86% of restaurants, bars waiting for COVID-19 relief could close, IRC says
The Independent Restaurant Coalition is asking for Congress to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund to help restaurants and bars still struggling to stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic.
US colleges opting for online classes amid omicron surge
Amid a wave of COVID-19 cases driven by the omicron variant, dozens of colleges are making plans to move classes online for at least the first week of the semester.
Marine Corps removes 206 service members for refusing to get COVID-19 vaccine
Dozens of Marines have been discharged over the past week for their refusal to comply with the military’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate.
COVID-19 antiviral pills now available at Walmart and Sam's Club
Walmart and Sam's Club are offering antiviral COVID-19 medications at select stores with a prescription from a healthcare provider.
New Year's Eve: Omicron mutes celebrations as many hope for better 2022
New Year's Eve celebrations were muted or canceled in many places around the world for the second straight year due to a surge of COVID-19 infections.
California prisons fight virus outbreaks amid staff concerns
The twice-weekly testing requirement applies to about 10,000 unvaccinated corrections employees, nearly a third of whom weren’t complying from mid-October through mid-November, according to the most recent data provided by corrections officials. Yet the state’s figures show fewer than 20 employees were disciplined during the same time frame.
LA County reports more than 20,000 new COVID cases ahead of New Year's Eve
Los Angeles County Public Health once again saw an alarming surge in COVID-19 cases, with the daily new cases topping 20,000.
CDC advises travelers to avoid cruises regardless of vaccination status
Even if you’re fully vaccinated, the CDC is advising against traveling on a cruise ship.
JetBlue cuts 1,280 flights through mid-January amid omicron challenges
JetBlue is proactively cutting about 1,280 flights beginning Thursday through mid-January 2022 in anticipation of more COVID-19 cases among its crew.
Mill Valley family takes COVID testing to new level ahead of New Year's Eve party
A family from Mill Valley is requiring guests for their New Year's Eve house party be vaccinated, boosted and sign up for a PCR test at their house hours before the event to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
CDC monitors, investigates at least 73 cruise ships following COVID-19 outbreaks
As of Monday, 73 cruise ships were sailing at yellow or orange status, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ships with orange or yellow status are currently being monitored or investigated due to suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 on board.
New COVID-19 cases in US hit pandemic high amid omicron surge
The seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. was 265,427 on Tuesday, well over the previous record set in mid-January, according to Johns Hopkins.
CDC director: Omicron variant mostly mild so far
The chief of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more than 40 people in the country have been found to be infected with the omicron variant so far and more than three-quarters of them had been vaccinated.
Doctors advise against cloth masks to prevent spread of COVID-19
Doctors are advising against wearing cloth masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Instead, wear a surgical mask or N-95.
U.S. move to shorten COVID-19 isolation stirs confusion, doubt
The CDC has cut the recommended isolation time for asymptomatic COVID-19 patients in half.
Austin Public Health offering free COVID tests at two new locations
Austin Public Health has two free COVID-19 testing locations that do not require appointments.
Free drive-up COVID-19 testing being offered at The Long Center
Originally scheduled to end on December 28, officials have extended the pop-up testing site until December 31.
Apple closes New York City stores to in-person shopping
The list of COVID-induced closures, cancellations, and changes continues to grow in New York City. Apple has closed its locations in the city to in-store shopping.
COVID-19 testing sites create long lines as at-home kits become scarce
In New York City, drugstores posted signs alerting customers that they sold out of tests. In Atlanta, drugstores ran out of home tests, and police shut down testing sites as traffic backed up a half-mile or more.
CDC shortens COVID-19 quarantine recommendation to 5 days
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials said the guidance is in keeping with growing evidence that people with the coronavirus are most infectious in the two days before and three days after symptoms develop.