COVID-19 surge: Here’s what’s canceled or closing across the US

As the omicron variant continues to spread across the country, many events are getting canceled and businesses are closing.

NHL to briefly pause season starting Wednesday due to COVID-19 concerns

The NHL announced it will briefly pause the season starting Wednesday because of a surge in COVID-19 cases. The league will begin the Christmas break two days earlier than planned.

DC reinstates indoor mask mandate, declares State of Emergency as COVID-19 omicron variant surges

D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has reinstated the city’s mask mandate and has expanded the District’s vaccine requirements as part of a State of Emergency she declared Monday as COVID-19 cases surge nationwide due to the highly contagious omicron variant.

Biden tests negative for COVID-19 after close contact with infected staffer

“On Monday morning, a mid-level staff member, who does not regularly have contact with the President, received a positive result for a COVID-19 test,” press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday.

CDC data: Omicron now dominant COVID-19 variant in US

Omicron has raced ahead of other variants and is now the dominant version of the coronavirus in the U.S. Federal health officials said Monday that omicron accounted for an estimated 73% of new infections last week.

Israel to ban travel to US, Canada due to omicron variant concerns

Israel will ban travel to the United States, Canada and eight other countries amid the rapid, global spread of the omicron variant of the coronavirus.

NY single-day record for COVID cases

21,027 New Yorkers have tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, the highest number since January 14.

21 heartwarming, feel-good things that happened in 2021

From small acts of kindness to awe-inspiring events, there were a lot of feel-good moments in 2021.

Saturday's Tampa Bay Lightning game postponed amid COVID surge in NHL

The NHL has postponed the Tampa Bay Lightning's game against the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday after shutting down all of the Avalanche's upcoming games due to rising COVID cases.

NFL updates protocols in response to increase in COVID-19 cases around league

In moves reminiscent of the environment for the 2020 season, the NFL has updated its protocols and advocated for booster shots in reaction to an increase in COVID-19 cases around the league.

Princeton moves exams online as colleges go back to drawing board to fight COVID

Colleges across the U.S. are starting to require booster shots, extend mask mandates and in some cases revert to online classes as they brace for the new omicron variant.

How to tell the difference between the common cold, flu and COVID-19

Is it COVID-19, the flu or the common cold? Jade Flinn, a nurse educator at Johns Hopkins Hospital’s biocontainment unit, outlines some of the key differences and similarities between the three illnesses.