Omicron Variant News

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Omicron Variant

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Special Report: Biden speaks on fight against COVID

President Biden updated the nation on his administration's efforts to contain COVID-19, announcing that he was doubling and accelerating the U.S. order for a Pfizer antiviral pill, and also that insurance companies would reimburse Americans for home tests. He urged Americans to get vaccinations and boosters. CBS News chief White House correspondent Nancy Cordes and CBS News medical contributor Dr. David Agus join the CBS News Special Report to discuss the president's remarks.

Jan 4, 2022
14:53

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Education secretary on keeping schools open

President Joe Biden says he wants all schools to stay open despite concerns over the highly contagious Omicron variant. A growing number of school districts are adjusting their return from the holiday break because of COVID-19 outbreaks and staffing shortages. U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona joins CBSN's Nikki Battiste to discuss what his office is doing to help schools navigate the pandemic.

Jan 4, 2022
07:53

Omicron now 95% of new COVID infections in U.S., CDC estimates

The once-dominant Delta variant now makes up only a small fraction of cases around the country.

Jan 4, 2022

U.S. doubling and accelerating order of Pfizer antiviral pills

President Biden announced the increase and acceleration of the order on Tuesday.

Jan 4, 2022

FDA approves booster shots for some kids

The Food and Drug Administration has authorized booster shots for kids ages 12 to 15 and immunocompromised children ages 5 to 11, in response to the Omicron variant, which is driving a surge of COVID-19 infections in the U.S. Dr. Dyan Hes, founder of Gramercy Pediatrics, joins CBSN to discuss the latest coronavirus headlines.

Jan 4, 2022
08:11

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Pfizer's COVID-19 booster authorized for kids as young as 12

Millions of Americans as young as 12 could soon be able to get a booster shot of a COVID-19 vaccine after the FDA authorized third doses of Pfizer-BioNTech's shot for that age group. CBS News correspondent Meg Oliver reports on the latest step by the agency. Then, Dr. Mati Hlatshwayo Davis, an infectious disease physician at John Cochran VA Medical Center and the Director of Health for the city of St. Louis, joins Nancy Cordes on CBSN with her analysis.

Jan 3, 2022
11:45

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U.S. battles uptick in COVID cases as Omicron spreads

The FDA has authorized Pfizer booster shots for a select group of children. Vanderbilt University Medical Center professor Dr. William Schaffner joins CBSN's "Red & Blue" to discuss the latest U.S. efforts to combat COVID-19 and the Omicron variant.

Jan 3, 2022
07:23

Millions return to in-person classes despite huge jump in COVID cases

Districts that have opted for virtual learning this winter are firmly in the minority right now. Only about 100 of the nation's over 13,000 school districts are opting for virtual learning this winter despite surging case numbers.

Jan 3, 2022

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FDA expands access to Pfizer booster

The FDA authorized Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine booster shot for children between the ages of 12 and 15. The CDC is expected to rule on the decision later this week. It comes as Omicron cases surge nationwide and millions of kids return to school following the holidays. CBS News' Wendy Gillette reports, and then Professor Jodie Guest, vice chair of the Department of Epidemiology at the Rollins School of Public Health at Emory University, joins CBSN to discuss the latest in the fight against COVID-19.

Jan 3, 2022
07:00

FDA authorizes booster for ages 12 to 15

As COVID-19 cases surge across the U.S. the FDA has authorized Pfizer booster shots for children ages 12 to 15. CBS News correspondent Meg Oliver reports on how schools are proceeding with their return to class. Then Dr. Rajeev Fernando, who specializes in global infectious diseases, joins CBSN to discuss the latest on the pandemic.

Jan 3, 2022
09:55

Fast-growing Omicron wave could hit India hard

While its caseload is a fraction of what the U.S. is seeing, India has only vaccinated 63% of its adults, children just started getting jabs this week, and nobody has had a booster shot yet.

Jan 3, 2022

Gottlieb says Omicron appears to be a "milder strain" of COVID-19, but pediatric danger remains

Gottlieb also noted that places that have been hard hit early by Omicron are as soon as "two weeks away from peaking, but the rest of the country probably faces a hard month ahead of us."

Jan 3, 2022

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Judge strikes down president's vaccine mandate

A federal judge has ruled that President Joe Biden cannot require teachers in the federal Head Start early education program to be vaccinated against COVID. Meanwhile, the Omicron variant surges through America, as daily cases surpass 386,000.

Jan 2, 2022
02:33

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Cardona on reopening schools

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona tells "Face the Nation" that he believes "very firmly" that "children belong in the classroom" despite the Omicron COVID-19 surge.

Jan 2, 2022
06:17

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Omicron's "staggering" spread

COVID-19 records are being broken daily with an average of 365,000 new cases a day. CBS News national correspondent Mark Strassmann on the new year of the COVID chronicles.

Jan 2, 2022
03:11

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COVID cases, inflation and taxes rise in U.K.

In the U.K., COVID cases are rising, inflation is up and energy prices could rise by 50% in the new year. Simon Bates has more in his segment London Calling.

Jan 2, 2022
02:15

Omicron continues to upend sports

As COVID-19 continues to surge across the U.S., the professional and college sports landscape is being thrown back into chaos. Games are being cancelled or postponed and players are testing positive. Johnathan Vigliotti reports.

Jan 1, 2022
01:37

COVID-19 continues to disrupt holiday travel

The coronavirus continues to plague holiday travel. The recent surge in cases has left airlines with employee shortages and bad weather has only made things worse. Tom Wait reports.

Jan 1, 2022
01:57

World rings in the new year as Omicron cases surge

As 2022 begins, the U.S. is averaging nearly 400,000 a day, up a staggering 200% over the last two weeks. The CDC warns the Omicron fueled surge is incredibly dangerous for the unvaccinated. Elise Preston reports.

Jan 1, 2022
02:33

New Year's celebrations affected by COVID

The U.S. begins 2022 with record-high new coronavirus cases. The nation reported more than 2 million new cases over the past seven days, beating the previous record of 1.7 million set last January. CBS News reporter Alexander Tin gives Bradley Blackburn an update on CBSN.

Jan 1, 2022
10:28

Times Square New Year's Eve 2022 Celebration

New Year's celebrations toned down as COVID cases hit record highs

2022 is the third calendar year of dealing with the coronavirus pandemic

Jan 1, 2022

Omicron forcing change in NYE celebrations

The Omicron variant of COVID-19 has forced millions of people around the world to change their New Year's Eve plans. CBS News' Elise Preston reports and Dr. John Moore, professor of microbiology and immunology at Weill Cornell Medical College joins CBSN to discuss the surge and how it will affect New Year's celebrations.

Dec 31, 2021
10:21

U.S. posts record-breaking daily COVID cases

COVID cases are soaring across the U.S., but hospitalizations remain "comparatively low," according to the CDC. The U.S. set a new one-day record on Wednesday of nearly half a million new COVID cases. Nikki Battiste reports.

Dec 31, 2021
01:16

South Africa lifts curfew, saying COVID-19 fourth wave has peaked

A ban on alcohol sales after 11 p.m. has also been ended. South Africa is where the Omicron variant was first detected. New infections fell almost 30 percent last week.

Dec 31, 2021

Covid-19 Test Locations As Omicron Spread Continues

U.S. reports nearly 500,000 COVID-19 cases in a single day

The staggering number comes as the Omicron variant continues to spread across the nation.

Dec 30, 2021

GOP senator blocks promotion of general involved in Afghanistan withdrawal

Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue was slated to be promoted to a four-star rank and take command of the U.S. Army in Europe.

updated 33M ago

Here's who Trump has picked for Cabinet and other top jobs

Here's a list of people President-elect Donald Trump has chosen for critical Cabinet posts and top White House jobs.

2H ago

Trump picks former White House aide Brooke Rollins to lead the USDA

The sprawling U.S. Department of Agriculture controls policies, regulations and aid programs related to farming, forestry, ranching, food quality and nutrition.

1H ago

Trump Ally Bessent Says Yellen Using Post To Aid Biden 2024 Bid

Trump selects Scott Bessent for Treasury secretary

Scott Bessent, the founder of the Connecticut-based hedge fund Key Square Group, had been making a full-court press for the post.

8H ago

Fearing deportation, some Haitian migrants are leaving Springfield, Ohio

Most Haitian migrants in Springfield, Ohio, live there legally through Temporary Protected Status, which President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to end.

21H ago

Singer-songwriter Khalid comes out as gay after being outed

The Grammy nominee, 26, posted a rainbow flag emoji and short statement, then added in another post that he had been "outted."

6H ago

$20 million settlement reached in death of woman fatally shot by officer

Teresa Gomez, 45, was fatally shot in 2023 after a Las Cruces police officer on a bicycle approached her while she sat in a parked car with another person, authorities said.

4H ago

Dartmouth sorority, fraternity members charged in student's drowning death

Police in New Hampshire, where Dartmouth is located, announced that Alpha Phi was charged with one count of facilitating an underage alcohol house.

6H ago

U.S.

More U.S.

GOP senator blocks promotion of general involved in Afghanistan withdrawal

Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue was slated to be promoted to a four-star rank and take command of the U.S. Army in Europe.

updated 33M ago

Trump picks former White House aide Brooke Rollins to lead the USDA

The sprawling U.S. Department of Agriculture controls policies, regulations and aid programs related to farming, forestry, ranching, food quality and nutrition.

1H ago

North America, USA, South Dakota, Badlands National Park Monument Sign

North Dakota Badlands national monument proposed with tribes' support

This would be North Dakota's first national monument, a proposal several tribal nations say would preserve the area's indigenous and cultural heritage.

4H ago

$20 million settlement reached in death of woman fatally shot by officer

Teresa Gomez, 45, was fatally shot in 2023 after a Las Cruces police officer on a bicycle approached her while she sat in a parked car with another person, authorities said.

4H ago

Dartmouth sorority, fraternity members charged in student's drowning death

Police in New Hampshire, where Dartmouth is located, announced that Alpha Phi was charged with one count of facilitating an underage alcohol house.

6H ago

MoneyWatch

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Who is Scott Bessent? What to know about Trump's Treasury secretary pick.

If confirmed, Bessent would runn the department that manages the nation's finances as well as its tax agency, the Internal Revenue Service.

Nov 22

Trump selects Scott Bessent for Treasury secretary

Scott Bessent, the founder of the Connecticut-based hedge fund Key Square Group, had been making a full-court press for the post.

8H ago

Walmart Semi-Truck Traveling On The Interstate

Walmart must pay driver it accused of fraud $35 million, jury says

A jury ruled that Walmart must pay a former employee almost $35 million after finding that the retailer defamed him.

Nov 22

Eggs are getting scarcer and pricier ahead of the holidays. Here's why.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza — also known as bird flu — is killing layer hens and reducing the nation's egg supply.

Nov 22

Supreme Court takes up FCC fund dispute over subsidies for rural telecom services

The Universal Service Fund was created by Congress in 1996.

Nov 22

Politics

More Politics

GOP senator blocks promotion of general involved in Afghanistan withdrawal

Lt. Gen. Christopher Donahue was slated to be promoted to a four-star rank and take command of the U.S. Army in Europe.

updated 33M ago

Trump picks former White House aide Brooke Rollins to lead the USDA

The sprawling U.S. Department of Agriculture controls policies, regulations and aid programs related to farming, forestry, ranching, food quality and nutrition.

1H ago

Trump meets with NATO head in Florida for talks on global security

In a brief statement, NATO said Trump and its secretary general, Mark Rutte, met on Friday in Palm Beach, Florida.

11H ago

A Special Screening Of The HBO Documentary Film 'Bleed Out'

Trump nominates Marty Makary, who opposed COVID vaccine mandates, to head FDA

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated a critic of COVID-19 health measures to lead the Food and Drug Administration.

21H ago

Trump selects Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer as Labor secretary

Republican Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon, who narrowly lost her reelection bid earlier this month, received strong backing from union members in her district.

20H ago

HealthWatch

More HealthWatch

New treatments offer hope for older patients with a deadly cancer diagnosis

Glioblastoma typically kills within 18 months, but a new type of treatment has kept Nadya El-Afandi's scans clear 17 months after diagnosis.

8H ago

1 infant dead in California, 9 hospitalized in latest listeria outbreak

Laboratory findings show that Yu-Shang Food ready-to-eat meat and poultry products were making people sick, the CDC said.

23H ago

E. coli outbreak in St. Louis sickens 106, hospitalizes 2

More than half of the cases involve students, parents and guests of Rockwood Summit High School who attended events where food from Andre's Banquets and Catering was served.

Nov 22

What to know about the newly identified chemical in U.S. drinking water

Researchers have identified a chemical in certain tap water across the United States as chloronitramide anion. Here's what to know.

Nov 22

Whole Foods organic carrots and celery recalled amid E. coli outbreak

Whole Foods Market stores in five states sold recalled carrots and celery sticks that could contain E. coli.

Nov 22

World

More World

Nations at COP29 climate talks agree on $300 billion a year for poor countries

The $300 billion will go to developing countries who need the cash to wean themselves off coal, oil and gas.

20M ago

In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russian President Vladimir Putin delivers a speech in Saint Petersburg on Sept. 12, 2024.

Russia bans child adoption from countries that allow gender transition

The adoption ban would apply to at least 15 countries, most of them in Europe, and Australia, Argentina and Canada.

5H ago

Kayaker's leg amputated after 20-hour rescue to free him from rocks

Officials said the man, a tourist in his 60s, was kayaking with friends in the Franklin River when he slipped and became trapped.

8H ago

Israeli airstrikes kill at least 20 in Beirut as diplomats push for cease-fire

The strikes, which destroyed an eight-story building and left a crater in the ground, were the fourth in Beirut in less than a week.

2H ago

A craving for good food flips gender roles in Italy

Around the world, women cook more meals per week than men, but Italy serves as the exception to the rule.

9H ago

Entertainment

More Entertainment

Singer-songwriter Khalid comes out as gay after being outed

The Grammy nominee, 26, posted a rainbow flag emoji and short statement, then added in another post that he had been "outted."

6H ago

Jonathan Majors' ex-girlfriend drops assault and defamation lawsuit

Lawyers for actor Jonathan Majors and Grace Jabbari agreed to dismiss the case with prejudice, according to a joint filing in Manhattan federal court.

9H ago

The Coward Brothers perform "Early Shirley"

The Coward Brothers — better known as Elvis Costello and T Bone Burnett — began playing together more than 40 years ago, but until this week, the duo hadn't released any new music since 2006. Now, their new, self-titled album is earning critical acclaim. Now, from "The Coward Brothers," here are the Coward Brothers with "Early Shirley."

10H ago
03:00

The Coward Brothers on new album

The Coward Brothers — better known as Elvis Costello and T Bone Burnett — began playing together more than 40 years ago, but until this week, the duo hadn't released any new music since 2006. Now, their new, self-titled album is earning critical acclaim. The pair opened up to CBS Saturday Morning about their fictional personas and that long hiatus earlier this week.

10H ago
03:58

The Coward Brothers perform "Tipsy Woman"

10H ago
04:35

Technology

More Technology

Technology

Who has the best Black Friday tech prices?

Black Friday is almost here, but some of the hottest tech items are already on sale. CNET senior editor Lisa Eadicicco joins CBS News to discuss high-demand gifts and what retailers offer the best prices.

Nov 22
03:28

AI grandma fights back against scammers

Daisy's mission is two-fold: To waste scammers' time so they can't speak to real people and to draw attention to fraud by warning consumers to be vigilant.

Nov 22

How AI powered robots are helping small farms

From labor shortages to environmental impacts, farmers are looking to AI to help revolutionize the agriculture industry. One California startup, Farm-ng, is tapping into the power of AI and robotics to perform a wide range of tasks, including seeding, weeding and harvesting.

Mar 28
03:27

Australia could ban social media for kids

Australian legislators introduced a landmark bill Thursday to ban social media for children under 16. CBS News London's Leigh Kiniry reports on what this could mean for social media companies.

Nov 21
01:46

DOJ targets Google's search engine monopoly

The Department of Justice on Wednesday filed a motion calling for Google to sell its Chrome search engine, arguing in court documents that "the playing field is not level." The Justice Department is also recommending dissolving any contracts in which Google is the default search engine on devices such as iPhones. Kelly O'Grady explains.

Nov 21
01:57

Science

More Science

Science

How are U.S. winters permanently changing?

This winter, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicted above-average temperatures throughout the U.S. because of a "slowly developing" La Niña pattern. CBS News Sacramento meteorologist Tracy Humphrey reports on the changing winter conditions.

Nov 22
03:56

Emperor penguin found on Australian beach released at sea after 20 days of care

The only emperor penguin known to have swum from Antarctica to Australia was released at sea 20 days after he waddled ashore on a popular tourist beach.

Nov 22

Iceland volcano flares in region's 7th eruption in one year

A volcano erupted in southern Iceland, near the town of Grindavík and the Blue Lagoon spa, marking the region's seventh eruption in a year.

Nov 21

How collecting pine cones helps renew Oregon forests after wildfires

Conservationists are teaming up with the U.S. Forest Service and logging companies to clear scorched land and make room for new reforestation projects.

Nov 20

Restoring forests decimated by wildfires

Large wildfires fueled by climate change have destroyed tens of millions of acres of forests in the Pacific Northwest in recent years. Jonathan Vigliotti explores a major effort underway to restore those forests.

Nov 20
03:34

Crime

More Crime

$20 million settlement reached in death of woman fatally shot by officer

Teresa Gomez, 45, was fatally shot in 2023 after a Las Cruces police officer on a bicycle approached her while she sat in a parked car with another person, authorities said.

4H ago

MEXICO-VIOLENCE-CRIME-DRUGS-TOURISM-CULTURE

Police chief kills himself as troops close in to arrest him in Mexico

The police chief killed himself with his own weapon as marines, National Guard and soldiers closed in to try to arrest him, prosecutors said.

6H ago

U.S. accuses former Colombia general of extrajudicial killings

Former general Mario Montoya and his family are barred from traveling to the U.S., Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

Nov 22

4.78 tons of cocaine, $193,000 in cash found in shipping containers

Prosecutors said eight people were detained following searches carried out in Belgium and the Netherlands earlier this month.

Nov 22

84-year-old Texas man accused of killing roommate and her dog

The man was arrested on an unrelated carjacking warrant and admitted to killing his roommate and her pet.

Nov 22

Space

More Space

Blue Origin launches 6 tourists to the edge of space

Marc and Sharon Hagle, both making their second space flight, were among the passengers for the NS-28 mission.

Nov 22

Blue Origin launches 9th space tourism flight

The ninth Blue Origin space tourism flight launched from West Texas Friday morning. CBS News space consultant Bill Harwood and space expert Scott Heidler offered analysis of the flight.

Nov 22
13:00

Trump, Musk attend SpaceX launch

President-elect Donald Trump attended SpaceX's sixth flight test of its Super Heavy-Starship on Tuesday with CEO Elon Musk. The burgeoning friendship between the two men played a key role in Trump's reelection, with Musk now set to run a government efficiency agency in the coming months. CBS News political reporter Jake Rosen and Politico aviation reporter Oriana Pawlyk join "America Decides" with more.

Nov 19
10:13

SpaceX launches Super Heavy-Starship, with Trump there to watch

President-elect Donald Trump was on hand with Elon Musk for the sixth test flight of SpaceX's huge Super Heavy-Starship rocket.

Nov 19

Far side of the moon once had erupting volcanoes, lunar soil shows

Researchers analyzed lunar soil brought back by China's Chang'e-6, the first spacecraft to return with a haul of rocks and dirt from the little-explored far side.

Nov 15

Latest Galleries

More Latest Galleries

Notable Deaths in 2024

A look back at the esteemed personalities who've left us this year, who'd touched us with their innovation, creativity and humanity.

Nov 18
72 photos

Serial killer Rodney Alcala's secret photos

See some of convicted serial killer Rodney Alcala's photographs that were discovered by detectives in a Seattle storage locker.

Nov 7
67 photos

The troubled marriage of Ashley and Doug Benefield

The seesaw marriage between the former ballerina and her much older husband only lasted four years, until she shot him on Sept. 27, 2020.

Sep 5
20 photos

Evidence in "The Dexter Killer" case

A look at the evidence in "The Dexter Killer" case; plus, newly revealed letters from the man police say wanted to be like fictional serial killer Dexter Morgan.

Aug 14
26 photos

Summer music heats up 2024

Live performances are in full swing this summer. Scroll through our concert gallery, featuring pictures by CBS News photojournalist Jake Barlow and photographers Ed Spinelli and Kirstine Walton.

Sep 29
150 photos

Latest CBS News Videos

The Coward Brothers perform "Early Shirley"

10H ago
03:00

The Coward Brothers on new album

The Coward Brothers — better known as Elvis Costello and T Bone Burnett — began playing together more than 40 years ago, but until this week, the duo hadn't released any new music since 2006. Now, their new, self-titled album is earning critical acclaim. The pair opened up to CBS Saturday Morning about their fictional personas and that long hiatus earlier this week.

10H ago
03:58

The Coward Brothers perform "Tipsy Woman"

10H ago
04:35

Behind the wheel of priceless car collection

This morning, we travel to Los Angeles to explore an American entrepreneur's priceless car collection. It's a thing of beauty fittingly built by a cosmetics empire — and the collection is now so large it can't fit under one roof.

10H ago
03:48

The Dish: Andrew Zimmern

Today in a special Thanksgiving edition of the Dish, Dana Jacobson sits down with chef, cookbook author and social activist Andrew Zimmern. He's made a name for himself with his activist persona and versatile cooking, earning recognition and awards — including an Emmy. But when it comes to Thanksgiving, Zimmern takes time to reflect on the darker times of his life — and celebrates where he is now.

10H ago
07:51