California governor says help is on the way for state's fatigued healthcare workers

California Gov. Gavin Newsom said during a press briefing Wednesday that help is in the way for the state’s healthcare workers who are "emotionally and physically" exhausted.

Noodle Belly owner donates 10,000 KN95 masks to Oakland high school students

Eugene Lee, whose restaurant is next to the Fruitvale BART station, decided to donate after he learned there is a pressing need from teachers and students who want higher quality masks during the omicron surge.

As omicron surges, more Bay Area school sickouts are planned for this week

Educators at more Bay Area schools are planning sick-outs this week: They say the move is needed to put pressure on school districts to provide more COVID safety measures.

Biden administration to send schools additional 10M COVID-19 tests per month

The White House said it will send 5 million rapid COVID-19 tests and 5 million lab-based PCR tests to schools each month in an effort to keep them open.

Unauthorized COVID test site in San Francisco has murky ties

An unauthorized COVID test site in San Francisco with murky connections is on the radar of the city attorney.

San Jose City Council approves booster-shot requirement at city-owned facilities

San Jose City Council on Tuesday approved COVID-19 booster shot requirements to access large indoor events at city-owned buildings. The new rule impacts both city workers and the public. 

Sonoma County imposes COVID restrictions

Sonoma County is imposing restrictions that prohibit some large indoor gatherings and encourage people to stay home as much as possible.

Cold medicine shortage: COVID surge, flu season leading to empty shelves

Shoppers across DFW are encountering medicine shelves that are empty or close to it. One employee at an East Dallas pharmacy called it "the new toilet paper shortage.”

Bay Area school district reopens after deep cleaning, teacher shortages persist

At Korematsu Middle School in El Cerrito Tuesday, school was back in session after a four-day weekend where the district had each school deep cleaned.

California makes it easier to hire teachers amid shortages

California is making it easier for school districts to hire teachers and other employees amid staffing shortages brought on by the latest surge in coronavirus cases, the governor said Tuesday. 

Omicron may be headed for a rapid drop in US and Britain

Scientists are seeing signals that COVID-19′s alarming omicron wave may have peaked in Britain and is about to do the same in the U.S., at which point cases may start dropping off dramatically.

Fauci Senate hearing on pandemic gets testy: ‘What a moron’

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the U.S. government’s top infectious disease expert, angrily accused Senator Rand Paul of making false accusations that are leading to threats against him -- all to raise political cash.

Family accuses employer of making their loved one work on-site despite pleas to work remotely

A family is accusing a Riverside County employer of not letting their beloved family member with pre-existing conditions work remotely during a COVID-19 surge. He died in February 2021.

Health officials let COVID-infected nurses and healthcare workers keep working

California health authorities announced over the weekend that hospital staff members who test positive but are symptom-free can continue working. Some hospitals in Rhode Island and Arizona have likewise told employees they can stay on the job if they have no symptoms or just mild ones.

US finalizing plans to ship free COVID-19 tests via USPS, shares 1st contracts

The White House is finalizing plans to ship free at-home COVID-19 tests to Americans nationwide and has awarded its first contracts as part of this pledge.

Oakland School for the Arts temporarily shuts down for COVID

Oakland School for the Arts has shutdown for the remainder of the week, blaming staff shortages because of quarantines.

New Sonoma County health order prohibits large gatherings through mid-February

Sonoma County's public health officer issued an order that prohibits gatherings of more than 50 people indoors or more than 100 people outdoors. Situations exempt from the health order include schools, outdoor recess, workplace settings, courthouse activities, places of worship, cafeterias, but also shopping malls, stores, restaurants/food facilities and museums.