Health & Safety
First detected in South Africa, omicron cases are rising rapidly there
NPR's A Martinez talks to Wolfgang Preiser, head of medical virology at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, about what he and his team have learned about the omicron variant.
Michigan experiences its 4th COVID surge — the nation's highest case rate
Michigan has more COVID-19 hospitalizations than ever. This surge is coming at the same time hospitals are also getting hit with waves of non-COVID patients, who delayed care during the pandemic.
News brief: omicron variant, landmark abortion case, high school shooting
There is still not much known about the newest coronavirus variant. The Supreme Court considers the future of abortion in the U.S. In Michigan, people are mourning after the latest school shooting.
Stocks tumble as investors weighed potential effects from omicron variant
The stock market took a dive on Tuesday, as investors fretted about the new coronavirus variant and the prospect of more long-lasting inflation.
Pfizer wants the FDA to let 16- and 17- year-olds get a COVID-19 booster shot
Pfizer's CEO says the vaccine maker has asked federal regulators to authorize boosters for 16- and 17-year-olds. Currently, only people 18 and over are eligible for a booster in the U.S.
New antiviral drugs are coming for COVID. Here's what you need to know
The FDA is considering new pills that could treat people in early stages of COVID. Here's what to know about how they work, how effective they are and the impact they could make on the pandemic.
As U.S. races to detect and track omicron, patchwork surveillance makes that tough
What's the U.S. doing to watch out for the omicron variant? Here's the work underway and the challenges that experts say may slow down the country's efforts.
African leaders condemn travel restrictions as omicron variant spreads globally
African nations are bristling at the restrictions imposed on them by rich countries — and say they are harmful to local economies and discriminate against countries in the region.
An FDA panel supports Merck COVID drug in mixed vote
If the Food and Drug Administration authorizes use of the drug, called molnupiravir, it would be the first oral COVID-19 treatment that could be taken at home.