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 29 WATCH: As new variant spreads, Biden promotes shots and not restrictions By Zeke Miller, Associated Press President Joe Biden is urging Americans to get vaccinated, including booster shots, as he seeks to quell concerns over the newly identified COVID-19 variant named omicron. Continue reading
Nov 28 WHO criticizes travel bans on southern African countries By Andrew Meldrum, Associated Press The World Health Organization on Sunday urged countries around the world not to impose flight bans on southern African nations due to concerns over the new omicron variant. WHO’s regional director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, called on countries to follow… 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 27 South African scientists brace for wave propelled by omicron By Andrew Meldrum, Associated Press In the space of two weeks, the omicron variant has sent South Africa from a period of low transmission to rapid growth of new confirmed cases. The country’s numbers are still relatively low, with 2,828 new confirmed cases recorded Friday,… 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 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