86% of restaurants, bars waiting for COVID-19 relief could close, IRC says

The Independent Restaurant Coalition is asking for Congress to replenish the Restaurant Revitalization Fund to help restaurants and bars still struggling to stay afloat during the COVID-19 pandemic.

US colleges opting for online classes amid omicron surge

Amid a wave of COVID-19 cases driven by the omicron variant, dozens of colleges are making plans to move classes online for at least the first week of the semester.

COVID-19 antiviral pills now available at Walmart and Sam's Club

Walmart and Sam's Club are offering antiviral COVID-19 medications at select stores with a prescription from a healthcare provider.

New Year's Eve: Omicron mutes celebrations as many hope for better 2022

New Year's Eve celebrations were muted or canceled in many places around the world for the second straight year due to a surge of COVID-19 infections.

California prisons fight virus outbreaks amid staff concerns

The twice-weekly testing requirement applies to about 10,000 unvaccinated corrections employees, nearly a third of whom weren’t complying from mid-October through mid-November, according to the most recent data provided by corrections officials. Yet the state’s figures show fewer than 20 employees were disciplined during the same time frame.

JetBlue cuts 1,280 flights through mid-January amid omicron challenges

JetBlue is proactively cutting about 1,280 flights beginning Thursday through mid-January 2022 in anticipation of more COVID-19 cases among its crew.

Mill Valley family takes COVID testing to new level ahead of New Year's Eve party

A family from Mill Valley is requiring guests for their New Year's Eve house party be vaccinated, boosted and sign up for a PCR test at their house hours before the event to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

CDC monitors, investigates at least 73 cruise ships following COVID-19 outbreaks

As of Monday, 73 cruise ships were sailing at yellow or orange status, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ships with orange or yellow status are currently being monitored or investigated due to suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 on board.

New COVID-19 cases in US hit pandemic high amid omicron surge

The seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. was 265,427 on Tuesday, well over the previous record set in mid-January, according to Johns Hopkins.

CDC director: Omicron variant mostly mild so far

The chief of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says more than 40 people in the country have been found to be infected with the omicron variant so far and more than three-quarters of them had been vaccinated.

Doctors advise against cloth masks to prevent spread of COVID-19

Doctors are advising against wearing cloth masks to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Instead, wear a surgical mask or N-95.

Apple closes New York City stores to in-person shopping

The list of COVID-induced closures, cancellations, and changes continues to grow in New York City. Apple has closed its locations in the city to in-store shopping.

COVID-19 testing sites create long lines as at-home kits become scarce

In New York City, drugstores posted signs alerting customers that they sold out of tests. In Atlanta, drugstores ran out of home tests, and police shut down testing sites as traffic backed up a half-mile or more.

CDC shortens COVID-19 quarantine recommendation to 5 days

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention officials said the guidance is in keeping with growing evidence that people with the coronavirus are most infectious in the two days before and three days after symptoms develop.