Hospitals prepare for surge of COVID patients as families prepare to gather for holidays
Medical experts say this holiday is not the time to let your guard down. Hospitals in Tampa Bay are preparing for a potential surge in COVID-19 cases, as the omicron variant continues to spread faster than any previous version of the virus.
Rapid COVID-19 home tests could bring reassurance for 2021 holidays, experts say
At-home rapid COVID-19 tests could help make a family’s holiday gathering safer when combined with vaccination and boosters, 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.
Biden pledges 500M free at-home COVID-19 tests, more hospital aid to fight omicron
President Joe Biden pledged 500 million free at-home COVID-19 tests that Americans can have shipped to them as the world races the omicron variant.
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan tests positive for COVID-19
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan says he has tested positive for COVID-19.
NHL to briefly pause season starting Wednesday due to COVID-19 concerns
The NHL announced it will briefly pause the season starting Wednesday because of a surge in COVID-19 cases. The league will begin the Christmas break two days earlier than planned.
DC reinstates indoor mask mandate, declares State of Emergency as COVID-19 omicron variant surges
D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has reinstated the city’s mask mandate and has expanded the District’s vaccine requirements as part of a State of Emergency she declared Monday as COVID-19 cases surge nationwide due to the highly contagious omicron variant.
Between holidays and omicron, demand for COVID testing jumps
Demand for COVID-19 tests is rising just as the holidays approach and the omicron variant becomes the dominant strain in the U.S., infecting people who were already vaccinated or even got boosted.
Polk State College could face class-action suit over fees charged during pandemic
Students at Polk State College could have some money coming their way thanks to a student's lawsuit, alleging the school mishandled operations during the pandemic.
Biden tests negative for COVID-19 after close contact with infected staffer
“On Monday morning, a mid-level staff member, who does not regularly have contact with the President, received a positive result for a COVID-19 test,” press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday.
COVID-19 in pictures: Photographer captures air travel’s contrast in 2020, 2021
Aviation photographer Ryan Patterson set out to show how the COVID-19 pandemic altered air travel in 2020 and 2021 with the click of his camera.
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.
Swedish company showcases microchip that can download COVID-19 passport status
A microchip technology introduced in recent years by the Stockholm-based startup, Epicenter, is being presented as a means to store one's COVID-19 vaccine passport under the skin, according to a video from the South China Post that went viral Friday.
Crowd boos after Trump reveals he got COVID-19 booster shot
Former President Donald Trump revealed he received a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, drawing boos from a crowd in Dallas. "If you don't want to take it, you shouldn't be forced to take it. No mandates," he told the crowd. “But take credit because we saved tens of millions of lives. Take credit. Don't let them take that away from you.”
Suicide hotline transitioning to 3-digit number: 988
People in crisis and those trying to help them will have a new three-digit phone number, 988, to reach the national suicide prevention network starting in July.
Biogen halves price of Alzheimer's drug after criticism
The drugmaker said Monday that it will cut the wholesale acquisition cost of the drug by about 50% next month. That means the annual cost for a person of average weight will amount to $28,200.
Israel to ban travel to US, Canada due to omicron variant concerns
Israel will ban travel to the United States, Canada and eight other countries amid the rapid, global spread of the omicron variant of the coronavirus.
Family searches for bone marrow donor to cure daughter's cancer
When Essie Gutierrez was ten years old, she had a bruise that wouldn't go away, so her mother took Essie to Nemours Children's Health hospital in Jacksonville.
Sarah Palin says 'over my dead body' about COVID vaccine
Sarah Palin said “over my dead body” will she be forced to get a COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 in Florida: Omicron believed to be behind increase in cases, medical experts say
Health officials have said that they believe the booster shot is still the best protection against the new variant.