Novel coronavirus

Can you safely enjoy the holidays? Experts offer COVID tips

By Carla K. Johnson, Associated Press

The delta and omicron variants of the coronavirus are trying to spoil the holiday spirit, but there still are ways to enjoy the festivities.

NHL shuts down 2 more teams for a week amid COVID surge

By Stephen Whyno, Associated Press

The NHL has postponed all games for the Colorado Avalanche and Florida Panthers through at least the Christmas weekend amid worsening COVID-19 test results across the league.

NFL moves 3 games due to COVID outbreaks

By Barry Wilner, Associated Press

The NFL has moved three games because of COVID-19 outbreaks: Las Vegas at Cleveland from Saturday to Monday; and Seattle at the Los Angeles Rams and Washington at Philadelphia from Sunday to Tuesday.

Harvard drops standardized test requirement through 2026

By Collin Binkley, Associated Press

Harvard announced the move Thursday amid concerns about students' access to testing sites during the pandemic. It extends a policy many colleges have adopted during the pandemic and that a growing number are keeping for years to come.

CDC panel recommends Pfizer, Moderna vaccines over Johnson & Johnson shot due to blood clot risk

By Lauran Neergaard, Mike Stobbe, Associated Press

Thursday's recommendation came after government advisers reviewed new safety data about rare but potentially life-threatening blood clots linked to J&J's shot.

WATCH: CDC panel examines J&J COVID-19 vaccine blood clot data, safety data for kids age 5-11

By Lauran Neergaard, Mike Stobbe, Associated Press

A government advisory panel is meeting Thursday to determine if any restrictions are needed for the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine because of rare but serious blood clots.

WATCH: White House COVID task force holds news briefing

By Associated Press

U.S. health care spending rocketed to $4.1 trillion last year as Congress opened the spigot of federal dollars to battle the coronavirus pandemic across multiple fronts.

Omicron expected be dominant variant in EU by mid-January

By Samuel Petrequin, Associated Press

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU is well prepared to fight omicron with 66.6 percent of its population fully vaccinated.

New York’s ethics board tells former Gov. Cuomo to return money paid for pandemic book

By Associated Press

Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo was ordered by New York's ethics commission Tuesday to give up the millions he was paid to write a book about his response to the pandemic.

WATCH: Members of Congress hold moment of silence for COVID victims

By Associated Press

The milestone represents a solemn end to a year that held so much promise with the arrival of vaccines but is ending in heartbreak for the many grieving families trying to navigate the holiday season.