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
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
After declining most of the fall, COVID-19 cases are rising again in many parts of the U.S. Valerie Macon/AFP via Getty Images hide caption
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
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
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