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The omicron variant is cause for concern — but not panic, Biden says

Anthony Fauci (right), director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and chief medical adviser to the president, speaks alongside President Biden following a meeting of the COVID-19 response team at the White House on Monday. Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images hide caption

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Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

The Coronavirus Crisis

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.

Stocks and oil prices drop as the world reacts to new coronavirus variant omicron

Specialist Meric Greenbaum, left, works at his post on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange on Black Friday. Stocks dropped after a coronavirus variant appears to be spreading across the globe. Richard Drew/AP hide caption

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Richard Drew/AP

The Coronavirus Crisis

Stocks and oil prices drop as the world reacts to new coronavirus variant omicron

Stock markets around the world tumbled on concerns about the new variant. While it's too soon to tell exactly how the variant functions, virologists are rushing to learn more.

South Africa Introduces Alcohol Ban And Curfew As Coronavirus Surges

A pupil receives hand sanitizer upon returning to school in Johannesburg on July 6. Since easing its lockdown, coronavirus cases have spiked and the government is introducing some restrictions. Denis Farrell/AP hide caption

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Denis Farrell/AP

Coronavirus Updates

South Africa Introduces Alcohol Ban And Curfew As Coronavirus Surges

The country has more than 276,000 cases, surpassing Italy, Spain and other hard-hit nations. President Cyril Ramaphosa says the worst is yet to come.

As Kenya Keeps Schools Shut, Teen Pregnancies Are Rising

In Nairobi's Kibera slum in April, Nancy Andeka, 45, teaches her and her neighbor's children at home as schools are closed due to the coronavirus. Brian Inganga/AP hide caption

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Brian Inganga/AP

The Coronavirus Crisis

As Kenya Keeps Schools Shut, Teen Pregnancies Are Rising

The country's schools are closed until January as the coronavirus surges. Meanwhile, officials say there's an increase in underage expecting mothers.

As Kenya Keeps Schools Shut, Teen Pregnancies Are Rising

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U.N. Agency Fears 'Vulnerable' Africa May Suffer At Least 300,000 COVID-19 Deaths

A man carries a box of protective masks to emergency workers Thursday in Dakar, the capital of Senegal. The West African country has seen relatively few confirmed cases of the coronavirus to this point — but global health officials fear that won't always be the case. John Wessels/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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John Wessels/AFP via Getty Images

Coronavirus Updates

U.N. Agency Fears 'Vulnerable' Africa May Suffer At Least 300,000 COVID-19 Deaths

And that's the best-case scenario laid out by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa. The commission said the continent, in the worst case, may see up to 3.3 million deaths this year alone.

World Bank: Coronavirus Is Pushing Sub-Saharan Africa To First Recession In 25 Years

Informal vendors gather on Wednesday in front of a municipal office building in Johannesburg to try to obtain a permit for working amid the national lockdown due to the coronavirus outbreak. Luca Sola/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Luca Sola/AFP via Getty Images

Coronavirus Updates

World Bank: Coronavirus Is Pushing Sub-Saharan Africa To First Recession In 25 Years

Sub-Saharan Africa is home to some of the world's fastest-growing economies. But the World Bank projects its economies could pull back as much as 5.1% this year, driven by the coronavirus pandemic.

10,000 Cases And 500 Deaths In Africa. Health Officials Say It's Just The Beginning

People get their temperatures taken at the border between Abuja and the Nasarawa State, Nigeria, on March 30. African countries are working to prepare for the rise in cases of COVID-19 as the coronavirus spreads on the continent. Kola Sulaimon/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

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Kola Sulaimon/AFP via Getty Images

Coronavirus Updates

10,000 Cases And 500 Deaths In Africa. Health Officials Say It's Just The Beginning

Millions of people in Africa are at high risk for COVID-19 and lack reliable access to doctors or medical equipment. Health officials are focusing on preventing the spread of the disease.

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