Pfizer: Omicron-specific COVID-19 vaccine human trials to begin late January

Pfizer confirmed it plans to start human trials of its omicron-specific COVID-19 vaccine later this month, potentially making it available to the public as soon as March.

Unauthorized COVID testing site in San Francisco has outdated license

As omicron cases surge, the demand for COVID testing is through the roof, but health experts in San Francisco are warning people to be careful which sites they go to for testing.

US surgeons perform 1st transplant of pig heart into human patient

U.S. doctors have transplanted a pig heart into a patient in a last-ditch effort to save his life — a first for medical science.

Bob Saget’s legacy: ‘Full House’ actor advocated for scleroderma cure after sister’s death

Following the death of Bob Saget, many are encouraging people mourning to donate money to the Scleroderma Research Foundation, a foundation Saget advocated for after his sister’s tragic death.

Private insurers to cover home COVID-19 tests starting Saturday

Under the new policy, Americans will be able to either purchase home testing kits for free under their insurance or submit receipts for the tests for reimbursement, up to the monthly per-person limit.

Hayward Unified to go remote despite warnings not to; risks losing $2.5M a day

The Hayward Unified School District will switch to all-remote learning for its 20,000 students on Tuesday, making it the first in the Bay Area to revert to online learning for the next week despite being warned by the county and the state that they should not do that. 

California governor forbids price-gouging of at-home COVID tests

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed an executive order this weekend aimed at preventing price gouging on COVID-19 at-home test kits, which are in high demand due to the omicron variant surge.   

911 calls spike in San Francisco with callers asking for COVID help

Demand for emergency medical assistance in San Francisco stabilized to typical levels on Saturday night, following a spike in calls last week due to residents seeking help for COVID-19 symptoms, officials said. 

T cells from common colds may help protect against COVID-19, study suggests

T cells generated from the common cold may help protect against COVID-19, a new study found. But researchers stressed that "no one should rely on this alone."

COVID and confusing rules challenge California school reopenings

Complicating matters are conflicting messages from state and county officials about closing schools and the number of days school staff must quarantine after a positive test or exposure.

Georgia woman gets prison time for COVID relief fraud

Federal prosecutors say 49-year-old Hunter VanPelt of Roswell submitted six false loan applications to the Paycheck Protection Program from April to June 2020. She allegedly requested a total of more than $7.9 million and received more than $6 million.

Student test scores, graduation rates decline during pandemic

New data from the California Department of Education shows a decline in student test scores during the past year of the pandemic.

Gov. Newsom proposes $2.7 billion to battle spread of COVID

Governor Gavin Newsom's office announced the state is proposing to spend $2.7 billion on expanded efforts to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Sharks plan to terminate Evander Kane's contract

The San Jose Sharks have placed forward Evander Kane on unconditional waivers with the intent to terminate the remainder of his $49 million, seven-year contract.

Milpitas Schools returning to distance learning for at least a week

Milpitas Unified School District announced that it will return to distance learning, by starting with a 10-day quarantine until January 18.

Gov. Newsom activates National Guard to assist with COVID testing sites

Governor Gavin Newsom on Friday announced he was activating California's National Guard to help with additional COVID-19 testing facilities and capacity as cases from the omicron variant continue to surge.