Omicron variant: World races to contain new 'highly transmissible' COVID-19 strain

The world is racing to contain a new coronavirus variant that is potentially more dangerous than the one that has fueled waves of infection on nearly every continent.

US, Canada, EU, Japan restrict South Africa travel over Omicron variant

Advisers to the World Health Organization held a special session Friday to flesh out information about the worrying new variant of the coronavirus that has been detected in South Africa.

Moderna testing 3 COVID-19 booster vaccines on omicron variant, Pfizer ready to adapt

Pfizer said if any coronavirus variant ever evades the protection offered by its COVID-19 vaccine, it expects to be able to produce a “tailor-made” adapted version of its vaccine to fight that variant in approximately 100 days, pending approval from federal regulators.

Will travel bans stop 'highly transmissible' omicron variant?

A coronavirus variant recently identified in South Africa is leading to a new round of travel restrictions just as many had finally begun to ease.

Omicron variant: What to know about the new COVID-19 strain

South African scientists identified a new version of the coronavirus this week that they say is behind a recent spike in COVID-19 infections in Gauteng, the country’s most populous province.

Omicron variant: WHO says new COVID-19 strain shows increased reinfection risk

The World Health Organization called a special session to flesh out information about a worrying new variant of the coronavirus that has been detected in South Africa.

1st MIS-C child death reported in Virginia; health condition is associated with COVID-19

The Virginia Department of Health has confirmed a death from Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) – a health condition that is associated with COVID-19.

FDA finds Merck COVID-19 pill effective, seeks outside experts on safety

U.S. health officials say Merck's experimental COVID-19 pill is effective but they raised questions about its safety during pregnancy.

Survey: Few Americans blame God for COVID-19 pandemic, other tragedies

A large majority of U.S. adults believe that most of the suffering in the world comes from people rather than from God, according to surveys from the Pew Research Center.

US mandating vaccines for all border crossers in January

President Joe Biden plans to require essential nonresident travelers crossing U.S. land borders, such as truck drivers and emergency response officials, to be fully vaccinated beginning on Jan. 22.

Dallas homicide detective recognized for saving attorney's life in court

Homicide detectives usually are there after a life has been lost. But what happened in the courtroom two months ago was just the opposite. A Dallas homicide detective was celebrated for helping save the life of a defense attorney who had a massive heart attack just as a murder trial was getting underway.

Proof of COVID-19 vaccine will be required for all US land border crossers

The rules pertain to non-U.S. nationals. American citizens and permanent residents may still enter the U.S. regardless of their vaccination status.

Jury finds CVS, Walgreens, Walmart responsible for role in opioid crisis

The counties blamed pharmacies operated by CVS, Walgreens and Walmart for not stopping the flood of pills that caused hundreds of overdose deaths and cost each of the two counties about $1 billion, their attorney said.

More US adults opting to never have children, Pew survey finds

The number of childless adults between 18 and 49 years of age who have chosen to not have children in the future has increased 7% since the Pew Research Center conducted the same survey in 2018.

Mask-wearing cuts new COVID-19 cases by 53%, global studies suggest

A team reviewed the results of several studies worldwide and said findings suggest that mask-wearing was found to reduce new COVID-19 cases by more than half.

COVID-19 boosters: CDC director OKs shots for all adults after FDA approval

The FDA has authorized Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 booster shots to all U.S. adults, ahead of approval from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.