Nov 30 Omicron variant may have reached Europe earlier than suspected By Raf Casert, Andrew Meldrum, Associated Press Much remains unknown about the new variant, including how contagious it might be, but a WHO official said Tuesday that there could soon be a steep rise in infections in parts of southern Africa. Continue reading
Nov 29 States, cities running out of rental assistance funds By Michael Casey, Associated Press The Treasury Department says several states and cities have exhausted their federal rental assistance in a sign that spending on a program aimed at averting evictions has picked up speed. Continue reading
Nov 29 CDC recommends COVID boosters for all adults as omicron variant spreads By Jamey Keaten, Raf Casert, Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, reacted to the potential threat by urging everyone 18 and older to get booster shots, because “strong immunity will likely prevent serious illness."… Continue reading
Nov 29 Nations rush to contain COVID omicron variant By Raf Cassert, Mari Yamaguchi, Associated Press Nations around the world sought to keep the new omicron variant at bay with travel bans and further restrictions, even as it remains unclear what it means for the COVID-19 pandemic. Continue reading
Nov 28 EXPLAINER: What we know and don't know on new COVID variant By Maria Cheng, Associated Press It’s unclear where the new variant first emerged, but scientists in South Africa alerted the World Health Organization in recent days, and it has now been seen in travelers arriving in several countries, from Australia to Israel to the Netherlands. Continue reading
Nov 26 Watch 9:42 Alarm grows after emergence of new omicron COVID-19 variant. Here's what you need to know A newly emerged variant of the coronavirus known as “omicron” is causing widespread concern. First discovered in South Africa, it's now been detected in multiple nations, including Europe and Israel. Many nations including the U.S. are considering travel bans to… Continue watching
Nov 26 Watch 12:14 Brooks and Capehart on new COVID-19 variant, inflation, Ahmaud Arbery verdict New York Times columnist David Brooks and Washington Post columnist Jonathan Capehart join William Brangham to discuss the week in politics, including the new COVID- 19 variant, inflation, President Biden's leadership decisions at the Federal Reserve and the verdict in… Continue watching
Nov 26 World races to contain new COVID threat, the omicron variant By Raf Casert, Calvin Woodward, Associated Press Nearly two years into the pandemic, the world is suddenly racing to contain a new coronavirus variant potentially more dangerous than the one that has fueled relentless waves of infection on every continent. Continue reading
Nov 26 New variant hits sports just as they were nearing normality By Gerald Imray, Associated Press Golf, cricket and rugby became the first major sports to be affected by the new COVID-19 variant on Friday, prompting fears of renewed travel restrictions and disrupted events just as they were returning to normal nearly two years into the… Continue reading
Nov 26 AP explains: What we know so far about the new COVID variant in South Africa By Maria Cheng, Associated Press 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. Continue reading