Omicron forces wave of closures nationwide as Biden warns winter of 'death' encroaching
As the omicron variant of the coronavirus is poised to become the new leading variant in the United States, many schools and businesses are closing their doors over what President Biden is predicting to be a winter of "severe illness and death."
Netherlands lockdown: Omicron spread prompts closures for nearly 1 month
The Netherlands lockdown began Sunday, with all non-essential stores, bars and restaurants closing until Jan. 14.
Omicron variant detected in 89 countries; WHO says cases rapidly doubling
WHO said on Saturday that omicron’s “substantial growth advantage” over the delta variant means it's likely to soon overtake delta as the dominant variant.
Vaccine mandate: OSHA will begin issuing citations after Jan. 10
The announcement came after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth District in Cincinnati decided that President Biden's vaccine mandate for large employers could go forward.
NY single-day record for COVID cases
21,027 New Yorkers have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, the highest number since January 14.
Radio City Rockettes cancel season due to COVID outbreak
The Radio City Rockettes are canceling their entire 2021 season due to COVID-19 cases.
Omicron more likely to reinfect than delta, no milder: study
The risk of reinfection with the omicron coronavirus variant is more than five times higher, and it has shown no sign of being milder than delta, a study showed, as cases soar across Europe and threaten year-end festivities.
Heart inflammation cases emerge among 5- to 11-year-old kids after COVID-19 shot: CDC
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Thursday it received reports of eight cases of a heart inflammation called myocarditis in children ages 5 to 11 who had been vaccinated against COVID-19 with Pfizer-BioNTech.
COVID-19 attacks fat tissue, may increase risk of severe disease, study finds
A recent study found how COVID-19 can elicit a harmful inflammatory response in patients with obesity by storing in fat tissue cells.
21 heartwarming, feel-good things that happened in 2021
From small acts of kindness to awe-inspiring events, there were a lot of feel-good moments in 2021.
Southwest CEO tests positive for COVID-19 after Senate testimony
Several major airline executives sat next to one another in the hearing, and did not wear masks during testimony
France: 5th wave is here, New Year's concerts and fireworks banned
“The fifth wave is here and it is here in full force,” Prime Minister Jean Castex told a news conference, adding that the fast-spreading omicron variant is expected to dominate infections in France at the start of January.
NFL updates protocols in response to increase in COVID-19 cases around league
In moves reminiscent of the environment for the 2020 season, the NFL has updated its protocols and advocated for booster shots in reaction to an increase in COVID-19 cases around the league.
Orange County Mayor Demings warns of increase in Omicron COVID-19 variant, urges vaccinations
Omicron COVID-19 variant concerns prompted Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings to provide the first coronavirus update in a month. While the variant has been detected in wastewater, no patients with Omicron have been reported.
Omicron surge: Medical surveillance can't keep up with rate variant is spreading
Medical experts say the omicron coronavirus variant is spreading so fast, surveillance attempts can’t keep up.
Doctor who caught omicron at super spreader event says pandemic isn't just due to the unvaccinated
Debra says the blame for the ongoing pandemic should be placed on more than the unvaccinated, saying masks and other precautions need to continue to be used.
State releases all funds withheld from districts over mask mandates
The dispute between the state of Florida and several school systems over COVID-19 mask mandates appears to have finally ended, and the state has released all of the funds it withheld.
How to tell the difference between the common cold, flu and COVID-19
Is it COVID-19, the flu or the common cold? Jade Flinn, a nurse educator at Johns Hopkins Hospital’s biocontainment unit, outlines some of the key differences and similarities between the three illnesses.
Google memo lays out plan to fire employees who don't comply with vaccine mandate: report
Unvaccinated employees at Google may soon have to use the search engine to find job openings. A new company memo shows the company putting its workers on notice to comply with their vaccine policies or lose their jobs.
Omicron variant now makes up about 3% of US COVID-19 cases, CDC says
The CDC estimates that the new omicron variant of the coronavirus now makes up about 3% of COVID-19 cases reported nationwide.