New COVID-19 variant prompts travel restrictions

Health officials are sounding the alarm about a new COVID-19 variant identified in South Africa this week. Experts worry that the rapidly spreading Omicron variant could be even more contagious than Delta. 

U.S. will restrict travel from South Africa, 7 other countries over omicron variant

The United States will restrict travel from South Africa and seven other countries starting Monday over concerns of the "heavily mutated" COVID-19 omicron variant, senior administration officials said.

Fears growing over new COVID variant

Originating in South Africa, a new COVID variant has scientists scrambling to figure out how quickly the strain will spread.

Survey: Few Americans blame God for COVID-19 pandemic, other tragedies

A large majority of U.S. adults believe that most of the suffering in the world comes from people rather than from God, according to surveys from the Pew Research Center.

Child COVID-19 cases in US up 32% ahead of Thanksgiving, AAP reports

Between Nov. 11 and Nov. 18, nearly 142,000 child cases were added — an increase of about 32% from two weeks ago and making up 25.1 percent of all the cases reported that week, AAP reported.

California COVID: Good case numbers but surge threat remains

 California now has one of the lowest coronavirus infection rates in the country, with 1.9% of people testing positive for the disease in the last week as the nation’s most populous state has so far avoided the uptick feared heading into the end-of-year holidays.

More US adults opting to never have children, Pew survey finds

The number of childless adults between 18 and 49 years of age who have chosen to not have children in the future has increased 7% since the Pew Research Center conducted the same survey in 2018.

Fauci warns against ‘prematurely’ dropping mask rules amid COVID-19 spike

Dr. Anthony Fauci responded to a move by Washington, D.C. officials to remove indoor mask mandates, saying the move is premature and could lead to a spike in cases amid a recent COVID-19 surge in parts of the country.

COVID-19 infected deer could act as ‘reservoirs’ for virus, study suggests

Penn State veterinarians found an explosive number of COVID-19 cases in deer, leaving them to wonder if humans can contract the virus from the animals.

Indoor masking returns to Santa Cruz County ahead of holidays

Santa Cruz County Health officials say COVID-19 cases have bumped up to roughly 27 a day, a 29% increase in two weeks, and if history repeats, cases will also rise after Thanksgiving. 

Mask-wearing cuts new COVID-19 cases by 53%, global studies suggest

A team reviewed the results of several studies worldwide and said findings suggest that mask-wearing was found to reduce new COVID-19 cases by more than half.

Macy's Christmas tree lighting in San Francisco held a week early

A holiday tradition returned to San Francisco's Union Square Thursday night, as city officials gathered for the lighting of the Macy's Christmas tree.

Fauci worried about uptick in COVID-19 hospitalization among fully vaccinated

Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation’s leading expert on infectious diseases says he's concerned over the uptick in hospitalizations among people fully vaccinated for COVID-19.

Fauci: COVID-19 not yet endemic, US still doesn’t have ‘control’ over virus

Speaking at a White House press briefing on Wednesday, Dr. Anthony Fauci said COVID-19 is far from being an endemic illness, but said continued vaccination efforts could eventually bring the coronavirus under control.

South Bay hospital welcomes back longest COVID patient

A South Bay man was surprised by a swarm of caregivers outside a local medical center where he had been hospitalized for nine months due to COVID complications.

Vaccine seekers have some trouble getting booster shots in California

California health officials want all adults to get a booster before the winter holidays. But booking one online, can be tricky.