Soaring COVID-19 Cases Renew US Debate Over Mask Mandates

HEALTH | By Meg Kinnard | Jan 13, 2022

Officials across the U.S. are again weighing how and whether to impose mask mandates as COVID-19 infections soar.

When Am I Contagious if Infected With Omicron?

HEALTH | By Matthew Perrone | Jan 13, 2022

Some early data suggests people might become contagious sooner than with earlier variants — possibly within a day after infection.

Omicron May Be Headed For a Rapid Drop in US and Britain

HEALTH | By Maria Cheng, Carla K. Johnson | Jan 11, 2022

Scientists are seeing signals that COVID-19's alarming omicron wave may have peaked in Britain and is about to do the same in the U.S.

Unfounded Theory Used to Dismiss COVID Measures

HEALTH | By Angelo Fichera and Josh Kelety | Jan 8, 2022

In widely shared social media posts this week, efforts to combat the disease have been dismissed with just three words: "Mass formation psychosis."

FDA Shortens Timing of Moderna Booster to 5 Months

HEALTH | Jan 8, 2022

U.S. regulators on Friday shortened the time that people who received Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine have to wait for a booster — to five months rather than six.

How Do I Know if I have a Cold, the Flu or COVID-19?

HEALTH | By Victoria Milko | Jan 7, 2022

Experts say testing is the best way to determine what you have since symptoms of the illnesses can overlap.

What Does 'Fully Vaccinated' Mean? Don't Ask the CDC

HEALTH | By Zeke Miller, Mike Stobbe | Jan 5, 2022

U.S. health officials aren't changing qualifications for being "fully vaccinated," but are urging Americans to stay "up to date" by getting booster shots when eligible.

Why Are So Many People Getting COVID-19 Lately?

HEALTH | By Laura Ungar | Jan 4, 2022

People might mistakenly think the COVID-19 vaccines will completely block infection, but the shots are mainly designed to prevent severe illness.

How Will Pandemic End? Omicron Clouds Forecasts for Endgame

HEALTH | By Lauran Neergaard, Carla K. Johnson | Jan 3, 2022

Pandemics do eventually end, even if omicron is complicating the question of when this one will. But it won't be like flipping a light switch.

Fauci: CDC Mulling COVID Test Requirements for Asymptomatic

HEALTH | By Hope Yen, Aamer Madhani | Jan 3, 2022

Federal health officials are looking to add a negative test along with its five-day isolation restrictions for asymptomatic Americans who catch the coronavirus.

New Easy-to-Use COVID-19 Pills Come With a Catch

HEALTH | By Tom Murphy | Dec 26, 2021

Newly infected COVID-19 patients have two new treatment options that can be taken at home. But that convenience comes with a catch: The pills have to be taken as soon as possible once symptoms appear.

How Will Biden's COVID-19 Test Giveaway Work?

HEALTH | By Darlene Superville | Dec 25, 2021

Despite the high public demand for COVID-19 tests, it will still be several more weeks before these kits are available to be shipped.

U.S. Adds Merck Pill as 2nd Easy-to-Use Drug Against COVID-19

HEALTH | By Matthew Perrone | Dec 23, 2021

U.S. health regulators on Thursday authorized the second pill against COVID-19, providing another easy-to-use medication to battle the rising tide of omicron infections.

Omicron Less Likely to Put You in the Hospital, Studies Say

HEALTH | By Laura Ungar, Mike Stobbe | Dec 23, 2021

Two new British studies provide some early hints that the omicron variant of the coronavirus may be milder than the delta version.

Pfizer Pill Becomes First US-Authorized Home COVID Treatment

HEALTH | By Matthew Perrone | Dec 23, 2021

U.S. health regulators authorized the first pill against COVID-19, a Pfizer drug that Americans will be able to take at home to head off the virsus's worst effects.

Is the COVID-19 Vaccine Safe for Children?

HEALTH | By Lauran Neergaard | Dec 23, 2021

More than 5 million children ages 5 to 11 have gotten a first dose since early November, and government safety monitoring has not uncovered any surprise problems.

Omicron May Sideline Two Leading Drugs Against COVID-19

HEALTH | By Matthew Perrone | Dec 20, 2021

The two standard drugs doctors have used to fight COVID-19 are unlikely to work against omicron.

Fauci Says Omicron Variant is `Just Raging Around the World'

NATIONAL | By Josh Boak | Dec 19, 2021

The COVID-19 omicron variant is "just raging around the world," Dr. Fauci said Sunday as President Joe Biden prepares to issue "a stark warning of what the winter will look like" for unvaccinated Americans.

Hits 'Keep Coming': Hospitals Struggle as COVID Beds Fill

NATIONAL | By Ed White | Dec 19, 2021

Hospitals across the country are struggling to cope, already buffeted by a crush of patients from the ongoing surge of the COVID-19 delta variant and now bracing for another highly transmissible mutation.

Data Indicate Omicron is Milder, Better at Evading Vaccines

HEALTH | By Andrew Meldrum | Dec 14, 2021

The omicron variant is offering more hints about what it may have in store as it spreads around the globe: A highly transmissible virus that may cause less severe disease.

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