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: What to know about the new COVID-19 strain

South African scientists 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.

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.

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.

EU, UK, Israel to halt air travel to southern Africa following new COVID-19 variant

Although WHO cautioned against hastily imposing travel restrictions linked to the new variant, the 27-nation European Union said it would propose stopping air travel from southern Africa.

Stocks sink on new COVID variant; Dow loses 1,000 points

A day after the Stock Market was closed for Thanksgiving, news of a new COVID-19 variant sent stocks falling, with the Dow losing 1,000 points.

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.

Survey: Few Americans blame God for COVID-19 pandemic, other tragedies

A large majority of U.S. adults believe that most of the suffering in the world comes from people rather than from God, according to surveys from the Pew Research Center.

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.

Gulfport using federal COVID-19 funds to send everyone $25 -- with one catch

Starting December 10, the city is sending out $25 gift cards by mail to residents, up to $50 for each household. Those gift certificates can be spent at any participating business in town – identified by a sticker in the window – until January 10.

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.

CDC tool shows how to improve airflow during indoor gatherings

The CDC rolled out an interactive tool Wednesday to help measure whether or not you have good airflow in your home ahead of holiday gatherings.