SIU researchers discover new variant of COVID-19
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Keith T. Gagnon from Southern Illinois University Carbondale talks about how their research unearthed a new variant of COVID-19 and what that means going forward.

Mar-a-Lago receives warning from Palm Beach County over coronavirus mask violations

President Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort received a warning from Palm Beach County over its failure to enforce a mask ordinance at its New Year's Eve party. The club could receive fines of up to $15,000 per future violation.

Evaluating the safety risks of returning to indoor dining
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Dr. Shikha Jain from the University of Illinois at Chicago talks about the challenges of returning to indoor dining and what's next in the city's phased vaccine rollout plan.

Attorneys urge California to move incarcerated to front of vaccination line

There have been about a dozen bigger outbreaks in the last month, accounting for about a third of the 167 inmate coronavirus deaths. Corrections officials said active cases peaked Dec. 20 at 10,721 systemwide.

Mayor: Chicago opening 6 mass coronavirus vaccination sites

The city of Chicago is opening six mass COVID-19 vaccination sites that’ll be able to deliver roughly 25,000 weekly shots once operational, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Thursday.

$15 an hour minimum wage: Biden pushes for urgent increase amid COVID-19 pandemic

During his announcement of the “American Rescue Plan,” President-elect Joe Biden pushed for the minimum wage in the United States to be raised to at least $15 an hour.

Biden unveils $1.9 trillion COVID-19 stimulus plan, including $1,400 stimulus checks

President-elect Joe Biden is unveiling a $1.9 trillion coronavirus plan aimed at speeding up the vaccine rollout and providing financial help to individuals, states and local governments and businesses.

Chicago bar giving out gift cards to individuals who get COVID-19 vaccine

The Village Tap, located in the North Center neighborhood, announced on Twitter that they will be giving out 1,000 gift cards valued at $10 each, to individuals who receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Illinois reports 6,652 new coronavirus cases, 88 more deaths

The Illinois Department of Public Health on Thursday reported 6,652 newly diagnosed cases of COVID-19, raising the state’s confirmed coronavirus total to 1,052,682.

Gut bacteria may influence COVID-19 severity and immune response, study suggests

Gut bacteria may impact the severity of COVID-19, as well as the body’s immune response to the virus, a new study suggests. Imbalances in type and volume of bacteria may also be tied to “long-haul” COVID.

New study links Vitamin D deficiency to COVID-19 mortality rate
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Professor Adrian Gombart from Oregon State University elaborates on the findings from his study focusing on the apparent link between Vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 deaths.

Jobless claims jump to 965,000 as COVID-19 pandemic takes toll

The number of people seeking unemployment aid soared last week to 965,000, the most since late August and evidence that the resurgent virus has caused a spike in layoffs.

$2,000 checks: Biden to release stimulus package plan

On Monday, Biden maintained that getting money into the hands of Americans is a top priority when he takes office.

US records deadly new milestone: More than 4,300 COVID-19 deaths in 1 day

While the U.S. rolls out vaccines for the deadly coronavirus, the pandemic’s toll mounted as the country recorded a new single-day record of 4,327 deaths on Tuesday.