US will lift travel ban on southern African countries on Dec. 31

US will lift travel ban on southern African countries on Dec. 31

The Nov. 29 ban barred nearly all non-U.S. citizens who had recently been in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi.

The Nov. 29 ban barred nearly all non-U.S. citizens who had recently been in South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Lesotho, Eswatini, Mozambique and Malawi.

Times Square New Years Eve ball drop being scaled back

Times Square New Years Eve ball drop being scaled back

With COVID cases surging in hotspot New York City, plans for New York's NYE in Times Square are being scaled back. Some local events are canceled in New York City.

With COVID cases surging in hotspot New York City, plans for New York's NYE in Times Square are being scaled back. Some local events are canceled in New York City.

Merck COVID-19 pill: FDA approves 2nd at-home treatment

Merck COVID-19 pill: FDA approves 2nd at-home treatment

Merck’s COVID-19 pill has been authorized by the FDA, providing another easy-to-use medication to fight the rapidly-spreading omicron variant.

Merck’s COVID-19 pill has been authorized by the FDA, providing another easy-to-use medication to fight the rapidly-spreading omicron variant.

Michigan man who defied state pandemic orders to keep diner open dies of COVID-19

Michigan man who defied state pandemic orders to keep diner open dies of COVID-19

John Parney said he kept the Quincy Diner open partly to pay for medical bills. The south Michigan man wasn't vaccinated when he got infected, but pledged during his illness he would, arguing "the battle, at this point, was worse than any training he endured in the military."

John Parney said he kept the Quincy Diner open partly to pay for medical bills. The south Michigan man wasn't vaccinated when he got infected, but pledged during his illness he would, arguing "the battle, at this point, was worse than any training he endured in the military."

Omicron variant less likely to require hospitalization, studies show

Omicron variant less likely to require hospitalization, studies show

Scientists stress that even if the findings of these early studies hold up, any reductions in severity need to be weighed against the fact omicron spreads much faster than delta and is more able to evade vaccines.

Scientists stress that even if the findings of these early studies hold up, any reductions in severity need to be weighed against the fact omicron spreads much faster than delta and is more able to evade vaccines.

Retailers put buying limits on COVID test kits as travelers rush to test before holidays

Retailers put buying limits on COVID test kits as travelers rush to test before holidays

With Christmas now only days away, thousands of Floridians are looking to gather with confidence, but some stores have just announced they will impose a purchase limit for at-home COVID-19 testing products.

With Christmas now only days away, thousands of Floridians are looking to gather with confidence, but some stores have just announced they will impose a purchase limit for at-home COVID-19 testing products.

Pfizer COVID-19 pill approved in US as 1st home treatment

Pfizer COVID-19 pill approved in US as 1st home treatment

Pfizer’s pill, called Paxlovid, is the first COVID-19 treatment that Americans can pick up at a pharmacy and take at home.

Pfizer’s pill, called Paxlovid, is the first COVID-19 treatment that Americans can pick up at a pharmacy and take at home.

WHO chief: Blanket COVID booster drives risk prolonged pandemic

WHO chief: Blanket COVID booster drives risk prolonged pandemic

The head of the World Health Organization warned Wednesday that blanket booster programs in rich countries risk prolonging the world's battle with COVID-19 and said that “no country can boost its way out of the pandemic.”

The head of the World Health Organization warned Wednesday that blanket booster programs in rich countries risk prolonging the world's battle with COVID-19 and said that “no country can boost its way out of the pandemic.”

Nearly $100B in COVID-19 relief funds stolen, Secret Service says

Nearly $100B in COVID-19 relief funds stolen, Secret Service says

Most of that figure comes from unemployment fraud. The Labor Department reported about $87 billion in unemployment benefits could have been paid improperly, with a significant portion attributable to fraud.

Most of that figure comes from unemployment fraud. The Labor Department reported about $87 billion in unemployment benefits could have been paid improperly, with a significant portion attributable to fraud.

Judge rules against California school district in COVID vaccine suit

Judge rules against California school district in COVID vaccine suit

San Diego Unified is one of several large school districts in California to announce such mandates. Other districts with similar mandates include Los Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento and West Contra Costa Unified school districts.

San Diego Unified is one of several large school districts in California to announce such mandates. Other districts with similar mandates include Los Angeles, Oakland, Sacramento and West Contra Costa Unified school districts.

Trump 'very appreciative' and 'surprised' after Biden acknowledged his administration's COVID vaccine rollout

Trump 'very appreciative' and 'surprised' after Biden acknowledged his administration's COVID vaccine rollout

Former President Trump said he was "very appreciative" and "surprised" that President Biden thanked him and his administration for their success in making COVID-19 vaccines available to the public, adding that "tone" and "trust" are critical in getting Americans vaccinated.

Former President Trump said he was "very appreciative" and "surprised" that President Biden thanked him and his administration for their success in making COVID-19 vaccines available to the public, adding that "tone" and "trust" are critical in getting Americans vaccinated.

South Africa's COVID-19 case drop may show its omicron peak has passed

South Africa's COVID-19 case drop may show its omicron peak has passed

South Africa's noticeable drop in new COVID-19 cases may signal that the country's omicron-driven surge has passed its peak, medical experts say.

South Africa's noticeable drop in new COVID-19 cases may signal that the country's omicron-driven surge has passed its peak, medical experts say.

San Jose mayor pushes for mandatory booster; could be 1st in California

San Jose mayor pushes for mandatory booster; could be 1st in California

In what could be an unprecedented move in California, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said he wants to make all city employees and visitors who enter city-owned facilities, to have a booster shot or third round of vaccinations. There will surely be pushback to the plan.

In what could be an unprecedented move in California, San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said he wants to make all city employees and visitors who enter city-owned facilities, to have a booster shot or third round of vaccinations. There will surely be pushback to the plan.

NHL to withdraw from Olympics after COVID surge, sources say

NHL to withdraw from Olympics after COVID surge, sources say

The NHL is not sending players to the Beijing Olympics over concerns that the coronavirus pandemic will disrupt the league's ability to complete a full season.

The NHL is not sending players to the Beijing Olympics over concerns that the coronavirus pandemic will disrupt the league's ability to complete a full season.