Covid
Quarantine policies discourage international students from going home during winter break
Countries like New Zealand, Vietnam, and Japan are requiring travelers from the United States to quarantine upon arrival even if they are fully vaccinated.
First case of Omicron COVID-19 variant reported in Philadelphia
The Omicron variant, which was first identified in Botswana and South Africa, could be more contagious than other variants and less susceptible to vaccines.
Here's how to replace a lost or stolen COVID-19 vaccine card in the United States
Penn and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are now recommending booster shots in light of the Omicron variant of COVID-19.
Penn urges students to limit social gatherings, get booster shot as COVID-19 cases rise
The University's COVID-19 positivity rate increased slightly last week, rising from 0.64% between Nov. 14 and Nov. 20 to 0.84% between Nov. 21 and Nov. 27, mimicking a nationwide trend.
Wistar Institute receives $4 million to study effect of COVID-19 on at-risk populations
At-risk groups include older populations, people with HIV, and those with drug addiction.
Philadelphia health department spent almost $100,000 on Uber costs for city employees
The money, intended for “emergency purchases during the COVID-19 pandemic,” was misused, according to Rhynhart.
Penn Medicine researchers find gene variants linked to COVID-19 severity in Black Americans
The team from the Perelman School of Medicine found two potential pathways to target the two variants of the gene that make some Black Americans more susceptible to COVID-19 and sepsis complications.
Penn COVID-19 positivity rate stays low, as local rate rises
Chief Wellness Officer Benoit Dubé said the majority of the cases were linked to either travel to areas with lower vaccination rates or transmission by unvaccinated family members.
Penn Medicine COVID-19 symptom reporting program saved lives, according to new study
Penn Medicine researchers concluded that those who enrolled in COVID Watch benefited from a 68 percent reduction in mortality rate.
CDC reports inaccurate COVID-19 vaccination rates for Pennsylvania
The CDC has consistently overcounted the number of adults who have received their first doses and slightly undercounted the number of fully vaccinated adults.
Commonwealth Court overturns Pennsylvania's school mask mandate
The mask order will remain for now, as Governor Tom Wolf’s administration immediately appealed and subsequently blocked the court’s decision.
New Zeke Emanuel course will bring students to Washington to learn about how policy is made
The course, PSCI 398: How Washington Really Works, will include students from Penn and George Mason University, and will be co-taught by Emanuel and George Mason University professor Steve Pearlstein.
Man convicted of 1998 Palestra shooting allegedly defrauded COVID-19 relief programs
Kyle McLemore began planning a scheme to take advantage of COVID-19 relief programs less than a week after he was released from prison, prosecutors alleged.
Penn’s COVID-19 case count remains low, but many students still at risk of testing noncompliance
While the overall case count remains low, thousands of students — including 2,856 undergraduates in the College of Arts and Sciences — are at risk of receiving noncompliance red PennOpen Passes on Nov. 16 due to testing noncompliance.
Philadelphia makes COVID-19 vaccine available to children ages five to 11
The City of Philadelphia announced that the Health Department is working with vaccine providers to get children vaccinated in the same facilities as adults.
Fewer than 900 undergraduates receive red PennOpen Passes due to COVID-19 testing noncompliance
More than 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students received red PennOpen Passes for COVID-19 testing noncompliance two weeks ago.
Annenberg Public Policy director discusses how conspiracists spread COVID-19 disinformation
The commentary analyzes how conspiracy theorists questioned the trustworthiness and motives of government agencies and officials to portray scientists and health experts as bad actors.
Penn will place 1,150 students on registration hold due to COVID-19 vaccine noncompliance
The registration holds will be placed on student accounts on Oct. 29, barring students from participating in the upcoming Advance Registration period, which begins on Nov. 1.
Over 7,000 students risk being barred from classes due to COVID-19 testing noncompliance
Students who have not received a COVID-19 test since Oct. 19 are in danger of receiving red passes and have until Oct. 30 to get tested.