Health

The new omicron variant appears to be driving a dramatic surge in South Africa, providing the world a glimpse of where the pandemic might be headed.

As COVID-19 continues to spread, researchers say a significant number of people worldwide may face a long-term or even permanent loss of smell and taste as more become infected.

Monoclonal antibodies are proteins made in a lab which copy the human immune system’s ability to fight off harmful pathogens such as the novel coronavirus, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Some people can lose their sense of smell indefinitely

More than 1% of the German population is currently infected with the coronavirus, according to the country's health minister

A research group has been tracking reinfections in South Africa and reported a jump with the arrival of omicron that they hadn't seen when two previous variants, including the extra-contagious delta variant, moved through the country.

The WHO says measures like higher vaccination rates, social-distancing guidelines and wearing masks should remain the foundation for fighting the pandemic.

The first case of the omicron variant of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Health announced Thursday. The confirmation comes one day after the first U.S. cases of the omicron variant were detected in California.

The vaccine alliance that helps run COVAX warned in internal documents that a substantial number of doses might only show up in late 2022 or even 2023.

The request comes as the world rushes to learn more about the new and highly transmissible omicron variant first discovered by South Africa.

“Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate ensures that many Oklahoma National Guard members will simply quit instead of getting a vaccine, a situation that will irreparably harm Oklahomans’ safety and security,” said Attorney General John O’Connor.

While all eyes are on the new and little-understood omicron variant, the delta form of the coronavirus isn’t finished wreaking havoc in the U.S., sending record numbers of patients to the hospital in some states, especially in the Midwest and New England.

In an analysis of 2018 data from nearly a dozen states, researchers at the CDC found that among 8-year-olds, 1 in 44 had been diagnosed with autism.

All travelers to the U.S. must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within one day of boarding their flights, regardless of nationality or vaccination status, the White House said.

Biden is unveiling a winter plan to combat COVID-19 and its new omicron variant with more availability of shots and vaccines but without major new restrictions.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said people who aren't vaccinated against COVID-19 will be excluded from nonessential stores, cultural and recreational venues.

In total, Meta deleted 979 accounts, groups and pages across its platforms last month, most of which were found to belong to a sprawling network from China trying to spread COVID-19 misinformation.