Biden launches new plan to combat Omicron
President Biden announced a series of new plans to help combat the rising coronavirus cases and bring relief to overwhelmed health care systems. Ed O'Keefe has the details.
Vaccine
Omicron's quick spread raises concerns
One week ahead of Christmas, federal health officials are seeing an uptick in COVID-19 cases primarily fueled by the Delta variant — with fears that holiday gatherings and the highly infectious Omicron variant will create yet another surge. The latest outbreak is triggering a nationwide push for Americans to get booster shots. Elise Preston reports.
Dr. Fauci on Omicron, breakthrough cases
Dr. Anthony Fauci joins "CBS Mornings" to discuss the latest on the Omicron variant, handling breakthrough cases in vaccinated people, and President Biden's message to Americans ahead of his address to the nation.
U.S. sees rapid spread of Omicron variant
Researchers in the U.S. suggest the rapidly spreading Omicron coronavirus variant strain is more contagious than the Delta strain as the White House announces a plan for free at-home testing. Dr. John Moore, professor of microbiology and immunology at Weill Cornell Medical College at Cornell University joins CBSN to discuss the latest on the coronavirus pandemic.
Moderna says booster protects against Omicron
Moderna says its booster shot offers strong protection against the Omicron coronavirus variant, as COVID-19 cases climb around the world. Dr. Stanley Perlman, professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Iowa, joins CBSN’s Tanya Rivero to discuss.
Biden to speak on Omicron variant
President Biden will deliver remarks on the pandemic Tuesday as COVID-19 infection rates soar in parts of the country. CBS News senior White House and political correspondent Ed O'Keefe joins CBSN with a look at what to expect from his speech and more news from the White House.
Omicron variant quickly spreading across U.S.
COVID-19 infections are rising across the country, and Dr. Anthony Fauci, White House chief medical adviser, says the Omicron variant could soon be the dominant strain. Moderna has announced that data shows its booster shot increases antibody levels against Omicron. Dr. Michael Osterholm, director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University Of Minnesota, joins CBSN AM to discuss.
Surgeon general "worried" about unvaccinated amid Omicron spread
The surge of new cases at a time when millions of Americans prepare to gather with their families for the holidays has led to long lines for coronavirus tests across the country.
Moderna says its booster raises Omicron-fighting antibodies 37-fold
"It will protect people... through these winter months, when we're going to see the most severe pressure," the company's chief medical officer said.
Global concern grows over Omicron variant
Concern is growing around the world over the Omicron variant, which has been found in at least 89 countries. The Netherlands has imposed a nationwide shutdown as cases surge. CBS News foreign correspondent Imtiaz Tyab joins CBSN's Lana Zak from London.
Collins says those with vaccine and booster "very well protected" from Omicron
Dr. Francis Collins, the head of the National Institutes of Health, urged Americans to get the vaccine and booster shots ahead of the holidays.
Open: This is "Face the Nation," December 19
This week on "Face the Nation," there is frustration and fear as we head into the holiday season, amid what top U.S. health officials are calling an incoming tidal wave of COVID cases.
Retiring NIH director Dr. Francis Collins
After more than 12 years as leader of the National Institutes of Health – one of the longest-serving in its history – Dr. Francis Collins is stepping down. He talks with correspondent Rita Braver about how he resisted political pressures to support unproven treatments for the coronavirus; the problem of vaccine hesitancy; and how he will continue with two passions: research and rock 'n' roll.
Dr. Jon LaPook on COVID and safer holiday gatherings
With the increase in coronavirus caseloads due to the spreading Delta and Omicron variants, CBS News' chief medical correspondent discusses the precautions to be taken at end-of-year get-togethers, to better ensure a safe holiday season.
COVID variants fuel new infections nationwide
More than 120,000 new COVID-19 cases are being reported every day in the U.S. CBS News' Elise Preston reports on disruptions caused by the Delta and Omicron variants ahead of the holiday season. Then, Dr. Bhavna Lall, a clinical assistant professor at the University of Houston College of Medicine, joins CBSN's Lana Zak to discuss the latest.
Doctor on rising COVID-19 cases and vaccines
COVID-19 cases are surging in parts of the country as the Delta and Omicron variants spread throughout major cities and towns. The Centers for Disease Control is no longer recommending the Johnson and Johnson vaccine, due to rare blood clots. Dr. Stanley Perlman, a pediatric infectious disease specialist, joins CBSN to discuss the pandemic and vaccines.
Health officials warn unvaccinated Americans
Health officials fear the highly contagious Omicron strain, already detected in 40 states, will become the nation's most dominant coronavirus variant in the coming weeks, and urged Americans to get vaccinated and boosted. Dr. Len Horovitz, a pulmonary specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, joins CBSN to discuss the CDC's decision to no longer recommend Johnson and Johnson's one-dose vaccine to unvaccinated Americans and other coronavirus-related news.
White House appeals vaccine policy challenge
The Biden administration is asking the Supreme Court to reinstate its vaccine policy for workers at federally funded hospitals. CBS News senior White House correspondent Weijia Jiang joined CBSN with more on the emergency filings, which look to block rulings by lower court judges that halted the requirement from going into effect in several states, and other news from the White House.
Brazil leader wants names of regulators who okayed COVID jab for kids
Health agency bosses reported death threats before approving the Pfizer vaccine for young children. Bolsonaro says public should make "their own judgements" on the decisionmakers.
France imposes travel restrictions on U.K.
Cases of COVID-19 are skyrocketing in the U.K. More than 78,000 people tested positive for the virus Wednesday, the highest number of daily cases recorded in Britain since the start of the pandemic. Health officials fear the record could be a sign of things to come. In response, France is instituting new travel restrictions on the U.K. CBS News foreign correspondent Holly Williams has more from London on Britain's vaccination campaign, and CBS News' Elaine Cobbe spoke with CBSN's Elise Preston about what the new restrictions could mean for the French economy ahead of the holidays.
U.S. braces for COVID surge before holidays
Health officials are sounding the alarm about the rising number of COVID-19 cases nationwide. States and businesses are revising their coronavirus plans. Meg Oliver has the details.
COVID-19 cases climb as Omicron looms
COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations are climbing ahead of the holidays. Dr. Anthony Fauci says current booster shots are effective against the Omicron variant, which now accounts for 3% of cases in the U.S. Dr. Celine Gounder, an infectious disease specialist and epidemiologist at NYU and Bellevue Hospital, joins CBSN's Elise Preston with more.
Doctor on rising COVID cases in U.S.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the Omicron coronavirus variant has been found in 36 states, and the seven-day average of daily new cases nationwide is approaching 120,000, the highest in about three months. The agency projects the U.S. will see 1.3 million new cases during Christmas week. Dr. William Schaffner, a professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, joins CBSN to discuss the latest on the pandemic.
White House urges boosters to combat Omicron
With coronavirus cases on the rise across the country, some colleges are reinstating COVID-19 protocols and even closing their campuses. The Delta variant remains the dominant strain, representing about 96% of cases across the country. Nikki Battiste has the latest.
COVID restriction opponents suspected of plot to kill German official
Authorities raided properties, seizing weapons and placing 6 people under investigation over an alleged plot to murder the premier of Saxony state.
Live
Shutdown matches record for longest ever as Senate readies 14th vote
The Senate will vote for a 14th time to reopen the government as the shutdown matches the record for longest in U.S. history. Follow live updates here.
Dick Cheney, powerful former vice president, dies at 84
Former Vice President Dick Cheney, one of the most powerful people to hold the office, has died, his family says. He was 84.
Supreme Court prepares to weigh tariffs fight in test of Trump's power
The Supreme Court will consider Wednesday whether a federal emergency powers law gives President Trump the authority to impose his most sweeping tariffs.
Exclusive
Dems seek details on Epstein co-conspirator probe that was "inexplicably killed"
Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein provided the Justice Department with "precise and detailed" information about 20 alleged co-conspirators, House Democrats say.
Trump administration will use contingency fund to pay partial SNAP benefits
The U.S. Department of Agriculture told a federal court that it will tap into a contingency fund to allow states to issue partial SNAP benefits.
In New Jersey governor's race, Sherrill tries to tether Ciattarelli to Trump
Republican Jack Ciattarelli has a shot at winning 2025 New Jersey governor's race against Mikie Sherrill, after Democrats have held the office for two terms.
SNAP recipients say they're ready to scrimp amid food-stamp fight
The USDA said it would provide partial food stamp benefits for November, but it's unclear exactly when participants will get those funds.
13 suspected drug cartel members killed in shootout with police
Four suspects were arrested and nine people kidnapped by the gang were freed following the clash in Sinaloa, officials said.
Jonathan Bailey is 2025 People magazine Sexiest Man Alive
"Wicked" star Jonathan Bailey has been named People magazine's 2025 Sexiest Man Alive.