omicron

The World Health Organization warns of very high risk posed by the omicron variant

5:16pm November 29, 2021

by Scott Neuman

The newly identified strain of the coronavirus, which could be more transmissible than the previously dominant delta variant, has global health officials worried about a possible new surge in cases.

Travelers exit the International Arrivals area at Dulles International Airport in Dulles, Virginia, on Monday. The Biden administration is banning travel for non-U.S. citizens from several African countries over concerns about the omicron variant.

The U.S. restricts travel from 8 countries as omicron variant spreads

5:12pm November 29, 2021

by Tien Le

President Biden has restricted travel from eight southern African countries in an effort to slow the spread of the omicron variant.

Anthony Fauci (right), director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and chief medical adviser to the president, speaks alongside President Biden following a meeting of the COVID-19 response team at the White House on Monday.

The omicron variant is cause for concern — but not panic, Biden says

3:40pm November 29, 2021

by Brian Naylor

President Biden said that while restrictions imposed on travelers from several nations in southern Africa would slow the variant's entry, the U.S. will eventually see cases.

People line up to get on the Air France flight to Paris at OR Tambo's airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, on Nov. 26. The United States, Israel and other European nations have already imposed travel restrictions on South Africa and other nations in the

As omicron spreads, studies suggest that travel bans alone don't do much good

10:08pm November 28, 2021

Public health experts warn that the rush to impose travel bans on southern African countries after the omicron variant was identified can work against scientific transparency.

President Biden speaks to media as he arrives on Air Force One at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., on Sunday after returning from Nantucket, Mass., after spending the Thanksgiving holiday there.

Omicron variant spreads to North America, Australia and more of Europe

6:49pm November 28, 2021

by Deepa Shivaram

President Biden received a briefing from his medical task force, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, who said that "inevitably" the omicron variant will turn up in the U.S.