New antiviral drugs to treat COVID have gotten Emergency Use Authorization New treatments for COVID-19 is expected to get Emergency Use Authorization from the Food and Drug Administration soon. But how much of the drug will be available, and how soon? Joe Palca
Japan's puzzling COVID lull COVID cases in Japan fell more than 99% from the last peak. Unlike previous infection waves, and countries in similar situations, it's largely staying there. Experts are struggling to explain why. Anthony Kuhn
Pastors are scrambling to decide whether to hold Christmas Eve services Hopes of a post-pandemic Christmas are vanishing. The rise of the coronavirus omicron variant has pastors scrambling at the last minute to decide whether to hold Christmas Eve services. Deena Prichep
Keeping safe from omicron during the holidays The omicron variant is so contagious that researchers who study transmission say consumers should consider wearing N95s and taking a rapid COVID test shortly before gathering with friends and family. Maria Godoy
Experts say Biden's plan to help hospitals deal with COVID surge isn't enough President Biden has rolled out a plan to help hospitals deal with omicron and the expected surge of patients. Experts say the support is welcome, but still doesn't go far enough. Will Stone
FDA authorizes 1st antiviral pill for Covid In a highly anticipated decision, the Food and Drug Administration authorized Pfizer's Paxlovid as the first antiviral pill to treat Covid-19 at home. Scott Hensley
Some colleges and universities will start the new year online as omicron spreads Seven schools in the University of California system, Harvard University, Northwestern University and others are among those changing their plans in response to the highly transmissible variant. Joe Hernandez
Omicron will cause more infections but lower hospital rates, analysis shows University of Washington research predicts the omicron wave will infect more than 400,000 people a day in the U.S. when it crests in about six weeks. Rob Stein
CDC report reveals how much the pandemic influenced the U.S. 2020 death rate Americans' life expectancy declined by nearly two years in 2020 compared to the year before, primarily because of COVID-19. The drop in life expectancy was bigger for men, and for Blacks and Latinos. Rhitu Chatterjee
A shot at gold, a swearing in, and a tech get-together are all thwarted by omicron The alarming surge in COVID infections is prompting city leaders, heads of companies, and even sports officials to withdraw from public events that could potentially expose more people to the virus. Vanessa Romo