July 23 Update – Vaccines and Beef | NH State Representative Steven Smith

USDA Provides Update on Investigation Following 2019 Tyson Beef Plant Closure and COVID-19 Pandemic

(Washington, D.C., July 22, 2020) – As part of its commitment to ensuring fair and competitive markets for the livestock, meat and poultry industries, today the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) released a report on its ongoing boxed beef and fed cattle price spread investigation.

“The closure of the Tyson beef packing plant in Holcomb, Kansas, after a fire at the facility, and the COVID-19 pandemic clearly disrupted the markets and processing systems responsible for the production and sale of U.S. beef,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue. “The report examines these economic disruptions and the significant increase in the spread between boxed beef and fed cattle prices that resulted from them. While we’re pleased to provide this update, we assure producers that our work continues in order to determine if there are any violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act. If any unfair practices are detected, we will take quick enforcement action.”

Background:

The report, prepared by USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service in coordination with the Office of the Chief Economist, summarizes market conditions, fed cattle prices, boxed beef values and the spread before and after the fire and plant closure at the Tyson Holcomb plant, and before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

US secures 100 million doses of Pfizer coronavirus vaccine candidate

The U.S. government announced Wednesday it has reached a deal to gain access to at least 100 million doses of a Pfizer coronavirus vaccine candidate if it proves to be safe and effective.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Defense announced the agreement with Pfizer for the large-scale production of over 100 million doses following the vaccine’s successful manufacture. Upon receipt of the first 100 million doses, the U.S. will pay the drugmaker $1.95 billion. More at https://abcnews.go.com/Business/us-secures-100-million-doses-pfizer-coronavirus-vaccine/story?id=71916842

2 more COVID-19 deaths announced in NH

https://www.wmur.com/article/2-more-covid-19-deaths-announced-in-nh/33397732

Health officials say they’re working to shift more testing in-state

https://www.wmur.com/article/health-officials-say-theyre-working-to-shift-more-testing-in-state/33396945

Education commissioner answers questions about school reopening plan

https://www.wmur.com/article/new-hampshire-education-commissioner-answers-questions-about-school-reopening-plan-july-22-2020/33391111

NH DHHS COVID-19 Update – July 22nd, 2020

On Wednesday, July 22, 2020, DHHS announced 36 new positive test results for COVID-19. There have now been 6,295 cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in New Hampshire. Several cases are still under investigation. Additional information from ongoing investigations will be incorporated into future COVID-19 updates. Of those with complete information, there are six individuals under the age of 18 and the rest are adults with 42% being female and 58% being male. The new cases reside in Hillsborough County other than Manchester and Nashua (6), Rockingham (6), Carroll (3), Strafford (3), Merrimack (2), and Belknap (1) counties, and in the cities of Manchester (8) and Nashua (7).