DC, Maryland, Virginia leaders reacting to looming omicron threat

Health departments in the District, Maryland and Virginia are actively testing positive samples in anticipation of the arrival of the omicron variant of COVID-19.

Restaurants charging added fees in attempt to rebound from COVID-19 pandemic

Restaurants in the DMV and across the country are still trying to recover from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and some are adding an extra fee onto customers' bills to try and make up for it.

Omicron variant: CDC expands COVID-19 booster recommendation to all adults 18 and older

"Everyone ages 18 and older should get a booster shot either when they are 6 months after their initial Pfizer or Moderna series or 2 months after their initial J&J vaccine," the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said.

WHO says omicron variant poses 'very high risk'

The U.N. health agency, in a technical paper issued to member states, said "considerable uncertainties” remain about the variant that was first detected days ago in southern Africa.

Biden COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers blocked in 10 states

A federal judge has blocked President Joe Biden's administration from enforcing a coronavirus vaccine mandate on health care workers in 10 states.

Virginia to test sewage to help predict COVID-19 outbreaks

The Virginia Department of Health will be monitoring sewage in various parts of the state in an effort to predict future outbreaks of COVID-19.

Omicron shows need for global accord on pandemics, WHO chief says

The WHO is pushing for an international accord to help prevent future pandemics amid the emergence of the new omicron COVID-19 variant.

Merriam-Webster declares 'vaccine' as 2021 word of the year

Merriam-Webster has declared an omnipresent truth as its 2021 word of the year: vaccine. Last year, it chose “pandemic.”

Canada is latest country to confirm cases of omicron variant

Canada is among several countries Sunday to report omicron cases. Canada said its two known cases are linked to travel from Nigeria.

South African doctor says omicron variant symptoms ‘unusual but mild’

Dr. Angelique Coetzee, a board member of the South African Medical Association, said the COVID-19 omicron variant reported that it presents "unusual but mild" symptoms.

Fauci says omicron variant could be ‘red flag,’ urges COVID-19 boosters for all

“I keep saying it over and over, the next couple of months are going to be up to us. I mean, we, right now, have a tool, a very effective tool,” Dr. Anthony Fauci said, urging vaccination amid news of the worrying new omicron variant.

Omicron variant: World races to contain new 'highly transmissible' COVID-19 strain

The world is racing to contain a new coronavirus variant that is potentially more dangerous than the one that has fueled waves of infection on nearly every continent.

US, Canada, EU, Japan restrict South Africa travel over Omicron variant

Advisers to the World Health Organization held a special session Friday to flesh out information about the worrying new variant of the coronavirus that has been detected in South Africa.

DC hotel gives back to first responders on Thanksgiving

For the twenty-second year, a five-star hotel in Washington, D.C. gave to those who keep the District safe.

Moderna testing 3 COVID-19 booster vaccines on omicron variant, Pfizer ready to adapt

Pfizer said if any coronavirus variant ever evades the protection offered by its COVID-19 vaccine, it expects to be able to produce a “tailor-made” adapted version of its vaccine to fight that variant in approximately 100 days, pending approval from federal regulators.

Will travel bans stop 'highly transmissible' omicron variant?

A coronavirus variant recently identified in South Africa is leading to a new round of travel restrictions just as many had finally begun to ease.

New COVID-19 variant is ‘huge international concern,’ UK health secretary says

The U.K.’s health secretary told Parliament Friday that the new COVID-19 variant was “of huge international concern” and that it was “highly likely” that it has spread to countries beyond where it has been detected.