Dec 22 WATCH: White House COVID task force holds news briefing amid rapidly spreading omicron variant By Associated Press At the White House on Dec. 22, Biden detailed major changes to his COVID-19 winter plan, his hand forced by the fast-spreading variant, whose properties are not yet fully understood by scientists. Continue reading
Dec 22 2021 likely to eclipse last year as nation's deadliest, CDC says By Mike Stobbe, Associated Press It's too early to say for sure, but based on available information, it seems likely 2021 will surpass last year's record number of deaths by at least 15,000, according to the CDC. Continue reading
Dec 22 South Africa's decline in new COVID-19 cases may indicate omicron peak has passed By Andrew Meldrum, Associated Press Although the early findings are not conclusive, especially because daily figures are prone to fluctuations, the signs that South Africa’s intense wave is weakening are notable. Continue reading
Dec 22 COVID helped cause the biggest drop in U.S. life expectancy since WWII By Laura Santhanam Changes in U.S. life expectancy normally move at a more glacial pace – at incremental tenths of a year. But the coronavirus pandemic has upset that steady trend. Continue reading
Dec 21 Watch 3:36 Biden vows to ramp up testing, boost other health systems in response to omicron wave By Yamiche Alcindor, Shoshana Dubnow President Joe Biden is out with new plans and new appeals to control the spread of COVID-19. He spelled them out Tuesday as the new omicron variant sweeps largely unchecked across the country. White House correspondent Yamiche Alcindor reports. Continue watching
Dec 21 Watch 8:10 Dr. Walensky on the omicron variant, testing, vaccines and mask rules President Joe Biden is out with new plans and new appeals to control the spread of COVID-19. He spelled them out Tuesday as the new omicron variant sweeps largely unchecked across the country. Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers… Continue watching
Dec 21 Watch 7:04 Virus resurgence in Europe triggers new restrictions amid vocal opposition By Trent Murray Governments across Europe are scrambling to slow the spread of omicron. In the Netherlands, a full lockdown has been ordered. In neighboring Germany, citizens are being told to cancel big New Years Eve parties. But authorities are often being met… Continue watching
Dec 21 Watch 4:03 'This chair gives me my life back' : Disabled passengers beg airlines to handle with care By Karina Cuevas Millions of Americans are traveling this week for the holidays. But for passengers with disabilities, the challenges of air travel can be significantly heightened. People continue to report embarrassing security pat downs, damaged and even lost mobility devices. In July… Continue watching
Dec 21 NYC mayor vows 'No more shutdowns' as city faces virus spike By Michelle L. Price, Associated Press New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said he's committed to keeping the city open as it grapples with yet another spike in coronavirus cases. Continue reading
Dec 21 U.S. population growth drops to lowest rate since nation's founding in pandemic's first year By Mike Schneider, Associated Press This past year was the first time since 1937 that the nation’s population grew by less than 1 million people. Continue reading