epidemics

The WHO’s Maria Van Kerkhove said there are early indications omicron is more infectious, but additional data is needed.

One omicron case was discovered on Long Island and four in the boroughs that make up New York City: two in Queens, one in Brooklyn and another in the city.

President Joe Biden said Thursday his plan to fight Covid during the winter doesn’t include shutdowns or lockdowns.

At least 9 cases were confirmed on Thursday in Minnesota, Colorado, New York, Hawaii and California.

The White House is asking businesses to proceed with the vaccination and testing requirements amid concerns about the omicron variant of the coronavirus.

The first person in the U.S. diagnosed with the omicron Covid variant was fully vaccinated, has mild symptoms and has not been hospitalized, officials said.

[This stream is slated to begin at 1:40. Please refresh the page if you do not see the stream] White House chief medical advisor Dr. Anthony Fauci and press secretary Jen Psaki will update the nation with the latest information on the omicron Covid variant that was first reported to world health officials a week ago. The World Heath Organization…

The WHO said Wednesday that some patients infected with omicron are showing mild symptoms, but there are also reports of severe cases.

The FDA’s Antimicrobial Drugs Advisory Committee voted 13 to 10 to recommend emergency authorization of molnupiravir, an oral antiviral drug to fight Covid.

Dr. Anthony Fauci said Tuesday that the omicron Covid variant has been detected in 20 countries so far but officials haven’t confirmed a case in the U.S. yet.

The CDC strengthened its Covid vaccine booster recommendation Monday, saying all U.S. adults “should” get the shot, amid concern about the omicron variant.

Biden ordered precautionary restrictions on travel from South Africa and other countries after fears of the omicron Covid variant spurred a stock sell off.

New York City has not identified any cases of omicron so far, according to outgoing Mayor Bill de Blasio and Health Commissioner Dr. Dave Chokshi.

Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said he has a “very high level of confidence” that the company’s Covid treatment pill is effective against the omicron variant.

The U.S. will speak Friday with scientists in South Africa for data on the emerging, heavily mutated Covid-19 variant detected there, Dr. Anthony Fauci said.

The World Health Organization is monitoring a new variant with numerous mutations to the spike protein, officials said Thursday.

The WHO’s chief said the majority of reported Covid cases worldwide are in Europe, but added that “no country or region is out of the woods” just yet.

The continent is facing a surge of infection which has led to a lockdown in Austria and curbs in the Netherlands. Germany is also weighing tougher measures.

“We can curb the spread of the virus without having to in any way shut down our economy,” White House coronavirus response coordinator Jeff Zients said.

Dr. Scott Gottlieb told CNBC that people should get boosters as soon as possible because breakthrough infections are occurring more than the public realizes.