UK briefly considered extermination of all pet cats during early stage of COVID-19 pandemic

While the U.K. did not go through with this potential plan, other countries such as Hong Kong ended up euthanizing thousands of hamsters and in Denmark millions of minks were culled.

China says it's been 'open and transparent' in search for COVID origins

China said it has been “open and transparent” in the search for the origins of COVID-19, after questions about how the pandemic began received new attention.

CDC identifies possible 'safety concern' for certain people receiving COVID vaccines

The Centers for Disease Control says that a preliminary COVID-19 vaccine "safety signal" has been identified and is investigating whether the Bivalent Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine creates an increased risk of ischemic stroke in people 65 and older.

German doctor gets over 2 years in prison for illegally issuing mask exemptions during pandemic

A regional court in the southwestern town of Weinheim confirmed Tuesday that the doctor was convicted of “issuing incorrect health certificates” to people from across Germany, most of whom she had never met or examined.

New Omicron subvariant becoming dominant COVID strain in U.S.

A new Omicron variant known as XBB.1.5 is reportedly spreading quickly nationwide as doctors say COVID-19 continues to evolve.

More countries imposing COVID rules on travelers from China

China is battling a nationwide outbreak of the coronavirus after abruptly easing restrictions that were in place for much of the pandemic.

World governments using COVID-19 tech to expand global surveillance

Now, from Beijing to Jerusalem to Hyderabad, India, and Perth, Australia, The Associated Press has found that authorities used these technologies and data to halt travel for activists and ordinary people, harass marginalized communities and link people’s health information to other surveillance and law enforcement tools.

‘Hard road’ lies ahead for China as COVID-19 cases spiral

China has reduced testing and stopped reporting most mild COVID cases. China is among a few countries that managed to stop most domestic transmission of the virus in 2020, but it’s the last to end restrictions.

Camden public school students to mask up for 2 weeks following winter break

Students and staff in the Camden City School District will wear masks for two weeks after they return from holiday break to limit the spread of COVID and other seasonal illnesses. 

House bill rescinds COVID-19 vaccine mandate for U.S. military

More than 8,000 active-duty service members were discharged for failure to obey a lawful order when they refused the vaccine.

Indoor mask mandate may return if LA County reaches high COVID transmission, Ferrer says

Los Angeles County may once again bring back the indoor mask mandate. According to Director Barbara Ferrer, if the county reaches the CDC's high transmission category, masking may be required indoors – again.