In-person gathering at The Grove in San Francisco for World AIDS Day

Wednesday's World AIDS Day was observed at The Grove in San Francisco. It was the first time since the COVID pandemic that observers were able to meet in person.

Greece to impose monthly fine on unvaccinated residents over 60

Greek residents have until Jan. 16 to get their first jabs, or will be fined 100 euros ($113) for every month they remain unvaccinated.

UCSF doctor detects 1st U.S. omicron case in 8 hours

Doctors at a UCSF lab worked fast to confirm the first COVID omicron case in the country, pinpointing the virus to a person in San Francisco.

1st omicron case in US found in San Francisco

A person in California became the first in the U.S. to have an identified case of the COVID-19 omicron variant, the White House announced Wednesday as scientists continue to study the risks posed by the new strain of the virus.

WHO urges elderly to postpone travel plans amid rise of omicron variant

The World Health Organization on Tuesday advised elderly and immunocompromised individuals to postpone travel plans amid the emergence of the omicron coronavirus variant.

Jobs abound in California, yet unemployment remains high

California, the nation's largest job market, has experts scratching their heads about why job data is confusing and contradictory.

COVID booster shots on many people's holiday wish list

Bay Area county health officers say COVID vaccines supplies are plentiful, but they are urging people to make appointments and be patient as demand for vaccine shots and boosters is rising.

Powell says Federal Reserve may accelerate pullback in economic support

Chair Jerome Powell said that the Federal Reserve will consider acting more quickly to dial back its ultra-low-interest rate policies to counter higher inflation.

UCSF virologist says it's urgent to collect data on omicron variant

New research shows the COVID-19 omicron variant has 50 mutations, including some known to allow the virus to bind to human cells more tightly and cause high transmission. A UCSF virologist says this is one of the reasons for the urgency to collect data.

Small businesses hope for holiday season boost through shop local campaign

It’s the start of the holiday shopping season and the City of San Jose is trying to give small businesses a boost during the pandemic. The city has launched a campaign called Shop Local SJ.

Protest held against East Bay school district's vaccine mandate

A group of parents, along with their children and grandchildren, demonstrated in front of the West Contra Costa Unified School District headquarters in Richmond on Monday. 

WHO says omicron variant poses 'very high risk'

The U.N. health agency, in a technical paper issued to member states, said "considerable uncertainties” remain about the variant that was first detected days ago in southern Africa.

EXPLAINER: What we know and don’t know about omicron variant

The World Health Organization says it could still take some time to get a full picture of the threat posed by omicron, a new variant of the coronavirus as scientists worldwide scramble to assess its multiple mutations.

WHO disagrees with flight bans over omicron variant

WHO's regional director for Africa, Matshidiso Moeti, called on countries to follow science and international health regulations in order to avoid using travel restrictions.

California health officials on watch for omicron variant

"California is closely monitoring the new omicron variant, which has not yet arrived in California or the U.S.," Dr. Tomas Aragon, director of the California Department of Public Health said Sunday.

South African doctor says omicron variant symptoms ‘unusual but mild’

Dr. Angelique Coetzee, a board member of the South African Medical Association, said the COVID-19 omicron variant reported that it presents "unusual but mild" symptoms.