COVID-19 test giveaway: How Biden plans to distribute 500M kits for free
President Joe Biden says the federal government will buy half a billion COVID-19 rapid test kits and distribute them free of charge to people to use at home.
Fauci: 4th COVID-19 vaccine dose too ‘premature’ to discuss
Dr. Anthony Fauci said it’s too soon to decide if Americans would need a fourth dose of the COVID-19 vaccine.
Surging NYC coronavirus spread brings warnings for children
A health advisory said the recent fourfold increase in admissions that began the week of Dec. 5 are concentrated in New York City and the surrounding area, where the highly contagious omicron variant was spreading rapidly.
NY cuts COVID quarantine period for essential workers
Essential workers who test positive for COVID-19, but are fully vaccinated, can now return to work in 5 days, as long as they’re asymptomatic, have no fever for 72 hours and wear a mask.
Angry crowds, arguments across NYC as demand for COVID tests rises
In some parts of the city, larger-than-expected turnouts for free at-home COVID testing kits led to angry scenes.
Calls for more COVID testing before NYC students return to school
Officials are urging the city to create a plan for all students and staff to take rapid tests the weekend before school resumes.
NY loosens COVID isolation rules for health workers
Fully vaccinated people in health care and other frontline fields can return to work after five days instead of 10 if they’re not showing symptoms or their symptoms are resolving. They must also wear masks on the job.
Newark planning vaccination mandate for restaurants, bars
Newark is planning a new vaccine mandate in response to a dramatic spike in COVID cases in the Garden State.
NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer tests positive for COVID-19
The Democrat is fully vaccinated and boosted and said he was experiencing minor symptoms.
Florida hits all-time daily COVID-19 case record
Florida had 31,758 new COVID-19 cases on Friday, breaking a record for the most cases in a single day since the start of the pandemic in the U.S. in March 2020, according to data from the CDC.
Times Square New Years Eve ball drop being scaled back
With COVID cases surging in hotspot New York City, plans for New York's NYE in Times Square are being scaled back. Some local events are canceled in New York City.
Search for a COVID-19 test means sold-out signs, long lines
Fueling the surging demand for tests is a mix of factors, including families seeking to keep holiday gatherings safe and people needing to prove they are virus-free for travel, work or school.
Omicron variant causes Christmas flight cancellations and holiday travel headaches
United Airlines has been forced to cancel 121 flights on Christmas Eve, in part, due to the coronavirus omicron variant.
COVID cases in NJ jump nearly 60% in one day, shattering record
The Garden State has seen a stunning increase in confirmed new cases, up 59% from Wednesday and a 126% increase from Tuesday.
NYC jail visits suspended as COVID-19 infections skyrocket
COVID infection rates for inmates in New York City's jails is now 17%, nearly double the amount from the previous week.
Michigan man who defied state pandemic orders to keep diner open dies of COVID-19
John Parney said he kept the Quincy Diner open partly to pay for medical bills. The south Michigan man wasn't vaccinated when he got infected, but pledged during his illness he would, arguing "the battle, at this point, was worse than any training he endured in the military."
Supreme Court to hold special session on Biden's COVID-19 vaccine mandates
The Supreme Court says it will hold a special session in just over two weeks to hear arguments on the Biden administration’s vaccine or testing requirement for large employers and a separate vaccine requirement for health care workers.
Omicron variant less likely to require hospitalization, studies show
Scientists stress that even if the findings of these early studies hold up, any reductions in severity need to be weighed against the fact omicron spreads much faster than delta and is more able to evade vaccines.
DC to require proof of vaccination for restaurants, bars, other indoor venues
D.C. will soon require proof of vaccination for many indoor venues, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced Wednesday.
COVID-19 at-home test kit purchases capped at CVS, other stores
Customers seeking at-home COVID-19 test kits from CVS stores will be limited to no more than six, according to a company spokesperson.