COVID-19

Mast cell activation syndrome provides important clues for the treatment of long COVID-19, says Dr. Leonard Weinstock of Missouri Baptist Medical Center.

New COVID-19 vaccinations in Missouri have slowed as many residents refuse the shot, asserting their personal freedom. Republican lawmakers claiming vaccine mandates amount to government overreach have fought back against local officials and public health departments. In more than two dozen counties, fewer than one-third of people are fully vaccinated.

More than 40 doctors and nurses from the Navy will arrive at Christian Hospital in north St. Louis County to help doctors overwhelmed by the influx of COVID-19 patients.

Children between 5 and 11 have been eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine for nearly three months, but only about 13% of children in that age group in Missouri are fully vaccinated.

Sheriffs who are charged with operating county jails around the state say IDOC’s decision puts more strain on county resources and personnel.

Gov. Pritzker said the state is bolstering its health care workforce by deploying more workers and allowing out-of-state health care providers to continue practicing in Illinois with expanded permissions to care for all patients.

School districts across the region say they are having difficulties covering classes as teachers and staff are out sick because of COVID-19. Some say Missouri should provide more flexibility to allow virtual learning.

But the court upheld a separate mandate for almost all employees at hospitals, nursing homes and other health care providers that receive federal funds.

The Biden administration announced Friday that Americans can begin ordering free at-home COVID-19 tests starting Jan. 19. Orders can be placed using the website COVIDtests.gov.

The Board of Curators' decision not to require masks comes as the state experiences the worst COVID-19 infection rates it has seen since the start of the pandemic.