covid19
FDA approves Pfizer; State OB/GYNs plea for vaccinations among pregnant, postpartum women
Earlier today it was announced that the FDA gave full and final approval to the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine, “which will now be marketed as Comirnaty, for the prevention of COVID-19 disease in individuals 16 years of age and older,” according to the FDA’s press release today. It’s long-awaited news, and it comes right after a plea…
Read MoreDelta variant dampens back-to-school excitement
From Page 1 of the Aug 1 issue of The Advertiser. Laurens County, S.C. – Just a few weeks ago it appeared that children were heading back to a school year finally free of COVID-19 fears, but the rapid increase in cases of the Delta variant has given pause to the back-to- school excitement. Last…
Read MoreWalk-ins available for COVID-19 testing, vaccines this week at Laurens County Health Department
DHEC is providing regular updates for COVID-19 vaccine clinics and testing opportunities in the Upstate Region and hours include daytime and on Tuesday, early evening hours. (see below) For the most current vaccine clinic information: scdhec.gov/vaxlocator. For the most current testing site information: scdhec.gov/findatest. COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and free. The Moderna and Janssen (Johnson &…
Read MoreWhile supplies last: Vaccines available at Ridge for those 65 and older
Updated story from the Feb. 3 issue of The Advertiser. Feb. 8, 2021 Laurens, S.C. – Before the pandemic, The Ridge at Laurens was typically filled with children in basketball and volleyball tournaments or adults in meetings in the conference room. Last Monday, however, it was filled instead with health professionals and many people 70…
Read MorePrisma Health restricts ‘broad visitation’ starting this weekend
Prisma Health released information Friday afternoon explaining that patient visitation will be restricted effective Saturday, Jan. 9, in the wake of a growing surge of COVID-19 infections across South Carolina. The restrictions are system-wide for Prisma Health facilities, including the Prisma Health Laurens County Campus. “We know that being with families is itself a healing therapy and…
Read MoreDistrict 55 changes course after DHEC report, District 56 remains in-person
Laurens County, South Carolina – Just hours ahead of what was going to be the first week of hybrid eLearning and classroom learning in Laurens School District 55, the district has changed course and will revert to a total eLearning situation, at least for now. The district made the announcement and contacted parents and teachers…
Read MoreMcMaster presents restaurant, limited mask mandates to slow virus spread
In a Wednesday afternoon press conference, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster presented an executive order that makes mandatory the measures which had previously been only recommended for restaurants, venues and other gathering places. They will go into effect Monday, Aug. 3. Then starting Aug. 5, McMaster said his executive order requires face masks be worn in…
Read MoreWalmart to require masks starting Monday, July 20
Laurens County, South Carolina – Several nationally known companies have decided that beginning Monday, July 20, to require customers to wear masks, regardless of whether or not their local governments require the measure. In a press statement released Wednesday afternoon, Walmart explained that the retail stores will require shoppers to wear face coverings at its more than 5,000…
Read MoreClinton passes non-enforceable mask resolution for COVID-19 safety
With a split vote, Clinton City Council Monday night voted not to adopt an ordinance which would have made the wearing of masks inside public buildings an enforceable law. The meeting was closed to the public but was available on Facebook Live. What did pass after much discussion was a non-enforceable resolution urging the Clinton…
Read MoreMask resolution passed by Laurens City Tuesday night
Laurens, South Carolina – Laurens City Council held a special called meeting Tuesday night June 30, and, after lengthy discussions, unanimously passed a resolution encouraging Laurens residents to seriously take on the habits as outlined by health professionals in wearing a mask, social distancing and washing hands often to try and prevent the spread of…
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