Israel health officials confirm 7 omicron COVID-19 cases, 27 others suspected

Israel's Health Ministry says it has confirmed seven cases of the new omicron variant of the coronavirus, stoking fears of a pending surge in infections.

FDA expands emergency use of 2 COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatments to infants

Monoclonal antibodies are proteins made in a lab which copy the human immune system’s ability to fight off harmful pathogens such as the novel coronavirus, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Biden administration extends mask mandate for public transit through March

The Biden administration is extending a federal mask mandate for public transportation into mid-March, the White House announced on Thursday.

Philadelphia reports first case of COVID-19 omicron variant

A Northwest Philadelphia man in his 30s has tested positive for the COVID-19 omicron variant, according to the health department.

Omicron COVID-19 variant detected in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has confirmed its first case of the omicron variant of the coronavirus in an unvaccinated person who returned from Nigeria.

Study suggests past COVID-19 infection may not fend off omicron variant

A research group has been tracking reinfections in South Africa and reported a jump with the arrival of omicron that they hadn't seen when two previous variants, including the extra-contagious delta variant, moved through the country.

1 in 100 currently infected with virus in Germany

Germany’s health minister says more than 1% of the population is currently infected with the coronavirus.

5 cases of omicron variant detected in New York

At least five people in New York have been infected with the omicron variant of the coronavirus. Four of the cases are in New York City and one is in Suffolk County.

De Blasio requiring COVID vaccines for employees at private schools

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio is extending his order requiring COVID-19 vaccines to include teachers and staff at private and religious schools.

1st confirmed omicron variant case in Minnesota connected to NY anime convention

The first case of the omicron variant of COVID-19 has been confirmed in Minnesota, the Minnesota Department of Health announced Thursday. The confirmation comes one day after the first U.S. cases of the omicron variant were detected in California.

Vaccine inequity: Global initiative to share shots struggles to meet goal

The vaccine alliance that helps run COVAX warned in internal documents that a substantial number of doses might only show up in late 2022 or even 2023.

NFL suspends Bucs' Antonio Brown, Mike Edwards for violating COVID-19 protocols

The NFL has suspended Antonio Brown and Mike Edwards of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for violating the league's COVID-19 protocols after finding they misrepresented their vaccination status.

Paley Center reopens after 21-month pandemic shutdown

The onset of the pandemic forced The Paley Center to shut down in March 2020. It continued some programs online but has finally reopened to visitors.

Omicron COVID-19 case detected in Colorado

Colorado Gov. Jared Polis tweeted for the public to not “panic” and further stressed the need for Coloradans to get vaccinated or boosted as well as adhere to preventative health guidelines.

Amid omicron COVID-19 variant worries, US still battling delta wave

While all eyes are on the new and little-understood omicron variant, the delta form of the coronavirus isn’t finished wreaking havoc in the U.S., sending record numbers of patients to the hospital in some states, especially in the Midwest and New England.

Biden's new winter COVID-19 plan includes reimbursement for at-home tests

Biden is unveiling a winter plan to combat COVID-19 and its new omicron variant with more availability of shots and vaccines but without major new restrictions.

Thousands of COVID vaccine doses wasted in NY

New data exclusively obtained by Fox 5 News shows that thousands and thousands of COVID vaccine doses had to be thrown away this past year.