Hospitalizations at new high, positivity rate up in Missouri

O’FALLON, Mo. (AP) — The number of people hospitalized for the coronavirus in Missouri has reached another record, and the seven-day average positivity rate was more than triple the benchmark suggested by the World Health Organization. The state health department’s COVID-19 dashboard showed other alarming numbers Thursday: 1,875 new confirmed cases and 22 deaths. The…

China Fires 2 Health Officials Following New Virus Outbreak

Beijing, China (AP) — A hospital president and the director of the health commission in the northern Chinese city of Qingdao have been fired after China’s latest coronavirus outbreak. A brief notice on the Qingdao city government’s official microblog says the the two people were placed under further investigation. No other details were given. Authorities…