Multiple studies suggest lower risk of hospitalization with Omicron
Scientists warn that the picture could change as more people become ill with the highly transmissible new variant, and that health systems could still be overwhelmed.
Omicron Variant
U.K. works to contain Omicron variant
The United Kingdom is dealing with a wave of new COVID-19 cases as the Omicron variant spreads throughout the country. Now, Prime Minister Boris Johnson is facing pressure to contain it. CBS News contributor Simon Bates discusses how he might be able to steer his country through this latest surge in this week's installment of "London Calling."
FDA authorizes Pfizer pill to treat COVID
The Food and Drug Administration announced Wednesday it has authorized Pfizer's antiviral pill to treat COVID-19 as the new Omicron variant hits all 50 U.S. states. CBS News correspondent Nancy Chen reports on how the new strain is causing disruptions across the country. Then, CBS News correspondent Mark Strassman has the latest on Omicron's impact on travel as tens of millions of Americans hit the road for the holidays. And lastly, Dr. Elizabeth Clayborne, an adjunct assistant professor of emergency medicine at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, joins Elise Preston on CBSN to break down the day's headlines.
Pause on student loan repayments extended
On Wednesday, President Biden extended the pause on federal student loa repayments another 90 days, until May 1, 2022. CBS News chief Washington correspondent Major Garrett and CBS News' Elise Preston discuss the extension and the pressure the president is facing to address student loan debt on a larger scale.
NYC Corrections Department warns of COVID crisis at Rikers Island
The correction department's commissioner said the risk to inmates at the jail "are at a crisis level."
Omicron spike collides with holiday travel surge
The FDA authorized the first pill to treat COVID-19. The milestone comes as U.S. cases, hospitalizations and deaths are all rising, with health officials warning of a possible tsunami of new Omicron cases that could overwhelm hospitals. Nancy Chen has the details.
110 million expected to travel for the holidays
Despite the surge in COVID-19 cases, Americans don't want to spend another Christmas away from their families. Instead, they're hitting the roads and airports at near pre-pandemic levels. Mark Strassmann reports.
D.C. to require proof of vaccination for many indoor settings
"I don't make any of these types of decisions lightly," Mayor Muriel Bowser said.
U.S. struggles to meet COVID testing demand
As the highly contagious Omicron variant takes hold in the U.S., manufacturers and labs are struggling to keep up with testing demand. CBS News MoneyWatch reporter Megan Cerullo talks to CBSN's Tanya Rivero about the challenges posed by the pandemic.
CDC warns of spiking COVID-19 case numbers
As the Omicron variant continues to spread across the U.S., states and the federal government are taking new measures to try to mitigate COVID-19. CBS News' Nancy Chen reports, and Infectious disease specialist Dr. Rajeev Fernando joins CBSN to discuss the latest on the pandemic.
Biden's plan to fight Omicron variant
President Biden has unveiled new plans to help fight the spread of the highly contagious COVID-19 Omicron variant. The new steps include the government providing 500 million rapid at-home tests, adding more testing sites and deploying 1,000 members of the military to overwhelmed hospitals. CBS News senior White House and political correspondent Ed O'Keefe joins CBSN to discuss.
Fauci: Population immunity "entirely conceivable" despite Omicron surge
Fauci's remarks come as the U.S. faces a major spike of infections ahead of the holidays, with nearly 930,000 new cases over the last seven days.
At-home tests, vaccinations become key to safe holiday gatherings
President Biden is expected to emphasize CDC data that shows the unvaccinated are eight times more likely to be hospitalized and four times more likely to die from COVID.
Biden outlines plan to address Omicron variant
The Biden administration is unveiling new plans to fight the spread of the highly contagious Omicron coronavirus variant. CBS News correspondent Nancy Chen reports on the recent surge of COVID-19 cases in the country. Then, Dr. Ben Weston, an associate professor of emergency medicine at the Medical College of Wisconsin, joins CBSN's Elaine Quijano to discuss the latest.
Biden unveils strategy to combat Omicron
Starting in January, President Biden says Americans will have access to 500 million free, at-home COVID-19 tests. The White House says it is also planning to deploy U.S. military troops to overwhelmed hospitals and increase the number of vaccination sites as Omicron infections surge. CBS News senior White House and political correspondent Ed O'Keefe joins CBSN's Elaine Quijano with with more on the president's plan.
Biden launches new plan to combat Omicron
President Biden announced a series of new plans to help combat the rising coronavirus cases and bring relief to overwhelmed health care systems. Ed O'Keefe has the details.
Omicron threat grows ahead of holidays
The Omicron variant is spreading faster than any previous coronavirus strain by far. More than 250,000 new COVID-19 cases were reported in the U.S. on Monday, the highest level since September. Nancy Chen has the latest.
Omicron becomes dominant COVID strain in U.S.
Omicron has become the nation's most dominant strain of COVID-19 in a matter of weeks, prompting the Biden administration to announce Tuesday additional action to curb its spread. CBS News' Natalie Brand has more, and Dr. Len Horovitz, pulmonary specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, joins CBSN to discuss how the Omicron variant is affecting American's plans ahead of the holidays.
Omicron becomes most common variant in U.S.
The highly contagious Omicron variant is now the most prevalent in the U.S., outpacing Delta. And a new study found that Omicron is over five times more likely to re-infect someone who has already had COVID-19. Julie Wernau, a health and medicine reporter at the Wall Street Journal, joins CBSN's "Red & Blue" anchor Elaine Quijano with the details.
Biden addresses spike in Omicron cases
President Biden unveiled a new plan Tuesday to tackle the Omicron variant. CBSN's Lilia Luciano speaks with CBS News senior White House and political correspondent Ed O'Keefe and Dr. Anand Swaminathan, emergency medicine physician at St. Joseph's University Medical Center in New Jersey, about the new measures.
Omicron puts a "winter chill" on economic recovery
Restaurants shuttered, sporting events postponed and colleges sent students home early in what feels like a reprise of 2020.
COVID shutters some Broadway productions
Rising COVID-19 cases in New York City are forcing several Broadway shows to shut down during the industry's busiest week of the year. CBS News contributing correspondent Jamie Wax gives CBSN's Lilia Luciano an update.
Omicron's quick spread raises concerns
One week ahead of Christmas, federal health officials are seeing an uptick in COVID-19 cases primarily fueled by the Delta variant — with fears that holiday gatherings and the highly infectious Omicron variant will create yet another surge. The latest outbreak is triggering a nationwide push for Americans to get booster shots. Elise Preston reports.
Dr. Fauci on Omicron, breakthrough cases
Dr. Anthony Fauci joins "CBS Mornings" to discuss the latest on the Omicron variant, handling breakthrough cases in vaccinated people, and President Biden's message to Americans ahead of his address to the nation.
NBA has no plans to pause season amid virus surge
Seven NBA games have been postponed with more potentially in doubt, and over 100 players and coaches have entered the league's health and safety protocols.
Iowa approves pricy foreign-owned steel plant project in swing district
Jane Doe's attorney says "she was incapable of consent," alleges cover-up
Medical plane missing near Nantucket with 6 on board, authorities say
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