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.

Omicron variant: WHO says new COVID-19 strain shows increased reinfection risk

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

OMICRON COVID-19 VARIANT: Here’s what we know about the new omicron COVID-19 variant in South Africa

South African scientists have 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. Here's what we know so far.

1st MIS-C child death reported in Virginia; health condition is associated with COVID-19

The Virginia Department of Health has confirmed a death from Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) – a health condition that is associated with COVID-19.

South African health minister calls travel restrictions 'knee-jerk reaction' to variant

Dr. Joe Phaahla, the Health Minister of South Africa took issue with countries who've enacted travel bans on South Africa after they identified a new COVID-19 variant.

FDA finds Merck COVID-19 pill effective, seeks outside experts on safety

U.S. health officials say Merck's experimental COVID-19 pill is effective but they raised questions about its safety during pregnancy.

US families struggle with how to conduct 2nd Thanksgiving amid COVID-19 pandemic

The second Thanksgiving of the COVID-19 pandemic comes as a resurgent virus has pushed new infections in the U.S. to 95,000 daily and caused alarming increases at hospitals in Michigan, Minnesota, Colorado and Arizona.

Child COVID-19 cases in US up 32% ahead of Thanksgiving, AAP reports

Between Nov. 11 and Nov. 18, nearly 142,000 child cases were added — an increase of about 32% from two weeks ago and making up 25.1 percent of all the cases reported that week, AAP reported.

WHO: Europe could see another 700K COVID-19 deaths by spring

WHO Europe called on people to get vaccinated and respect proper hygiene and practice social distancing to help stop the spread of the virus.

COVID-19 vaccine can be bundled with routine childhood vaccinations, AAP says

The COVID-19 pandemic caused many children to fall behind on their routine vaccine schedules, but the American Academy of Pediatrics is reassuring parents that in addition to those routine inoculations, it is safe for kids to add on the COVID-19 vaccine.

More than 2 dozen in Northern Virginia sickened by oysters after sewage spill

More than two dozen people in Northern Virginia were sickened after eating oysters that were tracked back to a brewery in Loudoun County and a winery in Fauquier County.

White House: 92% of federal workers vaccinated under mandate with no apparent disruptions

On Tuesday, one day after the deadline for compliance, 92% of the 3.5 million federal workers covered by Biden’s mandate reported to the government that they are at least partially vaccinated, according to White House officials.

COVID-19 boosters: Fauci says definition of ‘fully vaccinated’ could change

The definition of being fully vaccinated could change as boosters become more widely available to adults in the U.S. but that’s only if the data shows it is necessary, according to Dr. Anthony Fauci.