Amid omicron COVID-19 variant worries, US still battling delta wave

While all eyes are on the new and little-understood omicron variant, the delta form of the coronavirus isn’t finished wreaking havoc in the U.S., sending record numbers of patients to the hospital in some states, especially in the Midwest and New England.

US to require all inbound travelers to take COVID-19 test 1 day before flight

All travelers to the U.S. must provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test within one day of boarding their flights, regardless of nationality or vaccination status, the White House said.

Biden's new winter COVID-19 plan includes reimbursement for at-home tests

Biden is unveiling a winter plan to combat COVID-19 and its new omicron variant with more availability of shots and vaccines but without major new restrictions.

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.

Kaiser workers given more time to comply with COVID vaccination rule

Kaiser workers who face termination for not complying with the new vaccination rule will have a little more time to get the shot.

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.

Children's Hospital in Oakland receives $17M to study sickle cell

Scientists will use the CRISPR-Cas9 gene-editing technology on patients’ own blood stem cells to correct the mutated gene that causes sickle cell disease.

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.

Racism is a 'public health threat,' Biden says in new HIV/AIDS strategy

In its new HIV/AIDS strategy released Wednesday on the annual commemoration of World AIDS Day, the Biden administration is calling racism “a public health threat” that must be fully recognized as the world looks to end the epidemic.

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.

COVID-19 vaccine makers exploring if omicron versions of shots are needed

Officials from Moderna and Pfizer are assessing their responses to the new COVID-19 variant omicron and say it will take months to develop a tweaked shot if needed.