Novel coronavirus

WATCH: White House COVID task force bolsters vaccine booster messaging

By Mike Stobbe, Associated Press

Three new U.S. studies offer more evidence that the COVID-19 vaccines are standing up to the omicron variant, at least among people who have gotten booster shots. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released the studies Friday.

U.S. COVID testing is ‘haphazard.’ Here’s what experts recommend

By Laura Santhanam

The pandemic’s ever-shifting demands mean goals must be established now to build up the country’s testing capacity for the future.

Number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rises to 286,000

By Paul Wiseman, Associated Press

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose to the highest level in three months as the fast-spreading omicron variant disrupted the job market.

Beijing residents disappointed Olympics will be closed event

By Associated Press

With just over two weeks before the opening of the Beijing Winter Olympics, residents of the Chinese capital are disappointed at not being able to attend events because of coronavirus restrictions.

Website for free virus tests is here. How does it work?

By Zeke Miller, Darlene Superville, Associated Press

Under criticism after weeks of shortages, President Joe Biden's administration is working to make COVID-19 rapid test kits more available and accessible to Americans by boosting supply and lowering costs.

White House soft-launches free COVID testing kit website

By Zeke Miller, Associated Press

The Biden administration on Tuesday quietly launched its website for Americans to request free at-home COVID-19 tests, a day before the site was scheduled to officially launch.

U.S. faces a wave of omicron deaths in coming weeks, models predict

By Carla K. Johnson, Associated Press

The fast-moving omicron variant may cause less severe disease on average, yet COVID-19 deaths in the U.S. are climbing. Modelers forecast 50,000 to 300,000 more Americans could die by the time the omicron wave subsides this spring.

Novak Djokovic returns to Serbia after Australia bars entry, French Open may do the same

By Darko Bandic, Dusan Stojanovic, Associated Press

A plane carrying Djokovic touched down in his native Serbia on Monday. That closed at least the first chapter in a dizzying drama that has resonance in the world of elite sports, Australian pandemic politics and the polarized debate over…

Federal testing website launches next week, limited to 4 tests per home

By Zeke Miller, Associated Press

The announcement on Friday comes as the administration looks to address nationwide shortages, but supplies will be limited to just four free tests per home.

Garbage and recyclables pile up as omicron takes its toll on sanitation workers

By Travis Loller, Associated Press

The omicron variant is sickening so many sanitation workers around the U.S. that some cities have had to delay or suspend garbage and recycling pickup.