Health

ATLANTA — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention cut its recommended quarantine time for people who test positive for COVID-19 from 10 days to just five on Monday, so long as the infected individual is asymptomatic. The new guidance... Read More

BRUSSELS (AP) — After struggling with the coronavirus for far too long, the world understands all too well Belgium's word of the year, “knaldrang!” — the urge to party, the need to let loose. Yet as New Year celebrations approach,... Read More

NEW YORK — Revelers hoping to ring in 2022 in New York City’s iconic Times Square are going to have to wear face masks, practice social distancing and show proof of being fully vaccinated along with a photo ID, the... Read More

CHARLESTON, S.C. — There was a minor COVID outbreak among attendees of a State Democratic Committee event held in downtown Charleston earlier this month. The event, co-hosted by the Association of State Democratic Committees and the Democratic National Committee featured... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court announced Wednesday night that it will hold a special hearing in January to consider the constitutionality of vaccine mandates imposed by the Biden administration. Both of the cases the justices will hear on Friday, Jan.... Read More

BEIJING (AP) — China plunged a city of 13 million people into lockdown on Thursday to stamp out an increase in coronavirus infections, as the country doubles down on its “zero tolerance” policy just weeks before it is set to... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. health regulators on Wednesday authorized the first pill against COVID-19, a Pfizer drug that Americans will be able to take at home to head off the worst effects of the virus. The long-awaited milestone comes as... Read More

WASHINGTON — Dr. Anthony Fauci visited the National Press Club on Tuesday using its final virtual newsmaker event of the year to urge Americans to get a booster shot ahead of the holidays. “Our booster vaccine regimens work,” said Fauci,... Read More

WASHINGTON — A record 13.6 million Americans have already signed up for health coverage on the Affordable Care Act insurance marketplaces with a month left to go in the open enrollment period, the Department of Health and Human Services said... Read More

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit recently dissolved the stay of the emergency temporary standard mandating all businesses with 100 or more employees require staff to get fully vaccinated or undergo weekly testing.  “OSHA is... Read More

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — South Africa's noticeable drop in new COVID-19 cases in recent days may signal that the country's dramatic omicron-driven surge has passed its peak, medical experts say. Daily virus case counts are notoriously unreliable, as they can be... Read More

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration issued its first public safety alert in six years in an attempt to stop the sale of deadly, fake fentanyl pills being sold on social media and e-commerce platforms.  “The amount of fentanyl... Read More

HARTFORD, Conn. — On Dec. 1, Connecticut began accepting applications from residents who want to participate in the state’s new paid family and medical leave program. Claims are being accepted for qualifying events that are happening on or after Jan.... Read More

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden on Tuesday will unveil an aggressive plan to address the stunning surge in highly infectious new omicron variant cases, including getting up to 1,000 military medical professionals to help in overwhelmed hospitals and making 500... Read More

The NFL’s decision to reduce COVID-19 testing for asymptomatic, vaccinated players could signal a trend for pro sports leagues and provide an example for society to follow heading into 2022. Despite a rising number of positive cases that forced three... Read More

Moderna said Monday that a booster dose of its COVID-19 vaccine should offer protection against the rapidly spreading omicron variant. Moderna said lab tests showed the half-dose booster shot increased by 37 times the level of so-called neutralizing antibodies able... Read More

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration on Thursday permanently removed a major obstacle for women seeking abortion pills, eliminating a long-standing requirement that they pick up the medication in person. Millions of American women will now be able... Read More

ATLANTA — People getting vaccinated against COVID-19 should be offered Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna shots rather than those containing the Johnson & Johnson vaccine due to an increased risk of blood clots in young and middle-aged women, a Centers for Disease... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration issued an emergency rule in November mandating all businesses with 100 or more employees require staff to get fully vaccinated or undergo weekly testing. Set to take effect on Jan. 4 and be enforced by... Read More

The House Oversight Committee recently released a drug pricing investigation report on the need for structural reforms.  “We will continue our investigation on drugs, the cost of drugs and ways to make [them] more affordable for people. Right now, all... Read More

WASHINGTON —Sens. Jon Tester, D-Mont., and Jerry Moran, R-Kan., are leading a bipartisan effort to increase transparency surrounding the Department of Veterans Affairs Electronic Health Record Modernization program. This past summer, the VA’s Office of Inspector General released a series... Read More

CHICAGO — On Monday the Senate Judiciary Committee held a field hearing in Chicago on reducing violence in the city where homicide rates have increased more than 4% in the last year. “At least 12 major cities have set homicide... Read More

WASHINGTON — With the pandemic just one crisis affecting girls’ education globally, the Brookings Institution gathered a group of young scholars from around the world for a symposium to consider new ways to protect and promote the rights of women,... Read More

JOHANNESBURG (AP) — The omicron variant appears to cause less severe disease than previous versions of the coronavirus, and the Pfizer vaccine seems to offer less defense against infection from it but still good protection from hospitalization, according to an analysis... Read More

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — In response to the Supreme Court’s decision allowing Texas’ abortion law to continue, California Gov. Gavin Newsom announced plans to craft gun control measures that enable private citizens to seek injunctive relief and statutory damages against gun... Read More

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday rejected two emergency requests from health care workers who claimed New York State’s vaccine mandate unfairly refuses to exempt those with religious concerns. In the underlying complaint, three nurses and a group called... Read More

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden recently implemented new actions to protect Americans against COVID-19 variants this winter, including a new policy beginning Jan. 15 to expand at-home testing. “More than 150 million Americans with private insurance, who are now able... Read More

The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed the use of telehealth and now many digital health companies are seeking to revolutionize access to care for communities of color.  “I saw all these different solutions popping up and wondered how I could fine... Read More

Pfizer said Wednesday that a booster dose of its COVID-19 vaccine may offer important protection against the new omicron variant even though the initial two doses appear significantly less effective. Pfizer and its partner BioNTech said that while two doses may not... Read More

NEW YORK — Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Monday that, in an effort to combat the omicron variant, children aged 5-11 will soon be required to present proof of at least one COVID-19 vaccination before they can enter any... Read More