New antiviral drugs are coming for COVID. Here's what you need to know The FDA is considering new pills that could treat people in early stages of COVID. Here's what to know about how they work, how effective they are and the impact they could make on the pandemic. Pien Huang
The omicron variant may be the most infectious one yet Scientists in South Africa say preliminary data suggests the omicron coronavirus variant is already widespread across southern Africa — and this happened in a very short period of time. Michaeleen Doucleff
Are you wearing the right mask? It comes down to fit and layers The answer: fit and layers. Wear a mask that fits, and that has two or more layers. Kate Walters
The U.S. restricts travel from 8 countries as omicron variant spreads President Biden has restricted travel from eight southern African countries in an effort to slow the spread of the omicron variant. Tien Le
Merriam-Webster's 2021 word of the year is, of course, 'vaccine' The word "vaccine" saw a more than 600% increase in lookups this year over last. In its announcement, Merriam-Webster noted that it's come to represent much more than just medicine. Rachel Treisman
The omicron variant is cause for concern — but not panic, Biden says President Biden said that while restrictions imposed on travelers from several nations in southern Africa would slow the variant's entry, the U.S. will eventually see cases. Brian Naylor
The World Health Organization warns of very high risk posed by the omicron variant The newly identified strain of the coronavirus, which could be more transmissible than the previously dominant delta variant, has global health officials worried about a possible new surge in cases. Scott Neuman
The Omicron variant is the latest proof that the pandemic isn't over There are cases of this new coronavirus variant reported in several countries. How much protection can fully vaccinated people expect to have against this new strain? Noel King
As Omicron spreads, studies suggest that travel bans alone don't do much good Public health experts warn that the rush to impose travel bans on southern African countries after the Omicron variant was identified can work against scientific transparency. Jaclyn Diaz
Fauci says the omicron variant will inevitably appear in the U.S. The omicron variant has not been detected in the U.S., but Dr. Anthony Fauci says it is certain to be at some point. Fauci and Dr. Francis Collins appealed for people to get vaccinated as a defense. Wynne Davis
