON (AP) — Eager to the turn the page on the Trump years, the Biden White House is launching an effort to unearth past problems with the politicization of science within government and to tighten scientific integrity rules for the future. A new 46-person federal scientific ...

Pfizer COVID-19 shot OK’d for U.S. kids as young as 12

COVID-19 vaccines finally are headed for more kids as U.S. regulators on Monday expanded use of Pfizer’s shot to those as young as 12, sparking a race to protect middle and high school students before they head back to class in the fall. Shots could begin as soon as a federal vaccine ...