CDC recommends resuming indoor masking in high COVID areas
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now recommending people in areas at a high COVID-19 community level resume indoor masking.
Wastewater collection data could help track COVID-19 spread in Tampa
The city sends samples to a Massachusetts company called Biobot, which is collecting from three stations in Hillsborough County and 700 nationwide. Even though numbers in Florida are still relatively low, the data shows we are enduring a small wave in Hillsborough and nationwide.
Is omicron leading us closer to herd immunity against COVID-19? Experts weigh in
Experts say it's not likely that the highly transmissible omicron variant — or any other variant — will lead us closer to herd immunity against COVID-19.
What is bebtelovimab? US authorizes new antibody drug to fight omicron
U.S. health regulators on Friday authorized bebtelovimab, a new antibody drug that targets the omicron variant, a key step in restocking the nation's arsenal against the latest version of COVID-19.
Can you get long COVID after an infection with omicron? Here's what you need to know
Experts say it's too early to know whether people infected with the omicron variant will develop long COVID. Doctors believe it's possible to have long-term effects from omicron.
US COVID-19 death toll hits 900,000, sped by omicron
Propelled in part by the wildly contagious omicron variant, the U.S. death toll from COVID-19 hit 900,000 on Friday, less than two months after eclipsing 800,000.
COVID falling in 49 of 50 states as deaths near 900,000
With the brutal omicron wave rapidly loosening its grip, new cases of COVID-19 in the U.S. are falling in 49 of 50 states, even as the nation's death toll closes in on another bleak round number: 900,000.
Spain to drop masks outdoors as omicron surge decelerates
Spain will end a mandate to wear masks outdoors next week, reversing a late December order against an unprecedented surge of coronavirus infections fueled by a highly contagious mutation, Health Minister Carolina Darias said.
Florida's omicron cases back below highest delta level
Cases of COVID-19 in Florida are about to slip back underneath the highest number we saw during the Delta variant.
Russia's daily COVID-19 infections spike above 110,000 as omicron variant impacts country
The daily count of new coronavirus infections in Russia spiked above 110,000 as the highly contagious omicron variant races impacts the country.
New COVID variant BA.2: What's known about 'stealth' omicron?
The new coronavirus variant, which scientists call BA.2, is widely considered stealthier than the original version of omicron because particular genetic traits make it somewhat harder to detect.
Tests may not detect omicron's new 'stealth variant,' doctors warn
Public health experts around the world are closely monitoring a sub-variant of omicron they're referring to as “stealth omicron” because it may be harder to detect with currently-available tests.
Doctors caution: Accuracy of rapid COVID tests can be much lower than PCR
If you can find a COVID-19 test and can afford to wait for results, doctors agree PCR tests are the most accurate. At-home tests are less accurate, but can work in many cases. However, if you have symptoms but can't get a test, doctors say to assume you have the omicron variant.
Pfizer pills effective against omicron, vaccine-maker's studies show
Pfizer Inc. said laboratory testing showed its COVID-19 pill Paxlovid appears to be effective against the omicron variant of the coronavirus.
Polk County company third-largest producer of N95 masks in US
Not all N95 masks are approved by the CDC and the FDA for fluid resistance, but at Advanced Concept Innovations (ACI) in Polk County, they're churning out 2 million CDC and FDA-approved N95 masks a day.
Children's Gasparilla Parade will go on, despite record pediatric COVID-19 infections
After taking a year off due to COVID-19, the pirate invasion is back, with the Children's Gasparilla Parade kicking off festivities this weekend. Organizers say they expect an even bigger crowd than year’s past, but the comeback falls in the middle of record case numbers, especially among children, due to the highly contagious omicron variant.
Omicron vs. delta: Study examines difference between two coronavirus variant symptoms
The differences between omicron and delta variant symptoms were analyzed as part of a COVD-19 infection survey.
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.
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.
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.