Feb 28 (Reuters) --  ...

Hong Kong mortuaries hit capacity

 -- Facilities for storing dead bodies at hospitals and public mortuaries in Hong Kong are at maximum capacity due to a record number of COVID-19 fatalities, the Hospital Authority said on Monday, as officials battle to control a surge in cases.

Nearly half of Biden's 500M free COVID tests still unclaimed WASHINGTON (AP) — Nearly half of the 500 million free COVID-19 tests the Biden administration recently made available to the public still have not been claimed as virus cases plummet and people feel less urgency to test. AP NEWS

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NYC schools drop outdoor mask mandate; indoor mandate stays NEW YORK (AP) — New York City public school students will be allowed to remove their masks outside starting next week but must keep them on indoors for now, Schools Chancellor David Banks said Friday. AP NEWS

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Why Lengthen mRNA Vaccine Dosing Interval? CDC Staff Explain International data indicated lower risks, higher benefits for certain younger populations Molly Walker medpagetoday

Extended dosing intervals for Pfizer or Moderna vaccines may be considered for certain individuals ages 12 to 64 years, not only to lower the risk of vaccine-associated myocarditis, but to potentially improve vaccine effectiveness, CDC staff said on Thursday.

According to the agency's new interim guidance, young people ages 12 to 39 may especially benefit from a second mRNA dose 8 weeks after their first dose.

How Taiwan used simple tech to help contain Covid-19 The low-tech approach that helped Taiwan efficiently fight off coronavirus. BBC News

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Florida's new coronavirus guidance: 'Buck the CDC' Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo have announced new coronavirus policy recommendations that discourage mask wearing and push physicians to use off-label medications to treat the virus ABC News ABC News

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and state Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo on Thursday announced new coronavirus policy recommendations that discourage mask-wearing and push physicians to use off-label medications to treat the virus.

Canada approves Medicago's plant-based COVID-19 vaccine for adults Medicago's vaccine on Thursday became the world's first plant-based shot approved against COVID-19 after Health Canada cleared it for use in adults. Amruta Khandekar Reuters

Feb 24 (Reuters) -  ...

New Hampshire no longer recommends masks in most indoor spaces as COVID-19 declines

New Hampshire is no longer recommending that face masks be worn in indoor public spaces, including schools, as the number of COVID-19 cases in the state continues to decline.

State health officials said that even though COVID-19 is continuing to circulate, the risk of serious illness has declined to the point that masks are no longer routinely necessary.

"As the risk decreases, we can pull back on some of the recommended prevention strategies," said Dr. Benjamin Chan, the state epidemiologist. "We are no longer recommending universal face masks for people in indoor public locations, unless required in specific situations."

>> COVID-19 in New Hampshire updates: Important information