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.
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.
Omicron surge: Medical surveillance can't keep up with rate variant is spreading
Medical experts say the omicron coronavirus variant is spreading so fast, surveillance attempts can’t keep up.
Omicron variant now makes up about 3% of US COVID-19 cases, CDC says
The CDC estimates that the new omicron variant of the coronavirus now makes up about 3% of COVID-19 cases reported nationwide.
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.
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.
WHO warns omicron variant fears may set off hoarding of COVID-19 vaccines
The World Health Organization has expressed concerns that rich countries spooked by the emergence of the omicron variant could step up hoarding of COVID-19 vaccines.
COVID-19 variants will keep coming until we can slow transmission of virus
You may want to brush up on your Greek letters. This cycle, of going from one COVID-19 variant to the next, is likely not going anywhere anytime soon, says Dr. Michael Teng, a public health expert from USF.
Omicron variant may be less dangerous than delta, US health officials say
“Thus far, it does not look like there’s a great degree of severity to it,” Dr. Anthony Fauci said.
Omicron variant: Pfizer running ‘neutralization tests’ with its COVID-19 vaccine
Companies Pfizer and BioNTech are currently running tests in response to the rapidly spreading omicron variant with data likely available in the coming weeks.
Omicron variant: South Africa may offer glimpse into the future
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.
Study suggests past COVID-19 infection may not fend off omicron variant
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.
Omicron: WHO says measures used against delta should work for new variant
The WHO says measures like higher vaccination rates, social-distancing guidelines and wearing masks should remain the foundation for fighting the pandemic.
1st confirmed omicron variant case in Minnesota connected to NY anime convention
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.