Belgian zoo's 2 hippos test positive for COVID-19

A Belgian zoo says that a pair of hippopotamuses in its care have been placed in isolation after testing positive for COVID-19.

New Jersey omicron case confirmed; out-of-state resident in isolation

A woman who lives in Georgia tested positive for COVID-19 while visiting New Jersey. Gene sequencing confirms she has the omicron variant of the coronavirus.

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 COVID-19 variant detected in Nebraska, Utah

Much remains unknown about the omicron variant, including whether it is more contagious, as some health authorities suspect, whether it can thwart vaccines and whether it makes people as sick as the original strain.

First 3 cases of Omicron variant identified in Maryland, Gov. Hogan confirms

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced on Friday that state health officials have confirmed the first three cases of the COVID-19 Omicron variant in the state.

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.

Long-term COVID-19 smell, taste loss could impact millions, researchers say

As COVID-19 continues to spread, researchers say a significant number of people worldwide may face a long-term or even permanent loss of smell and taste as more become infected.

Israel health officials confirm 7 omicron COVID-19 cases, 27 others suspected

Israel's Health Ministry says it has confirmed seven cases of the new omicron variant of the coronavirus, stoking fears of a pending surge in infections.

FDA expands emergency use of 2 COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatments to infants

Monoclonal antibodies are proteins made in a lab which copy the human immune system’s ability to fight off harmful pathogens such as the novel coronavirus, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

1 in 100 in Germany infected with COVID-19, health minister says

More than 1% of the German population is currently infected with the coronavirus, according to the country's health minister

Omicron COVID-19 variant detected in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has confirmed its first case of the omicron variant of the coronavirus in an unvaccinated person who returned from Nigeria.

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.

Dr. Wherry discusses what?s known so far omicron variant, Biden?s winter plan
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Dr. E. John Wherry, Director of the University of Pennsylvania?s Institute for Immunology, breaks down what we know so far about the new COVID-19 variant known as ?omicron? and what impact President Biden?s winter plan may have.

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.

'This is America': New Jersey GOP lawmakers defy vaccine mandate

"This is America!" Assembly member Hal Wirths added. Lawmakers compared the situation to something that might happen in a dictatorship.

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.

Vaccine inequity: Global initiative to share shots struggles to meet goal

The vaccine alliance that helps run COVAX warned in internal documents that a substantial number of doses might only show up in late 2022 or even 2023.

Oklahoma files lawsuit over National Guard COVID-19 vaccine mandate

“Biden’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate ensures that many Oklahoma National Guard members will simply quit instead of getting a vaccine, a situation that will irreparably harm Oklahomans’ safety and security,” said Attorney General John O’Connor.