The coronavirus pandemic, bird flu, NBA playoffs, cyberattack: 5 things to know Wednesday

States ramp up coronavirus shots, Ohio to announce second Vax-a-Million winner

President Joe Biden will hold a White House news conference at 1:15 pm ET Wednesday on the nation’s coronavirus response. The address comes as states continue to ramp up vaccinations ahead of the administration’s goal of having 70% of U.S. adults receive at least one COVID-19 shot by July 4. So far, 12 states have passed that benchmark, the latest being California and Maryland. Meanwhile, Ohio plans to announce its second Vax-a-Million winner Wednesday, when most of the state’s COVID-related health orders will end. 

  • ‘I still can’t believe it:’Meet Ohio’s first Vax-a-Million lottery, scholarship winners
  • Why collegesare requiring, or bribing, students to get COVID vaccines

From vaccination rates to case counts, here are some important COVID-19 statistics you should know from May 2021.

USA TODAY

China reports what may be first human case of H10N3 bird flu

A 41-year-old man from eastern China may be the first human to contract the H10N3 strain of bird flu, Chinese officials said, adding that the infection was a result of accidental cross-species transmission. The man was hospitalized April 28 after developing fever and other symptoms. He was diagnosed with the infection on May 28, according to Reuters, but is now stable and ready to be discharged from the hospital. Authorities in China said the risk of widespread transmission is low and there are no other human cases of H10N3 reported elsewhere in the world. While it’s possible for some avian viruses to jump from birds to humans, they so far don’t have the capability of transmitting between humans, said Jürgen Richt, director of the Center on Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases with the National Institutes of Health.

  • Biden tells intel agenciesto step up probe of COVID-19’s origins
  • What will the next generationofCOVID-19 vaccines look like?

A international political struggle to control the narrative of coronavirus is growing as the United States, Europe, and China focus on investigating the origins of the COVID-19 instead of solving other problems perpetuating the global pandemic. (May 26)

AP Domestic

NBA Playoffs feature trio of elimination games, as fan incidents frustrate 

The NBA playoffs continue Wednesday with three teams – the Memphis Grizzlies, New York Knicks, and Washington Wizards – facing elimination in their best-of-seven series. The Philadelphia 76ers host Washington with star Joel Embiid listed as doubtful after he was injured in Monday’s defeat. New York hosts the Atlanta Hawks, while the Utah Jazz host the Grizzlies. Perhaps the bigger question is: Will the fans behave? At least six horrible fan incidents have marred the playoffs so far. Monday night, a fan was tackled after running on the court in Washington, leading Wizards coach Scott Brooks to offer a scathing rebuke: “Your thinking is barbaric. Stay home. We don’t need you.”

  • These young NBA stars are showing they are ready to take over the league
  • How Nuggets’ Facundo Campazzo went from international star to NBA success story
  • Celtics fan arrested after allegedly throwing water bottle at Nets star

Source: Read Full Article