France:  5th wave is here, New Year's concerts and fireworks banned

“The fifth wave is here and it is here in full force,” Prime Minister Jean Castex told a news conference, adding that the fast-spreading omicron variant is expected to dominate infections in France at the start of January.

Arizona reports 3,686 additional COVID-19 cases, 143 deaths

The 3,686 additional cases and the additional deaths increased the state’s pandemic totals to 1,330,594 cases and 23,487 deaths, according to the Department of Health Services’ coronavirus dashboard.

Travel tips for the holidays
video

If you have plans to fly over the next two weeks, even the slightest hiccup -- weather delays, staffing shortages, or even the omicron variant -- could ruin your holiday plans. So what can you do to protect yourself? Omar Kaywan, co-founder of Goose Insurance, has some travel tips for the holidays.

Study: Omicron variant is 'markedly resistant' to vaccine, booster shot

According to the study, existing antibody therapies like monoclonal antibody cocktails are largely ineffective against omicron, along with natural antibodies from previous infections.

Arizona governor signs executive order banning COVID-19 vaccine mandates for government employees

The order will not allow the state, counties or cities to implement requirements for their workers. It does, however, allow health care institutions to require vaccinations for their employees.

Rural Arizona hospitals seek federal help for COVID staffing

The request form submitted to FEMA shows hospitals in Kingman, Bullhead City, Yuma, Douglas, Bisbee, Sierra Vista and Willcox are in need of nurses for COVID-19 care and emergency department support.

NFL updates protocols in response to increase in COVID-19 cases around league

In moves reminiscent of the environment for the 2020 season, the NFL has updated its protocols and advocated for booster shots in reaction to an increase in COVID-19 cases around the league.

Army: 98% of active duty got COVID-19 vaccine by mandatory deadline

The Army said 98% of its active-duty force has gotten at least one dose of the mandatory COVID-19 vaccine, as of this week's deadline.

Princeton moves exams online as colleges go back to drawing board to fight COVID

Colleges across the U.S. are starting to require booster shots, extend mask mandates and in some cases revert to online classes as they brace for the new omicron variant.

Surcharge for unvaccinated Pima County employees challenged

The Arizona Conference of Police and Sheriffs said in its lawsuit that unvaccinated county employees are confronting whether to continue shouldering the costs or get vaccinated, despite personal or medical concerns.

Phoenix approves bonuses of up to $2000 for vaccinated city workers

Back in November, Phoenix said more than 13,000 employees must be vaccinated or risk losing their jobs, but that decision was paused last week after a federal court ruling temporarily blocked it.

How to tell the difference between the common cold, flu and COVID-19

Is it COVID-19, the flu or the common cold? Jade Flinn, a nurse educator at Johns Hopkins Hospital’s biocontainment unit, outlines some of the key differences and similarities between the three illnesses.

Google memo lays out plan to fire employees who don't comply with vaccine mandate: report

Unvaccinated employees at Google may soon have to use the search engine to find job openings. A new company memo shows the company putting its workers on notice to comply with their vaccine policies or lose their jobs.

Omicron variant now makes up about 3% of US COVID-19 cases, CDC says

The CDC estimates that the new omicron variant of the coronavirus now makes up about 3% of COVID-19 cases reported nationwide.

California's statewide indoor mask mandate kicks off as virus cases rise

The mandate requires everyone in California to mask up indoors, regardless of vaccination status, from December 15 through January 15.