A large study published in JAMA looked at the two different ways children can become seriously ill from the virus.

Slightly more than half of the more than 1,000 patients studied had acute COVID-19, while the rest had multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C).

Those with the inflammatory syndrome were more likely to be between the ages of 6 and 12.

More than 80% of those with acute COVID-19 fell outside that age range.

It appears both conditions are more common in Black and Hispanic children, reflecting the ways the virus has disproportionately affected these communities.

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Here are more of today’s headlines:

New variant reportedly spreading in NYC
Another new COVID variant has been identified and this one is circulating in the NYC area, two studies have found.

It is not yet known if the variant is more contagious, deadly, or if it impacts the vaccine, but more will be learned as scientists continue to study it.

NYC middle school students return to in-person learning Thursday
About half of the schools will reopen with five-day-a-week instruction, while the others will have a hybrid model. The chancellor said parents should feel confident that they are doing everything they can to keep the infection rate low in the schools. Some 62,000 middle schoolers have opted-in to in-person learning.

4 dogs need loving home after owners die of COVID-19

There is an urgent search to help find a new home for four dogs on Long Island after their owners died from COVID-19.

The Nassau County SPCA hopes to keep Oliver, Winston, Isabelle and Izzy all together.

Met Opera singer who last performed in ‘Porgy and Bess’ dies from COVID
The Metropolitan Opera announced another one of its members has died from the coronavirus.

Singer Antoine Hodge had an extended struggle with the virus. He had performed in the Met’s blockbuster “Porgy and Bess” during the 2019-2020 season

Queens lawyer jumps into pet grooming business amid COVID court shutdown
A Queens criminal defense attorney has launched himself into the pet grooming business after his law practice was forced to shut down in March due to the coronavirus.

“It went from busy attorney to almost doing nothing,” said Gerard Marrone, a father of three. “I had no way to make a living at all.”

Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine works well in big ‘real world’ test in Israel
A real-world test of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine in more than half a million people confirms that it’s very effective at preventing serious illness or death, even after one dose.

Wednesday’s published results, from a mass vaccination campaign in Israel, give strong reassurance that the benefits seen in smaller, limited testing persisted when the vaccine was used much more widely in a general population with various ages and health conditions.

Fauci: NIH to study ‘long-haul’ COVID-19 symptoms, like brain fog, breathing problems
The National Institutes of Health is launching research to understand the causes and consequences of the lingering brain fog, breathing problems and malaise reported by many recovering COVID-19 patients.

Dr. Anthony Fauci says some studies have shown up to 30% of patients report symptoms that can endure for months, complicating their return to normal routines and work, and plunging many recovering patients into depression.

NJ long-term care facilities visitation update
Long-term care facilities in seven New Jersey counties could resume indoor visitations if they meet certain requirements, Health Commissioner Judith Persichilli said Wednesday. Persichilli said facilities in Hunterdon, Mercer, Somerset, Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and Salem counties were notified on Tuesday.

“Indoor visitation can only occur in facilities where the facility has sufficient staff, a mechanism for appointments and sufficient PPE, and cleaning and disinfection supplies to permit safe visitation,” Persichilli said.

Johnson & Johnson data moves process forward

Johnson & Johnson’s single-dose vaccine protects against COVID-19, according to an analysis by U.S. regulators Wednesday that sets the stage for a final decision on a new and easier-to-use shot to help tame the pandemic. The Food and Drug Administration’s scientists confirmed that overall the vaccine is about 66% effective at preventing moderate to severe COVID-19. The agency also said J&J’s shot – one that could help speed vaccinations by requiring just one dose instead of two – is safe to use.

105-year-old survives COVID, offers advice to long life
A woman in Ocean County who tested positive for COVID-19 on her 105th birthday last month has recovered and now has some words of advice. Lucia DeClerck said Tuesday she’s feeling wonderful. She has now lived through two World Wars and two pandemics, and at 105 years old, she is even getting the hang of Zoom.

Top 7 COVID vaccine questions answered
You had questions about COVID-19 vaccines and 7 On Your Side is getting you answers from doctors on the front line of the pandemic.

Positive COVID-19 cases by zip code – New York City

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