Vaccine 411 - Coronavirus and Covid 19 Vaccine news, updates, and information for 4/20/2021

<p>This is Vaccine 411, the latest coronavirus vaccine information for April 20th, 2021.</p><p><br></p><p>In India, New Delhi imposed a weeklong lockdown to prevent the total collapse of that city's health system. Ambulances roam the streets looking for a hospital with empty beds, patients line up at medical facilities, and ambulances each carrying half a dozen bodies idle outside crematoriums. The virus is spreading at a rate faster than at any other time there.</p><p><br></p><p>At a White House Covid-19 task force briefing, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky reported the current 7-day case average is up to over 67,440 per day and the 7-day average of daily deaths is up to about 695 deaths per day. She’s confident the vaccines are effective, but said they take time to kick in, around 2-6 weeks, so prevention measures must stay in place.</p><p><br></p><p>Oregon is receptive to that message. Health officials there are considering mandating masks and social distancing in all businesses indefinitely. Many businesses and residents are fuming, with 60,000 signing a petition against the measure. But proponents say it’s necessary because state law requires a "permanent" rule to keep current restrictions from expiring.</p><p><br></p><p>The United States remains committed to the idea that banning travel is a major part of ending Covid-19. The State Department said it’s going to boost its “Do Not Travel” guidance to about 80% of countries around the world. It’ll be a significant increase in the number of countries at the Level 4: Do Not Travel designation.</p><p><br></p><p>As an indicator we’re at the stage where everyone is free to get a vaccine, a defense official says prisoners at Guantanamo can now start getting them. They actually were at the relative top of the list until many expressed outrage that they were prioritized for eligibility over many demographics of Americans. There are actually only 40 men being held there.</p><p><br></p><p>In the United States cases were up 4%, deaths are down 5%, and hospitalizations