Public Health
Kansas City Schools Receive Cease-and-Desist Letter Over COVID Protocols
School districts across Missouri are divided as to whether they will comply with the letter or continue enforcing mask mandates and quarantine policies.
Omicron Seems Mild so Far but People Will Die From It, WHO Expert Warns
WHO COVID technical lead Maria Van Kerkhove has cautioned against referring to Omicron's symptoms as "mild" following some early data on its severity.
Omicron Not Wholly Evading Pfizer Vaccine Gives Scientists Cause for Hope
Some researchers expressed cautious optimism about a small study showing that the variant does not completely escape vaccine immunity.
New COVID Fears Are Reviving Governments' Worst Instincts
For a while there, it looked like we were on the COVID exit ramp. Now it seems we're likely to exhaust the Greek alphabet labeling variants.
Fact Check: Has Israel Announced a Fourth COVID Shot for All Citizens?
Scientists have stressed the importance of booster shots as the COVID vaccines become less effective over time.
Americans Aren't Getting Enough Booster Shots, Causing a Serious Problem
As COVID cases hit their highest level for two months, only a quarter of U.S. adults have had a booster shot.
Unvaccinated Illinoisans Would Pay COVID Hospital Bills Under New Proposals
State Rep. Jonathan Carroll, who proposed the bill, said those who turn down the COVID vaccine should take responsibility for the potential consequences.
What We Know About Omicron's Severity As Variant Spreads to Texas
Scientists are rushing to find out more about the new variant of concern, about which little is known.
Which States Have Omicron Variant As Four First Cases Reported in One Day
Laboratory work is ongoing to determine exactly how transmissible and vaccine-resistant the new variant of concern is.
Fauci Optimistic After Early Reports Suggest Omicron Lacks 'Severity'
He added that travel bans against several African nations—likened to apartheid by one U.N. leader—are being reconsidered.
Omicron Variant That May Evade Vaccines Found in These U.S. States
In just days, the Omicron variant has been identified in states across the country.
Avoid Omicron Two by Supporting Poorer Countries, Scientists Urge
The recommendation comes after it was suggested that COVID variants could be more likely to arise in immunocompromised populations.
Nine Omicron COVID Variant Cases Reported Across Five U.S. States
There may be many more U.S. cases of the variant of concern that have not been reported, with community transmission confirmed in some locations.
Omicron Variant May Have Spread From Animal to Human, Scientists Suggest
Scientists say it is plausible the variant of concern emerged from an animal host, but its origins are still unclear.
As First U.S. Omicron Case Reported, These States 50% Vaccinated or Fewer
Dr. Anthony Fauci urged people to get vaccinated and receive booster shots after the case was identified in California.
World AIDS Day 2021 Themes, History and Why It's Observed
The first five cases of what later became known as AIDS were reported 40 years ago.
What to Know About How the Omicron COVID Variant Was Discovered
The scientific community has praised the efforts of scientists from South Africa, Botswana and Hong Kong for their early detection of the variant of concern.
Virus Mutations Explained Amid the Rise of Omicron COVID Variant
Scientists initially flagged the variant as concerning because of the large number of mutations it has compared with other forms of COVID.
How Worried Americans Should Be About Omicron COVID Variant
Experts spoke to Newsweek about the new variant that has been classified as a variant of concern by the World Health Organization.
Why Omicron Might Be More Dangerous Than Other COVID Variants
Omicron became the fastest variant to go from discovery to being classified as variant of concern by the World Health Organization on Friday.
Omicron Variant Found in 13 Air Passengers From Two South Africa Flights
Of 61 travelers who arrived on two flights from South Africa and tested positive for COVID Friday, 13 of them had the Omicron variant.
What We Know About Nu B.1.1.529 COVID Variant Ahead of WHO Assessment
World Health Organization experts will convene on Friday to assess a new COVID variant that has worried scientists because of its mutations.
Worrying Nu COVID Variant May Have Emerged in Immunocompromised Person
Scientists are concerned about the variant which has a high number of mutations on the part of the virus that infects cells.
These Are Michigan's COVID Hotspots As State Suffers Country's Worst Surge
State governor Gretchen Whitmer has urged people to get vaccinated as Michigan battles a sharp rise in cases.
New COVID Variant, Which May Dodge Immunity, Found in These Countries
The new variant has a large number of mutations on the spike the virus uses to invade the body, prompting concern from scientists.
Mother Dies After Being Sent to Recovery Center Following Butt Lift Surgery
"Rachelle was 32. She had two small children and that's the last thing she said to me. 'Tell my boys I love them,'" the victim's friend told local media.
German Conservatives Call for Vaccine Mandates, Lockdowns of Unvaccinated
"It is politically no longer justifiable that entire industries…are faced with great existential fears, while others...take the freedom not to vaccinate," said one official.
What We Know About Delta Variant Offshoot That May Have Fewer Symptoms
The variant may spread faster than the original form of Delta, which is now the most dominant strain in the world.
Why Smallpox Is so Dangerous As Vials Found in Pennsylvania
The FBI and CDC are investigating after 15 vials labeled "smallpox" were discovered at a lab outside Philadelphia.
Minnesota's COVID Positivity Rate Hits Pre-Vaccine Levels Before Holidays
The commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Health said the state would move to expand booster shot eligibility with or without the federal government.