COVID-19 Omicron Variant

Researchers noted that the rats are actually susceptible to the alpha, delta and omicron variants of the disease.

COVID-19 mutations were found in NYC's massive rat population, and experts are concerned the mutation could jump from the vermin to humans.

COVID-19 infections from the omicron subvariants designated BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 are growing fast in Europe and appear to be rising in the U.S., too.

The White House is warning of a "challenging" virus season ahead and urging eligible Americans to get the updated COVID-19 boosters by Halloween to have maximum protection against the coronavirus by Thanksgiving and the holidays

Pfizer is asking the FDA to expand use of its updated COVID-19 vaccine booster shot to children ages 5 to 11. The so-called bivalent shot is meant to be more effective against omicron variants of the coronavirus.

The head of the World Health Organization says the number of coronavirus deaths last week was the lowest reported number in the pandemic since March 2020. Could this be a turning point in the global outbreak?

New COVID-19 boosters targeting today's most common omicron strains should arrive within days. The new shots offer Americans a chance to get the most up-to-date protection. Here are some things to know.

The number of new coronavirus cases and deaths reported globally continued to fall nearly everywhere in the world. But deaths climbed in two regions.

Pfizer has asked the FDA to authorize its combination COVID-19 vaccine that adds protection against the newest omicron relatives.

The New York City Department of Education says it will no longer randomly test willing students for COVID-19 and will rely instead on at-home tests.

New cases of COVID-19 have stopped falling in New York City and the growing share of infections from the BA.5 omicron subvariant could mean the start of a new wave, according to a former top health aide to City Hall.

The World Health Organization — the U.N.'s health agency — said evidence is limited but is increasing that a second booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine would benefit health workers, people who are 60 or older, and those with weak immune systems.

Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, and Putnam counties have all been designated as 'high-risk' counties by the CDC. Much of New York City is considered 'medium risk'.

Hochul said she is asymptomatic and will be working remotely for the upcoming week.

Officials said New York City would seriously consider bringing back mask mandates and vaccine checks if hospitalizations due to COVID continue to rise.

A new omicron mutant that is a descendent of the earlier "stealth omicron" has quickly gained ground in the United States. It was responsible for 29% of new COVID-19 infections nationally and about 58% of new infections in the New York region.