Smart Talk: COVID cases surge in Pa. and around the world

The Pennsylvania Department of Health reported an additional 6,311 positive cases of COVID-19 from Saturday and Sunday. This number is nearly double the highest number of cases reported during the first surge of the Pandemic.

A lot more is known about the virus since it first appeared last winter, but that doesn’t make the increase in cases less alarming. Many people still have questions about the virus, how to avoid exposure and what to do if they experience symptoms.

Dr. Gerald Maloney, DO, is the Chief Medical Officer for Geisinger Hospitals and he joins Tuesday’s Smart Talk to answer questions about COVID-19 and stopping the spread.

Good news from one COVID vaccine trial and Biden announces Pandemic transition strategy

Pfizer is one of the world’s largest biopharmaceutical companies and is one of many pursuing a Coronavirus vaccine. The company reported this week that the early testing data is showing more than a 90% effective rate in the vaccine trial.

This big news was met with a stock market surge and great enthusiasm by industry followers and global leaders, all betting on a vaccine distribution before 2021.

President-elect Joe Biden approached the news with cautious optimism on the same day he announced a COVID task force to lead his administration’s Pandemic response.