Mexico says coronavirus now endemic, not pandemic MEXICO CITY (AP) — The Mexican government said Tuesday that COVID-19 has passed from a pandemic to an endemic stage in Mexico, meaning authorities will treat it as a seasonally recurring disease. Mexico never enforced face mask requirements, and the few partial shutdowns of businesses and activities were lifted weeks ago. AP NEWS

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New case numbers have declined. But that may be because Mexico, which never did much testing, is now offering even fewer tests. ...

EU looks at ramping up COVID vaccinations of kids, developing antivirals European Union governments should ramp up COVID-19 immunisations of children, the European Commission said on Wednesday in presenting its strategy to move away from the emergency phase of the pandemic, which includes plans to develop antivirals. Francesco Guarascio Reuters

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Harris positive for COVID-19, Biden not a 'close contact' WASHINGTON (AP) — Vice President Kamala Harris tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, the White House announced, underscoring the persistence of the highly contagious virus even as the U.S. eases restrictions in a bid to return to pre-pandemic normalcy. AP NEWS

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Neither President Joe Biden nor first lady Jill Biden was considered a “close contact” of Harris in recent days, said the vice president’s press secretary, Kirsten Allen. Harris had been scheduled to attend Biden’s Tuesday morning Presidential Daily Brief but was not present, the White House said. ...

Teens Made Up Larger Share of Suicides Early in the Pandemic, Study Finds Across 14 states, an upward trend was seen overall, though certain states had declines Molly Walker medpagetoday

Adolescent suicides made up a larger share of suicides at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic compared to prepandemic years, according to data from 14 states.

Americans back flexible approach on masks, but eager to move on from COVID-Reuters/Ipsos Most Americans support a flexible approach to the lingering COVID-19 pandemic, with cities reimposing mask mandates when cases surge, even as a growing number are eager to get on with their lives, a Reuters/Ipsos poll completed on Friday found. Jason Lange Reuters

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Biden will make Paxlovid, a highly effective COVID drug, available to more pharmacies The antiviral pill is available to patients older than 12 who have tested positive for COVID and are at risk for developing a severe case of the disease. NPR.org

There is a new push from the White House to get Paxlovid, a drug which reduces the risk of COVID hospitalization by 90 percent, into the hands of more Americans.

U.S. FDA approves Gilead's COVID-19 drug for young children The U.S. drug regulator on Monday granted the first full approval for treating COVID-19 in children aged 28 days and older to Gilead Sciences Inc's drug remdesivir. Reuters Reuters

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