NYC announces new vaccine mandate for all private sector employers
Beginning Dec. 27, all private-sector employers in New York City must require that their employees be fully vaccinated for the coronavirus, announced Mayor Bill de Blasio.
NYC vaccine mandate includes children as young as 5
Children as young as 5 years old will be required to get vaccines in New York City to enter restaurants and other indoor venues.
International travelers now need negative COVID test day before flying to U.S.
All international travelers, regardless of citizenship or vaccination status, will be required to show a negative COVID-19 test taken the day before they fly.
Florida's request to block vaccine mandate for healthcare workers rejected
Sunday’s decision, however, did not mean the Biden administration can move forward with the healthcare worker vaccination requirement Monday.
Oxford scientist behind COVID-19 vaccine says next pandemic may be worse
Professor Sarah Gilbert, one of the scientists behind the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine, is warning that more money needs to be devoted to research and preparations.
Omicron variant may be less dangerous than delta, US health officials say
“Thus far, it does not look like there’s a great degree of severity to it,” Dr. Anthony Fauci said.
COVID outbreak at Marin school blamed on family who ignored positive test
A COVID outbreak at an elementary school in the North Bay stems from a student who went to school while infected with the novel coronavirus.
Fauci says early reports encouraging about omicron variant
U.S. health officials said Sunday that while the omicron variant of the coronavirus is rapidly spreading throughout the country, early indications suggest it may be less dangerous than delta, which continues to drive a surge of hospitalizations.
AdventHealth suspends COVID-19 vaccine mandate for employees
AdventHealth said that they have decided to suspend all vaccination requirements for employees. They still must report their vaccination status.
COVID-19 outbreak on cruise ship approaching New Orleans
Ten people aboard a Norwegian Cruise Line ship approaching New Orleans have tested positive for COVID-19, officials said Saturday night.
Omicron variant popping up in more states as hospitals keep up with COVID-19 spike
The arrival of omicron comes as hospitals statewide continue to strain under a surge in coronavirus cases, most traced to the delta variant, along with staffing shortages.
Belgian zoo's 2 hippos test positive for COVID-19
A Belgian zoo says that a pair of hippopotamuses in its care have been placed in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19.
First Georgia case of omicron variant identified, quarantined in New Jersey
A Georgia resident who is currently in New Jersey has tested positive for the omicron variant of COVID-19, the Georgia Department of Public Health announced late Friday.
Omicron COVID-19 variant detected in Nebraska, Utah
Much remains unknown about the omicron variant, including whether it is more contagious, as some health authorities suspect, whether it can thwart vaccines and whether it makes people as sick as the original strain.
First 3 cases of Omicron variant identified in Maryland, Gov. Hogan confirms
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced on Friday that state health officials have confirmed the first three cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant in the state.
Omicron variant: South Africa may offer glimpse into the future
The new omicron variant appears to be driving a dramatic surge in South Africa, providing the world a glimpse of where the pandemic might be headed.
Long-term COVID-19 smell, taste loss could impact millions, researchers say
As COVID-19 continues to spread, researchers say a significant number of people worldwide may face a long-term or even permanent loss of smell and taste as more become infected.
Israel health officials confirm 7 omicron COVID-19 cases, 27 others suspected
Israel's Health Ministry says it has confirmed seven cases of the new omicron variant of the coronavirus, stoking fears of a pending surge in infections.
FDA expands emergency use of 2 COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatments to infants
Monoclonal antibodies are proteins made in a lab which copy the human immune system’s ability to fight off harmful pathogens such as the novel coronavirus, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Philadelphia reports first case of COVID-19 omicron variant
A Northwest Philadelphia man in his 30s has tested positive for the COVID-19 omicron variant, according to the health department.