US COVID-19 death toll tops 800K amid increasing delta, omicron spread

The milestone is a sad ending to a year that held much promise with the arrival of vaccines, and comes as officials around the world are monitoring the spread of the new omicron variant.

Canines in California trained to sniff out COVID from old socks

Dogs in Concord, Calif. are being trained to sniff COVID from old socks. The goal is to eventually use these COVID-sniffing canines in schools.

Omicron variant is milder but better at evading vaccines, South African data indicates

The omicron variant appears to cause less severe disease than previous strains, South African data suggests. But the Pfizer vaccine seems to offer less defense against infection.

Pfizer: COVID-19 pill remains effective against severe disease, omicron variant

Pfizer said its experimental COVID-19 pill Paxlovid reduced hospitalizations and deaths by 89% among high-risk adults when taken shortly after initial symptoms.

Poison Control Center: 35 hospitalized for severe bleeding after using 'spice' in Hillsborough

At least 35 people have been hospitalized in Hillsborough County after smoking synthetic marijuana, also known as spice. Officials say patients have come in with symptoms including severe bleeding that develops suddenly and gets worse over time.

Air Force discharges 27 for refusing COVID-19 vaccine

The Air Force has discharged 27 people for refusing to get the COVID-19 vaccine, making them what officials believe are the first service members to be removed for disobeying the mandate to get the shots.

Smelling cat urine, chronic pain, and extreme fatigue: my experience with long-haul Covid

It's been more than seven months since Maurielle Lue was released from the hospital after recovering from COVID-19, but her long-haul symptoms have persisted well past the original illness. This is her story.

Man gets vaccinated up to 10 times in a single day

A man allegedly got vaccinated against COVID-19 as many as 10 times in a single day. Here's why:

South African president tests positive for COVID-19, has mild symptoms

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is self-isolating in Cape Town and is being monitored by the South African Military Health Service.

Fauci: Americans may 'just have to deal with' more COVID boosters

Dr. Anthony Fauci made the statement on Sunday morning and said that the level of protection that the current coronavirus booster shots give to individuals will have to be monitored closely over the next several months.

Navy commander loses job after refusing COVID-19 vaccine

Cmdr. Lucian Kins was relieved of his duties Friday as second in command of the USS Winston Churchill, a destroyer, by Navy Capt. Ken Anderson, commander of Naval Surface Squadron 14.

Omicron variant appearing milder than delta, South African doctors say

In the two weeks since omicron first was reported in Southern Africa, other doctors have shared similar stories. All caution that it will take many more weeks to collect enough data to be sure, their observations and the early evidence offer some clues.

Pennsylvania Supreme Court throws out mask mandate for schools

Pennsylvania schoolchildren may soon be attending classes unmasked under a state Supreme Court ruling Friday that threw out the Wolf administration's statewide mandate that face coverings be worn inside K-12 school buildings.

New York indoor mask mandate for places without vaccine requirement

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul issued an indoor mask mandate Friday for all public places that do not require proof of vaccination.

TikTok-famous Koda the Fluff Dog visits St. Pete elementary school

Everyone knows TikTok has many corners, and anyone who’s been on the side with all the dogs has surely run across Koda the Fluff Dog. For anyone who hasn’t, you’re in luck. This adorable Pomeranian is a trained comfort and support dog, and she’s full of energy and delight – and very well-behaved.

New eye drops could replace reading glasses

New FDA-approved eye drops could end up replacing reading glasses. The manufacturer says one drop per eye provides sharper vision for up to 10 hours.

Google, Ford, other companies delay return-to-work plans amid omicron cases

Google and Ford are among those once again delaying their return-to-office plans, while other businesses whose workers are already back to the office are considering adding extra precautions like masks and COVID-19 testing.

Abortion in Texas: Supreme Court won’t stop ban, but OKs clinics’ suit

The Supreme Court ruled that Texas abortion providers can sue over the state’s law that makes abortion illegal after cardiac activity is detected in an embryo, but the justices are allowing the law to remain in effect.