Mask mandate for Pennsylvania K-12 schools remains for now, justices rule
Pennsylvania's high court says that for now, an order requiring masks inside Pennsylvania’s K-12 schools and child care facilities will remain in place.
US improves surveillance for tracking new coronavirus variants
Viruses mutate constantly. To find and track new versions of the coronavirus, scientists analyze the genetic makeup of a portion of samples that test positive.
Wolf says urging vaccine shots is his containment strategy
Gov. Tom Wolf is urging people to get vaccinated and suggests he isn't considering additional containment measures as the omicron variant of the coronavirus spreads overseas.
COVID-19 vaccine makers exploring if omicron versions of shots are needed
Officials from Moderna and Pfizer are assessing their responses to the new COVID-19 variant omicron and say it will take months to develop a tweaked shot if needed.
Health officials work to understand and contain omicron variant
Health officials across the globe are monitoring the spread of the omicron variant. They say it could cause a worldwide surge in new COVID cases.
Health officials work to understand and contain omicron variant
As health officials work to understand omicron, they issue health advise
Federal Reserve: Omicron variant could make supply chain backlog, inflation worse
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell says that the appearance of a new COVID-19 variant could slow the economy and hiring.
Omicron variant: CDC expands COVID-19 booster recommendation to all adults 18 and older
"Everyone ages 18 and older should get a booster shot either when they are 6 months after their initial Pfizer or Moderna series or 2 months after their initial J&J vaccine," the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.
Holiday pandemic travel: TSA screens nearly 2.5M people on Sunday alone
Nearly 2.5 million people were screened by TSA agents on Sunday alone, setting a new record for holiday travel during the pandemic.
WHO says omicron variant poses 'very high risk'
The U.N. health agency, in a technical paper issued to member states, said "considerable uncertainties” remain about the variant that was first detected days ago in southern Africa.
No cases of omicron variant identified in Philadelphia as health officials monitor situation
Philadelphia health officials say they have not identified any cases of the COVID-19 omicron variant in the city at this time.
No omicron variant cases detected in NYC yet, mayor says
There were no confirmed cases of the new omicron variant of the coronavirus detected in New York City as of Monday, according to Mayor Bill de Blasio.
Biden: Omicron variant ‘cause for concern’ but not panic, pushes COVID-19 shots
President Joe Biden urged Americans to get vaccinated against COVID-19 and to receive a booster shot amid the new omicron variant.
Omicron shows need for global accord on pandemics, WHO chief says
The WHO is pushing for an international accord to help prevent future pandemics amid the emergence of the new omicron COVID-19 variant.
WHO disagrees with flight bans over omicron variant
WHO's regional director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, called on countries to follow science and international health regulations in order to avoid using travel restrictions.
Canada is latest country to confirm cases of omicron variant
Canada is among several countries Sunday to report omicron cases. Canada said its two known cases are linked to travel from Nigeria.
Young COVID-19 ‘long haulers’ promote vaccine in new ad campaign
“I have a lot of debilitating nausea, dizziness and a racing heart. I can't comprehend words at times,” 26-year old Isiah said in one video after getting COVID-19 in October 2020.
South African doctor says omicron variant symptoms ‘unusual but mild’
Dr. Angelique Coetzee, a board member of the South African Medical Association, said the COVID-19 omicron variant reported that it presents "unusual but mild" symptoms.
White House blames pandemic for soaring inflation, Biden's low polling
Inflation is soaring, businesses are struggling to hire and President Joe Biden’s poll numbers have been in free fall. The White House sees a common culprit: COVID-19.
Omicron variant emerges in more countries as world on high alert
In the U.S., Dr. Anthony Fauci, the government’s top infectious diseases expert, said he would not be surprised if the omicron variant was already in the United States, too.