Navy discharges 1st active-duty sailors for vaccine refusal

The Navy said Tuesday that it has discharged 23 active-duty sailors for refusing the coronavirus vaccine, marking the first time it has thrown currently serving sailors out of the military over the mandatory shots.

South Carolina bill would make it illegal to ask vaccine status

The potential penalty for asking someone about their COVID-19 vaccine status would carry a $14,000 fine and up to one year in jail.

Boston patient removed from heart-transplant list because he’s not vaccinated against COVID: report

The parents of a 31-year-old in need of a heart transplant at Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital said their son has been removed from the transplant list because he has not been vaccinated for COVID-19, according to a report.

COVID Pandemic: Hopeful signs emerge as infections slow

While coronavirus numbers in the Northeast U.S. have started to level off, other parts of the country are still seeing a surge. Dr. Anthony Fauci hopes the level of infections will continue to drop below what he calls an area of control.

NY COVID rates continue to fall, lowest number since mid-December

Nationwide, infection rates fell week-over-week in 19 states, with the northeast, which had seen the biggest numbers of new cases, now seeing a 40 percent drop.

Fauci: Omicron COVID-19 infections likely to peak in February

Dr. Anthony Fauci said he was "as confident as you can be" that states will hit their highest point of infections in February

Minnesota man dies from COVID-19 after family fought to keep his ventilator on

A Buffalo, Minnesota man has died battling COVID-19, almost a week after being moved to Texas for care following a lawsuit over his ventilator.

Teacher gives COVID vaccine to teen, Long Island prosecutors say

A Long Island teacher was arraigned on a felony charge after she was accused of illegally giving a coronavirus vaccine to a teenager.

NY COVID positivity rate hits single digits, school mask mandate stays

Despite the positivity rate dropping, Hochul said she is not willing to commit to lifting the state's school mask mandate on February 21, when it is set to expire.

CDC: Vaccine, previous infection offered added protection against delta

A recent CDC report found that those who were vaccinated and survived a COVID-19 infection were more protected from delta than those who were vaccinated but did not previously contract the virus

Omicron Variant: Booster shots needed, CDC studies show

Newly released studies indicate that available vaccines are less effective against omicron than earlier versions of the coronavirus, but also that boosters significantly improve protection.

California bill would allow preteens to get vaxed without parents' consent

Sen. Scott Wiener’s bill would lift the parental requirement for that age group for any vaccine that has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

NY COVID numbers plunge again

The state's rolling seven-day case average is down 47.1 percent from last week, while new cases per 100,000 residents are declining in every one of the state's 10 regions.

Mask enforcement a problem for some Long Island schools

Some teachers at Connetquot High School are blaming the district and school board for not enforcing the indoor mask mandate.

NJ requiring vaccination for health care workers, ending test option

The order means that health care workers who are unvaccinated will have until Jan. 27 to get their first shot and until Feb. 28 for the second.