COVID-19 updates: Fake vaccine cards, why rapid COVID tests aren’t more accurate

By OPB staff (OPB)
Jan. 24, 2022 2:39 p.m. Updated: Jan. 24, 2022 2:52 p.m.
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The COVID-19 virus.

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Showing or selling a fake COVID vaccine card could become a crime in Washington

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A proposal in the Washington Legislature would make it a crime to use or sell a fake COVID-19 vaccination card. The sponsor says he wants to deter people from even considering the ruse, but he also wants to send a signal to prosecutors to prioritize these cases as a matter of protecting public health. The proposal, which has five other Senate Democratic co-sponsors, would also make it a class C felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine to sell or transfer false COVID-19 vaccine cards.

Read the full story: Showing or selling a fake COVID vaccine card could become a crime in Washington

Why rapid COVID tests aren’t more accurate

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How much should you trust the results of a rapid antigen test? That’s a question many people are asking these days, amid recent research and anecdotes suggesting these tests may be less sensitive to omicron. Researchers are working fast to figure out what’s going on and how to improve the tests.

Read the full story: Why rapid COVID tests aren’t more accurate

Some Portland schools return to in-person learning

Six schools in the Portland Public Schools district are returning to in-person learning on Monday morning. That includes the four high schools that had transitioned to remote learning for COVID-19 related reasons.

The district is extending distance learning for three middle schools: George, Kellogg and Tubman.

Check the Portland Public Schools school closure tracker

Student and staff absences have played a key role in closing schools. Over the last week, absence rates for students and staff have been high, but seem to be decreasing.

Read the full story: Portland weighs options for schools as student, staff absences appear to wane

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