US COVID-19 death toll hits 900,000, sped by omicron
Propelled in part by the wildly contagious omicron variant, the U.S. death toll from COVID-19 hit 900,000 on Friday, less than two months after eclipsing 800,000.
US job growth soars past expectations with 467,000 added, shaking off omicron surge
U.S. job growth blew past expectations in January, as the economy brushed off a record-breaking surge in COVID-19 cases nationwide that threatened to sideline millions of workers and kept many consumers at home.
Shaq rips COVID vaccine mandates: 'You shouldn’t be forced to take something you don’t want'
"But it’s just, people don’t want to take it, and you shouldn’t be forced to take something you don’t want," Shaquille O'Neal said of the NBA's mandated COVID-19 vaccination policies.
Spain to drop masks outdoors as omicron surge decelerates
Spain will end a mandate to wear masks outdoors next week, reversing a late December order against an unprecedented surge of coronavirus infections fueled by a highly contagious mutation, Health Minister Carolina Darias said.
CVS removes COVID-19 test purchasing limits
CVS, Amazon and Walgreens previously placed purchasing limits on tests
Mayor Garcetti says he holds his breath when taking photos maskless at Rams NFC Championship game
“I wore my mask the entire game and when people ask for a photograph I hold my breath and put it [mask] here and people can see it. There’s a 0% chance of infection from that,” Garcetti said.
Johns Hopkins study shows lockdowns only reduced COVID-19 death rate by .2%
Lockdowns during the first COVID-19 wave in the spring of 2020 only reduced COVID-19 mortality by .2% in the U.S. and Europe, according to a Johns Hopkins University meta-analysis of several studies.
COVID-19 vaccines: will we need more boosters or a new shot?
COVID-19 vaccines have saved an unknown number of lives but will it be necessary for us to get boosters every few months? What about a new formula or a new shot entirely? This is the next debate on COVID-19 vaccines.
Free COVID-19 tests: At-home kits expected to arrive this week
If you belong to one of the 66 million U.S households that ordered the free COVID-19 at-home tests from the federal government, you might see them arrive in your mailbox soon.
Omicron variant raises concerns about long-term COVID-19
Omicron's race across the globe has amped up concerns about long COVID, which some estimates suggest affects a third of COVID-19 survivors.
2022 Winter Olympics: US bobsledder tests positive for COVID-19
U.S. Olympic bobsledder Josh Williamson has tested positive for COVID-19 and won't fly with his teammates to China, though he remains hopeful of getting there in time for the Beijing Games.
Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau tests positive for COVID-19
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tested positive for COVID-19 but said he's feeling fine and will continue working remotely.
North Carolina man would rather 'die free' than get COVID vaccine needed for life-saving transplant
A man in need of a life-saving kidney transplant says his hospital refuses to do the surgery because he is unvaccinated against COVID-19. But Chad Carswell says he is willing to "die free" rather than comply with their mandate.
NYC offering free home delivery of COVID antiviral pills
New Yorkers who have tested positive for COVID-19 can contact their doctor to request a delivery of the antiviral pill or can call 212-COVID19.
USPS worker helps save woman’s life after seeing mail pileup
U.S. Postal Service employee Kayla Berridge noticed her customer’s mail was piling up. Officers later found the elderly woman trapped inside her home for at least three days.
Companies allow people to opt-out of Valentine’s Day emails
As interest in celebrating Valentine’s Day gradually declines, companies are giving consumers a chance to opt-out of those marketing emails that seem to bombard your inbox any time a holiday approaches.
New COVID variant BA.2: What's known about 'stealth' omicron?
The new coronavirus variant, which scientists call BA.2, is widely considered stealthier than the original version of omicron because particular genetic traits make it somewhat harder to detect.
CDC adds 15 more destinations to ‘high risk’ travel list
According to the CDC, 15 new destinations were cited Monday as a level four — meaning “very high risk” — for Americans.
Denmark ends most virus restrictions, ready to 'welcome the life we knew before'
Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said that while the omicron variant is surging in Denmark, it is not placing a heavy burden on the health system and the country has a high vaccination rate. "As of Feb. 1, Denmark will be open."
Hospital patient who refused COVID-19 vaccine denied heart transplant
A Boston hospital is defending itself after a man’s family claimed he was denied a new heart for refusing to be vaccinated against COVID-19.