Dec 31 Do at-home COVID-19 tests detect the omicron variant? By Carla K. Johnson, Associated Press U.S. health officials say early data suggests they may be less sensitive at picking it up. Continue reading
Dec 31 U.K. reports surge in COVID deaths, builds temporary wards By Danica Kirka, Associated Press While the figures are the highest in almost 10 months, they are still far below the peaks reported last January, when most people were unvaccinated. Continue reading
Dec 31 New Year’s Eve muted by omicron, many around the world hope for better 2022 By Nick Perry, Associated Press In many places around the world, plans for New Year's Eve celebrations are muted or canceled for the second straight year due to a surge of coronavirus infections, this time driven by the highly contagious omicron variant. Continue reading
Dec 27 Australia’s most populous state reports first omicron death By Associated Press Australia’s New South Wales state has reported more than 6,000 new COVID-19 cases and confirmed its first death from the omicron variant. Continue reading
Dec 26 France sees over 100,000 daily virus infections for 1st time By Angela Charlton, Associated Press More than 1 in 100 people in the Paris region have tested positive in the past week, according to the regional health service. Most new infections are linked to the omicron variant, which government experts predict will be dominant in… Continue reading
Dec 23 WATCH: White House press secretary Jen Psaki holds a news briefing on omicron testing By Associated Press On Thursday, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Biden's administration had done enough to ensure Americans gathering with family members this season were able to do so safely. Continue reading
Dec 22 Supreme Court to hold special session on vaccine requirements By Jessica Gresko, Associated Press The Supreme Court says it will hold a special session in just over two weeks to hear arguments on the Biden administration's vaccine or testing requirement for large employers and a separate vaccine requirement for health care workers. Continue reading
Dec 22 Pfizer pill becomes first home COVID-19 treatment authorized in the U.S. By Matthew Perrone, Associated Press The long-awaited milestone comes as U.S. cases, hospitalizations and deaths are all rising and health officials warn of a tsunami of new infections from the omicron variant that could overwhelm hospitals. Continue reading
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