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HONOLULU It is estimated that one fourth of the worlds population may carry tuberculosis (TB) in its latent or inactive form; placing them at risk for TB disease later in life. No one knows for sure how many people in Hawaii have this infection, but the Hawaii Department of Health estimates the number could be as high as 70,000 to 100,000 residents. As part of the globally observed World Tuberculosis Day on March 24, the health department is urging Hawaii residents who are at risk to get tested for TB infection.

Approximately 10 percent of people who are infected with latent TB will go on to develop active TB disease and they could benefit from medication to prevent the development of this infectious and serious illness.

Although many people believe that TB is a disease of the past, it has remained a leading killer among infectious diseases worldwide for more than 135 years, according to Dr. Elizabeth MacNeill, Chief of the Department of Healths Tuberculosis Control Branch.

Hawaii residents are particularly vulnerable because of our close ties to areas of the world where TB is more common. Those who travel frequently and spend time in countries where TB occurs or who have close contact with a person with active TB disease are at the greatest risk of being exposed and infected by TB, MacNeill said. Areas of the world where TB is more common include Latin America, Asia, Eastern Europe, Africa and most of the Pacific Islands. Others who are at higher risk of developing active TB, once theyve been exposed, include those with weakened immune systems, diabetes and renal failure and children under five years of age.

In 2020, Hawaii had a total of only 94 cases of active TB; a significant drop from previous years. However, Hawaii has one of the highest number of cases in the US for our population size.

For anyone who is at risk or who may have been exposed to someone with active TB, the health department recommends asking your doctor about being tested for TB infection. Testing consists of a TB skin test or a newer blood test called Quantiferon Gold In-tube test. Anyone with a history of a positive TB skin test or blood test, should ask their doctor if preventive medication would be helpful. Testing for TB infection is recommended for adults and children at risk and covered under most health insurance plans. New medications are also available that offer a shorter course of treatment with fewer side effects.

What is TB?

TB is a disease that is commonly seen in the lungs and can be spread from person-to-person through the air. When a person with active TB disease in the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings, tiny drops containing M. tuberculosis may be spread into the air. If another person inhales these drops, there is a chance they may become infected with TB. Two forms of TB exist, both of which are treatable and curable:

World Tuberculosis Day

World Tuberculosis Day began in 1882, when Dr. Robert Koch announced the discovery of the bacteria that causes TB infection. This microbe, most often found in the lungs, can spread to other parts of the body and can be transmitted in the air by a person sick with the disease.

Although TB is infrequent in the US, it is still the leading cause of infectious disease deaths in the world, killing approximately 1.5 million people each year. Nearly one fourth of the world has the inactive form of TB infection and are at risk of developing active TB sometime in the future.

The Hawaii Department of Healths Tuberculosis Control Program is part of the Communicable Disease and Public Health Nursing Division. Its mission is to reduce the incidence of tuberculosis in the state by providing effective prevention, detection, treatment, and educational services. Examinations and treatment are available free of charge. For more information on tuberculosis or the programs services and activities, call (808) 832-5731 or visit health.hawaii.gov/tb.

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MEDIA CONTACTS:

Elizabeth MacNeill, MD, MPH

Acting Chief, Tuberculosis Control Branch

Phone: (808) 832-5707

E-mail: [emailprotected]

Website: health.hawaii.gov/tb

Janice OkuboCommunications OfficeEmail: [emailprotected]

(808) 586-4445

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DOH News Release: Hawai'i Department of Health urges residents to review their risk for TB as part of annual World Tuberculosis Day on March 24 -...

WASHINGTON (BLOOMBERG) - Former President Donald Trump, who has been banned from Twitter and other major social-media platforms, said he's working on his own platform to reach his followers that could be announced soon.

"I'm doing things having to do with putting our own platform out there that you'll be hearing about soon," Trump said in an interview for Fox News contributor Lisa Boothe's initial podcast The Truth released on Monday (March 22).

"I'll be telling you pretty soon."

Twitter, Trump's favourite social-media platform, permanently banned his personal account in January for breaking its rules against glorifying violence after he encouraged his supporters to march on the Capitol on Jan 6 in what became a deadly attempt to stop the counting of Electoral College votes for President Joe Biden. Facebook has suspended Trump's account pending a review by outside experts.

Trump boasted on Boothe's podcast that despite the bans, his press releases making statements and endorsing candidates are getting picked up by media outlets "much better than any tweet."

In an interview with Newsmax on Monday night, he called the press releases are "more elegant" and that they avoid the risk of a retweet from someone who might put "you in a little difficulty." Asked about starting his own platform, Trump said, "I have tremendous options."

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Trump says he's working to start his own social media platform - The Straits Times

Acquisition broadens dispensary footprint and provides grow permit in West Virginia to complete vertical operations; Starts growing plants in Holyoke, MA

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., March 22, 2021 /CNW/ - Trulieve Cannabis Corp. ("Trulieve" or the "Company") (CSE: TRUL) (OTCQX: TCNNF), a leading and top-performing cannabis company in the United States, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement pursuant to which Trulieve has agreed to acquire Mountaineer Holding LLC ("Mountaineer") and that it began planting at its Holyoke, Massachusetts cultivation and processing facility.

Mountaineer Transaction:

Holyoke, MA:

Kim Rivers, Trulieve CEO stated, "West Virginia just became a lot more interesting with the addition of a cultivation permit asset to our processor and dispensary application wins. Trulieve is known for our quality flower. Combining our expertise for growing high-quality medical cannabis with our passion for producing a premium product portfolio and providing broad access to a wide variety of medicine for patients will allow us to bring our full Trulieve brand experience to West Virginia."

Rivers continued, "We are pleased to have been given permission by the Cannabis Control Commission to start growing in our Tier 9 cultivation facility in Holyoke and are looking forward to bringing our high-quality flower and cannabis products to the Massachusetts community in 2021."

Proposed Transaction

Trulieve has agreed to acquire Mountaineer Holdings LLC for an upfront payment of $6 million, comprised of $3 million in cash and $3 million in Trulieve subordinate voting shares ("Trulieve Shares").Stock price is based on 10-day VWAP from the last trading day before signing. The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals and is expected to close during the second quarter of 2021. The Mountaineer Holdings LLC deal has been unanimously approved by the board of directors of Trulieve.

Advisors and Counsel

For Transaction: Fox Rothschild LLP is acting as legal counsel to Trulieve.

About Trulieve

Trulieve is primarily a vertically integrated "seed-to-sale" company in the U.S. and is the first and largest fully licensed medical cannabis company in the State of Florida. Trulieve cultivates and produces all of its products in-house and distributes those products to Trulieve-branded stores (dispensaries) throughout the State of Florida, as well as directly to patients via home delivery. Trulieve also has licensed operations in California, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Trulieve is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol TRUL and trades on the OTCQX Best Market under the symbol TCNNF. Learn more at: http://www.trulieve.com/

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release includes forward-looking information and statements, which may include, but are not limited to, information and statements regarding or inferring the future business, operations, financial performance, prospects, and other plans, intentions, expectations, estimates, and beliefs of the Company and statements with regard to the completion of the acquisitions, the issuance of Subordinate Voting Shares, and the expansion of the Company's operations. Words such as "expects", "continue", "will", "anticipates" and "intends" or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current projections and expectations about future events and financial trends that management believes might affect its financial condition, results of operations, business strategy and financial needs, and on certain assumptions and analysis made by the Company in light of the experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments and other factors management believes are appropriate. Forward-looking information and statements involve and are subject to assumptions and known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual events, results, performance, or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future events, results, performance, and achievements expressed or implied by forward-looking information and statements herein. Although the Company believes that any forward-looking information and statements herein are reasonable, in light of the use of assumptions and the significant risks and uncertainties inherent in such information and statements, there can be no assurance that any such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, and accordingly readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such risks and uncertainties and should not place undue reliance upon such forward-looking information and statements. Any forward-looking information and statements herein are made as of the date hereof, and except as required by applicable laws, the Company assumes no obligation and disclaims any intention to update or revise any forward-looking information and statements herein or to update the reasons that actual events or results could or do differ from those projected in any forward looking information and statements herein, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this news release.

SOURCE Trulieve Cannabis Corp.

For further information: INVESTOR CONTACT: Lynn Ricci, Director, Investor Relations & Corporate Communications, 850-480-7955, [emailprotected]; MEDIA CONTACT: Ryan Ferguson, InkHouse, 781-966-4100, [emailprotected]

https://www.trulieve.com/

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Trulieve's National Expansion Momentum Continues with Acquisition of Mountaineer Holding LLC in West Virginia and Massachusetts Cannabis Control...

Private hospitals are now leading the vaccinations programme in the country, and therefore, many people who could afford it may prefer the private sector. People should also be ready for such a scenario in which they may need to spend from their own pocket.

Maternal and child mortality and nutrition are also going to deteriorate. Even before the WHO declared COVID-19 a pandemic on March 11, 2020, the coverage for essential SRMNCH services for children and women were being affected. The observed and estimated disruption is expected to have substantial impact on women and childrens mortality.

The anticipated deaths in India would be greatest in South Asian countries with a 15 per cent increase, which is 154,020 in absolute terms. The number of stillbirths is also predicted to increase. Again, the largest increase in the number of stillbirths is expected in India, which is going to increase by 10 per cent, about 60,179 in number.

The highest number of maternal deaths is also anticipated for India which will increase by 18 per cent, about 7,750 in absolute numbers.

Due to the observed and expected reduction in coverage of modern contraceptive methods during the pandemic and its containment measures, more than 3.5 million additional unintended pregnancies are expected in the region, with the highest number in India, which would be around 3 million. The number of unsafe abortions is also expected to increase by more than 50 per cent, because healthcare facilities would not be available during the pandemic.

The report has tried to explain the COVID-19 challenge in 2021. The authors have made conservative estimates due to the continued gradual upsurge in India during the initial months of 2021, which has lately been rising sharply, since mid-February. It has also noted the deployment of vaccines which is not widely available for the people of the country.

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Next six months crucial for India in dealing with COVID-19 pandemic - National Herald

Harrisburg, PA Acting Secretary of Health Alison Beam today amended the existing Universal Face Coverings order, issued on November 17, 2020, to align with the Centers for Disease Control and Preventions (CDC) Recommendations for Fully Vaccinated People. The amended order went into effect at 12:01 a.m. on March 17, 2021 and will remain in effect until further notice.

The vaccines that are currently available across the state and country are highly effective at protecting vaccinated people against severe and symptomatic COVID-19, Acting Secretary Beam said. Research has shown that fully vaccinated people are less likely to have asymptomatic infection and potentially less likely to spread the virus that causes COVID-19 to others. However, there is still more to learn about how long protection lasts and how much vaccines protect against new variants of the virus, so some prevention measures will continue to be in place for all people, regardless of their vaccination status.

According to the CDC, there are several activities that fully vaccinated people can resume now, as low risk to themselves, while being mindful of the potential risk of transmitting the virus to others. Those activities include:

However, it is important that fully vaccinated people continue to take precautions in public like wearing a mask and practicing physical distancing; avoid medium- and large-sized in-person gatherings; get tested if they experience COVID-19 symptoms; follow guidance issued by employers; and follow travel requirements and recommendations.

Individuals who are fully vaccinated should also continue to wear a mask, practice physical distancing and follow other prevention measures when visiting unvaccinated people who are at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease or who have an unvaccinated household member who is at increased risk for severe COVID-19 disease and when visiting unvaccinated people from multiple households.

People are considered fully vaccinated for COVID-19 more than two weeks after they have received the second dose in a two-dose series or more than two weeks after they have received a single-dose vaccine. It is important to remember that the current mitigation Orders are still in effect and that physical distancing and capacity requirements for gatherings must still be followed.

While vaccine supply from the federal government remains limited, the Department of Health is working to ensure the vaccine is provided in a way that is ethical, equitable, and efficient. To keep Pennsylvanians informed about vaccination efforts:

The Wolf Administration stresses the role Pennsylvanians play in helping to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

Updated Coronavirus Links: Press Releases, State Lab Photos, Graphics

MEDIA CONTACT: Barry Ciccocioppo, ra-dhpressoffice@pa.gov

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Department of Health Amends Universal Face Coverings Order to Align with CDC Guidance - Pennsylvania Pressroom