‘The fire that’s here’: US is still battling delta variant
While all eyes are on the new and little-understood omicron variant that is popping up around the country, the delta form of the coronavirus isn’t finished wreaking havoc in the U.S., swamping hospitals with record numbers of patients in the Midwest and New England.
Omicron reaches Hawaii
The omicron variant of the novel coronavirus has been found in Hawaii, the state Department of Health confirmed Thursday.
Closer to normal: County confirms restaurants, bars can operate at full capacity
Hawaii County officials confirmed Wednesday that Mayor Mitch Roth’s most recent emergency rule permits restaurants, bars, gyms and spas to operate at full capacity, with COVID-19 mitigation measures in place.
US reports 1st case of omicron variant in returning traveler
SAN FRANCISCO — The U.S. recorded its first confirmed case of the omicron variant Wednesday — in a vaccinated traveler who returned to California after a trip to South Africa — as scientists around the world race to establish whether the new, mutant version of the coronavirus is more dangerous than previous ones.
CDC expands omicron testing to four airports as direct flights continue from South Africa
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has expanded testing for the omicron variant of the coronavirus to four U.S. airports, including ones that continue to receive direct flights from South Africa, where the mutation was first identified.
White House plans to tighten travel rules over omicron threat
The Biden administration plans to tighten travel rules to combat the omicron variant of the coronavirus, by requiring all air travelers to the U.S. to be tested within a day of their departure regardless of vaccination status, according to a person familiar with the matter.
US panel backs first-of-a-kind COVID-19 pill from Merck
WASHINGTON — A panel of U.S. health advisers on Tuesday narrowly backed a closely watched COVID-19 pill from Merck, setting the stage for a likely authorization of the first drug that Americans could take at home to treat the coronavirus.
US tracking of virus variants has improved after slow start
After a slow start, the United States has improved its surveillance system for tracking new coronavirus variants such as omicron, boosting its capacity by tens of thousands of samples per week since early this year.
Roth relaxes restrictions: Gathering limits increased, capacity for restaurants, bars expanded
Hawaii County Mayor Mitch Roth on Tuesday relaxed some of the COVID restrictions in place on the Big Island.
Brazil and Japan report first cases of the omicron variant
Brazil and Japan joined the rapidly widening circle of countries to report cases of the omicron variant Tuesday, while new findings indicate the mutant coronavirus was already in Europe close to a week before South Africa sounded the alarm.
State corrects vaccination rates after booster report error
HONOLULU — Health officials had to revise the state’s coronavirus vaccination rate after providers counted booster shots as first doses.
Green hopeful that ‘what we’ve done so far is enough’ to guard against omicron variant
Lt. Gov. Josh Green said he’s “honestly concerned” about the newly discovered omicron variant of the novel coronavirus, but added that panic — especially in Hawaii — is premature.
WHO warns that new virus variant poses ‘very high’ risk
GENEVA — The World Health Organization warned Monday that the global risk from the omicron variant is “very high” based on the early evidence, saying the mutated coronavirus could lead to surges with “severe consequences.”
Biden vaccine rule for health workers blocked in 10 states
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — A federal judge on Monday blocked President Joe Biden’s administration from enforcing a coronavirus vaccine mandate on thousands of health care workers in 10 states that had brought the first legal challenge against the requirement.
CDC says all vaccinated US adults should get booster shots
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is now recommending booster shots for all vaccinated people 18 and older as scientists race to study the emerging omicron variant of SARS-CoV-2.
Northwest residents urged to stay alert as storms roll in
Weather officials urged Northwest residents to remain alert Sunday as more rain was predicted to fall in an area with lingering water from extreme weather earlier this month.
WHO criticizes travel bans on southern African countries
JOHANNESBURG — The World Health Organization on Sunday urged countries around the world not to impose flight bans on southern African nations due to concerns over the new omicron variant.
More omicron cases pop up as world rushes to learn more
THE HAGUE, Netherlands — Cases of the omicron variant of the coronavirus popped up in countries on opposite sides of the world Sunday and many governments rushed to close their borders even as scientists cautioned that it’s not clear if the new variant is more alarming than other versions of the virus.
Supreme Court set to take up all-or-nothing abortion fight
WASHINGTON — Both sides are telling the Supreme Court there’s no middle ground in Wednesday’s showdown over abortion. The justices can either reaffirm the constitutional right to an abortion or wipe it away altogether.
Omicron variant may already be in US, Fauci says
The omicron variant, a new strain of COVID-19 triggering panic worldwide, could already be in the United States.
