Coronavirus

A research group has been tracking reinfections in South Africa and reported a jump with the arrival of omicron that they hadn't seen when two previous variants, including the extra-contagious delta variant, moved through the country.

One day after confirming the county's first case of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, a rapid-testing site will open at Los Angeles International Airport Friday that will offer free -- but voluntary -- COVID tests for arriving international passengers.

The WHO says measures like higher vaccination rates, social-distancing guidelines and wearing masks should remain the foundation for fighting the pandemic.

At least five people in New York have been infected with the omicron variant of the coronavirus. Four of the cases are in New York City and one is in Suffolk County.

The first case of the omicron variant of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Health announced Thursday. The confirmation comes one day after the first U.S. cases of the omicron variant were detected in California.

The vaccine alliance that helps run COVAX warned in internal documents that a substantial number of doses might only show up in late 2022 or even 2023.

The omicron variant has been detected in at least 23 countries and at least three other states.

The request comes as the world rushes to learn more about the new and highly transmissible omicron variant first discovered by South Africa.

“Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate ensures that many Oklahoma National Guard members will simply quit instead of getting a vaccine, a situation that will irreparably harm Oklahomans’ safety and security,” said Attorney General John O’Connor.

The NFL has suspended Antonio Brown and Mike Edwards of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for violating the league's COVID-19 protocols after finding they misrepresented their vaccination status.

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis tweeted for the public to not “panic” and further stressed the need for Coloradans to get vaccinated or boosted as well as adhere to preventative health guidelines.

While all eyes are on the new and little-understood omicron variant, the delta form of the coronavirus isn’t finished wreaking havoc in the U.S., sending record numbers of patients to the hospital in some states, especially in the Midwest and New England.

The Health Ministry said the cases involved two men in southern Karnataka state, a 66-year-old man who had traveled to India from South Africa and a 46-year-old doctor.

All travelers to the U.S. must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within one day of boarding their flights, regardless of nationality or vaccination status, the White House said.

Biden is unveiling a winter plan to combat COVID-19 and its new omicron variant with more availability of shots and vaccines but without major new restrictions.

New York officials were urging anyone who attended the NYC Anime 2021 convention at the Javits Center to get tested for COVID after an attendee contracted the omicron variant last month.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said people who aren't vaccinated against COVID-19 will be excluded from nonessential stores, cultural and recreational venues.

In total, Meta deleted 979 accounts, groups and pages across its platforms last month, most of which were found to belong to a sprawling network from China trying to spread COVID-19 misinformation.