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Thursday

As U.S. COVID hospitalizations rise, some places are bringing mask mandates back

A face mask sign is displayed in a window in Queens, New York City on May 11, the day the federal public health emergency for COVID ended. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption

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Spencer Platt/Getty Images

National

As U.S. COVID hospitalizations rise, some places are bringing mask mandates back

New COVID variants are fueling hospitalizations and prompting some schools and hospitals to reinstate mask mandates. Others are considering or ruling out the possibility, leaving it up to individuals.

As U.S. COVID hospitalizations rise, some places are bringing mask mandates back

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Friday

This winter's U.S. COVID surge is fading fast, likely thanks to a 'wall' of immunity

Immunity Americans acquired through vaccination or via prior infection with the SARS-CoV-2 virus may account for the lighter than expected COVID surge in the U.S. this winter, researchers say. David Ryder/Getty Images hide caption

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David Ryder/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

This winter's U.S. COVID surge is fading fast, likely thanks to a 'wall' of immunity

The main reason the surge is ebbing now, pandemic experts suspect, is the significant immunity many people in the U.S. have acquired from prior infections and COVID vaccinations many received.

This winter's U.S. COVID surge is fading fast, likely thanks to a 'wall' of immunity

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Thursday

COVID spreading faster than ever in China. 800 million could be infected this winter

Travelers at Shanghai Hongqiao Railway Station in Shanghai, China on Dec. 12. China's public health officials say up to 800 million people could be infected with the coronavirus over the next few months. Qilai Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption

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Qilai Shen/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Goats and Soda

COVID spreading faster than ever in China. 800 million could be infected this winter

Scientists predict China will see the largest COVID surge of the pandemic this winter, with hundreds of millions of people infected. But some experts say that it could have been even worse.

COVID spreading faster than ever in China. 800 million could be infected this winter

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Tuesday

BA.5: The Omicron Subvariant Driving Up Cases — And Reinfections

On Wednesday, May 4th, 2022 a mix of masked and unmasked individuals shop at the Portland Farmers Market in Shemanski Park in Portland, OR. Leah Nash/The Washington Post / Getty Images hide caption

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Leah Nash/The Washington Post / Getty Images

Short Wave

BA.5: The Omicron Subvariant Driving Up Cases — And Reinfections

BA.5 is now the dominant SARS-CoV-2 subvariant in the United States. It's driving up COVID cases and hospitalizations across the country.

BA.5: The Omicron Subvariant Driving Up Cases — And Reinfections

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Friday

The real COVID surge is (much) bigger than it looks. But don't panic

People walk past a COVID testing site on May 17 in New York City. New York's health commissioner, Dr. Ashwin Vasan, has moved from a "medium" COVID-19 alert level to a "high" alert level in all the five boroughs following a surge in cases. Spencer Platt/Getty Images hide caption

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Shots - Health News

The real COVID surge is (much) bigger than it looks. But don't panic

Thanks to at-home testing, official reports are missing a lot of the COVID cases circulating now. Is the U.S. in the midst of an invisible surge? Here's how to assess the situation where you live.

Saturday

U.K. COVID cases are rising. Health officials are watching to see if the U.S. is next

The U.S. omicron outbreak has dramatically slowed, cutting wait times for tests. But health officials worry a new uptick in cases fueled by the BA.2 variant could be on the way. Joe Raedle/Getty Images hide caption

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Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Shots - Health News

U.K. COVID cases are rising. Health officials are watching to see if the U.S. is next

The rise of the more infectious BA.2 variant in the U.S. — plus signals in the sewage — also point to a possible uptick in cases, and have health officials on alert.

U.K. COVID cases are rising. Health officials are watching to see if the U.S. is next

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Tuesday

Sunday

A COVID Surge Is Overwhelming U.S. Hospitals, Raising Fears Of Rationed Care

In Idaho, a record number of people are hospitalized with COVID-19, raising the possibility of rationing medical care. Many states are grappling with the fallout of the delta variant's surge in cases. Kyle Green/AP hide caption

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Kyle Green/AP

Shots - Health News

A COVID Surge Is Overwhelming U.S. Hospitals, Raising Fears Of Rationed Care

The delta variant is pummeling America's hospitals, taxing an already-depleted health care workforce. Once again, some states are facing the prospect of rationing medical care.

A COVID Surge Is Overwhelming U.S. Hospitals, Raising Fears Of Rationed Care

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Tuesday

Vaccination Rates Rose In August As COVID Cases Surged Due To The Delta Variant

A COVID-19 vaccine dose is prepared at a pharmacy in Baton Rouge, La., on Aug. 17. About 14 million people received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine in August. Mario Tama/Getty Images hide caption

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Mario Tama/Getty Images

The Coronavirus Crisis

Vaccination Rates Rose In August As COVID Cases Surged Due To The Delta Variant

About 14 million U.S. residents got their first dose of a COVID-19 shot in August, which is about 4 million more than in July. Officials credit vaccine mandates by governments, schools and businesses.

Thursday

The Delta Variant Will Drive A Steep Rise In U.S. COVID Deaths, A New Model Shows

Front-line workers at a medical center in Aurora, Colo., gather for a COVID-19 memorial on July 15 to commemorate the lives lost in the coronavirus pandemic. New estimates say many thousands more will die in the U.S. this summer and fall. Hyoung Chang/MediaNews Group/Denver Post via Getty Images hide caption

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Hyoung Chang/MediaNews Group/Denver Post via Getty Images

Shots - Health News

The Delta Variant Will Drive A Steep Rise In U.S. COVID Deaths, A New Model Shows

New estimates show the U.S. is on track to see a big rise in cases and more than triple the number of deaths by October.