More transmissible variants rising in Pa. and N.J. | Coronavirus Newsletter
Plus, why Independence Blue Cross posted big profits during the pandemic
The gist: Independence Blue Cross posted huge profits last year because the insurer paid far less for medical care when the pandemic kept patients away from hospitals outside of emergencies. COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and nearly half are from a more-transmissible coronavirus variant first identified in Britain, according to data from one testing company. But experts say that variant may not be fully to blame for the increase in cases. Read why here.
— Ellie Silverman (@esilverman11, health@inquirer.com)
What you need to know:
😷 Philadelphia will open COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to all adults on April 19, along with Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
💉 A new FEMA vaccine site is scheduled to open in North Philadelphia on Friday at Esperanza.
🦠 Anthony Fauci thinks the pace of vaccinations will prevent a “fourth wave” of infections.
📚 In a visit to a Philly school visit, U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona vowed help and said “we can safely reopen schools.”
⚾ The pandemic shuttered a kids basketball tournament and a bookshop. A genius partnership saved both.
🎓 Princeton admitted only 4% of applicants, making the New Jersey university among the highly selective schools that got more selective during the pandemic.
📱 Zoom intimacy and creative sexting: How COVID-19 has changed the way Philadelphians have sex.
📰 What’s going on near you? We organize recent coverage of the pandemic by local counties and Philly neighborhoods to make it easier for you to find info you care about. Now, you can also get those local headlines sent directly to your inbox by signing up here.
Local coronavirus cases
📈 The coronavirus has swept across the Philadelphia region and cases continue to mount. The Inquirer and Spotlight PA are compiling geographic data on tests conducted, cases confirmed, and deaths caused by the virus. Track the spread here.
COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and nearly half are from a more transmissible coronavirus variant first identified in Britain, according to data from one testing company. But experts say that variant may not be fully to blame for the increase in cases. The recent rise could also be driven by people relaxing precautions before most are fully vaccinated. Read more here.
Last year was a very profitable one for Independence Blue Cross. The Philadelphia region’s largest health insurer paid far less for medical care in 2020, a pandemic year when people were nervous about going to the hospital, and both elective and non-urgent care was greatly reduced. Are you now worried about going back to the doctor for a check up? Here’s our guide on how to stay calm.
Helpful resources
Am I eligible to get vaccinated? Know the requirements for Philly, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
Where can I get a COVID-19 vaccine in the Philly area? Use our lookup tool.
Here's how to prepare for your vaccine appointment.
What you can do safely once you're fully vaccinated.
Symptoms of COVID-19, flu, common cold, and allergies can overlap. How to tell the difference.
You got this: Traveling if you have unvaccinated kids
If you are fully vaccinated, you can safely travel at a “low risk,” the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says. Just make sure it is two weeks since your last shot and you continue to wear a mask, avoid crowds, social distance, and wash your hands. But if you have kids, you may want to wait. Here’s why.
🍺 Here are a dozen Pennsylvania breweries that you can make a day trip out of visiting, no matter what your taste in beer.
💰 Haven’t received your stimulus check? More payments are coming this week.
🍽️ New businesses are baking up plans to get empanadas on both sides of the Delaware River.
Have a social distancing tip or question to share? Let us know at health@inquirer.com and your input might be featured in a future edition of this newsletter.
What we’re paying attention to
Health-care workers told the Washington Post about the hardest parts of working on the front lines of the pandemic.
One in four Americans said they would refuse a coronavirus vaccine, according to a recent poll. NPR spoke to experts about why that hesitancy may put herd immunity at risk.
Inexperienced adventurers are flooding remote areas during the pandemic. When they eventually call for help, they strain search and rescue teams made up of a network of volunteers, the New York Times reports.
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