U.S. COVID Cases, Hospitalizations Continue Steady Decline
Infectious disease specialist Dr. Thomas Russo said what’s influencing the decline in Omicron cases is that it has built up some population immunity.
| AP and Scripps News Staff
Coronavirus
British Prime Minister Scraps Remaining COVID Restrictions In England
The new plan foresees vaccines and treatments keeping the virus in check, though the government said other measures will be retained if needed.
| AP
Study: Getting COVID Vaccine While Pregnant Can Help Protect Baby
COVID antibodies could transferred across the placenta from a mother to the baby during pregnancy, the study suggests.
California Adopts Nation's 1st 'Endemic' Virus Policy
The SMARTER approach stands for Shots, Masks, Awareness, Readiness, Testing, Education and Rx, a reference to improving treatments for COVID-19.
| AP and James Packard
Nearly 75% Of Americans Are Immune To The Omicron Variant
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation, in conjunction with The Associated Press, released a study on COVID immunity.
Oscars To Require COVID Vaccination For Most Attendees
The decision was made as actors and crews returned to TV and movie sets.
President Biden To Deliver State Of The Union Speech To Full House
The announcement comes as White House is hoping to use the speech to nudge the pandemic into the nation’s rear-view mirror.
| Alex Livingston and AP
What To Know About Pandemic-Related 'Decision Fatigue'
Many people are questioning their everyday actions as a result of the pandemic.
| WFTS
Washington School District Votes To Defy Statewide Mask Mandate
The vote violates the state mandate, prompting the district's superintendent to cancel school until they can figure out how to implement the policy.
Estimated 73% Of U.S. Now Have Immune Protection From Omicron
Millions of individual Americans’ immune systems now recognize the virus and are primed to fight it off if they encounter Omicron, or another variant.
| AP and Jay Strubberg
More Virus Rules Fall As CDC Hints At Better Times Ahead
With variants waning and Americans eager to move on, government and business leaders have been out ahead of the CDC in ending virus measures.
| Maritsa Georgiou and AP
Truckers Protesting In Canada End Last U.S. Border Blockade
Ottowa police were handing out leaflets Wednesday warning truck drivers to leave immediately or risk arrest.
| AP
President Xi Urges Hong Kong To Get Control As COVID Cases Surge
China's leader Xi Jinping said it is the local government's "overriding task" to control the situation.
| AP
CDC Relaxes Cruise Ship COVID-19 Guidelines
The federal agency lowered cruise ship travel to a level 3 health notice.
Disney World, Disneyland Lift Mask Mandates For Some Spaces
Vaccinated guests will be required to wear masks on Disney transportation, but they won't have to wear them on rides or in other indoor locations.
How Long COVID Is Affecting Millions Of Americans' Wallets
One study found that more than half of U.S. adults who got COVID or lost income during the pandemic struggle with medical debt.
New York City Fires 1,430 City Workers For Defying Vaccine Mandate
Up to 4,000 workers faced a Friday deadline to provide proof of full vaccination status or face termination.
| AP
Unvaccinated Novak Djokovic Could Skip French Open, Wimbledon
The 20-time Grand Slam champion said he is still not vaccinated and is prepared to sacrifice titles to stay that way.
| AP
Canada's Trudeau Invokes Emergency Powers To Quell COVID-19 Protests
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is invoking the Emergencies Act, which gives the federal government broad powers to restore order.
| AP
Guaranteed Income Program Provides Stipend To Combat Pandemic Woes
The Cares Act and two private foundation partnerships are funding 18 families in Richmond, Virginia, with a $500 monthly check for two years.
Ontario To Drop Proof-Of-Vaccination Requirement Amid Protests
The premier of the Canadian province said people won't have to show proof of vaccination to get into restaurants, gyms and other places.
| AP
Camilla, Duchess Of Cornwall, Tests Positive For COVID-19
Prince Charles, 73, and Camilla, 74, are both triple-vaccinated.
| AP
Study: COVID Booster Effectiveness Wanes But Remains Strong
Vaccine effectiveness was higher in people who had received boosters than in people who had received only the original series of shots.
| Scripps News Staff and AP
Paris Police Fire Tear Gas To Disperse Banned Virus Protest
Nearly all French adults are vaccinated against COVID-19 and the protests have represented a small minority.
| Scripps News Staff and AP
In Reversal, FDA Puts Brakes On COVID Shots For Kids Under 5
The nation's 18 million children under 5 make up the only age group not yet eligible for vaccination.
| Maura Sirianni and AP
Report: New York City Set To Fire 3,000 Unvaccinated Workers
New York City is expected to fire up to 3,000 municipal workers for refusing to get vaccinated against the coronavirus.
Nevada Governor Rescinds Mask Mandate; Casinos Follow Suit
Gov. Steve Sisolak announced the state would no longer require face coverings in most places, including schools.
| AP
Prince Charles Isolating After Testing Positive For COVID-19
The royal residence Clarence House announced on Twitter that Prince Charles has tested positive for COVID-19.
| AP
Democratic Leaders Ease COVID Restrictions, Straying From Biden Admin.
Governors in blue states are dropping mask mandates while the CDC is keeping the guidance.
As State Mask Rules End, School Leaders Are In The Middle
The question of masks in schools has been so contentious that school board meetings have devolved into shouting matches, scuffles and arrests.
| Adi Guajardo and AP
