/tags/coronavirus-variant Coronavirus Variant en-US WLRN Mon, 11 Jul 2022 11:08:43 GMT /news/2022-07-11/a-new-dominant-omicron-strain-in-the-u-s-is-driving-up-cases-and-reinfections BA.5 is now the dominant omicron strain in the U.S. It's good at evading the immune system, though doesn't appear to cause more serious illness. Mon, 11 Jul 2022 11:08:43 GMT /news/2022-07-11/a-new-dominant-omicron-strain-in-the-u-s-is-driving-up-cases-and-reinfections Allison Aubrey, Rachel Treisman /news/2022-04-27/can-we-trust-rapid-covid-tests-against-ba-2-this-is-what-the-experts-say With the BA.2 subvariant of omicron pushing infection rates up, many are reaching for at-home rapid tests. Here's what experts say on how best to use them. Wed, 27 Apr 2022 11:01:04 GMT /news/2022-04-27/can-we-trust-rapid-covid-tests-against-ba-2-this-is-what-the-experts-say Michael Levitt, Mary Louise Kelly /news/2022-03-23/scientists-worry-the-ba-2-variant-may-push-up-the-number-of-covid-cases-in-the-u-s The CDC reported that the variant accounted for about 35% of new infections last week. Wed, 23 Mar 2022 16:31:49 GMT /news/2022-03-23/scientists-worry-the-ba-2-variant-may-push-up-the-number-of-covid-cases-in-the-u-s Associated Press /2022-02-21/more-contagious-version-of-omicron-spreads-in-u-s-fueling-worries The omicron BA.2 variant spreads about 30% more easily and has caused surges in other countries. Its steady increase in the U.S. raises questions about the wisdom of rolling back COVID restrictions. Mon, 21 Feb 2022 16:20:00 GMT /2022-02-21/more-contagious-version-of-omicron-spreads-in-u-s-fueling-worries Rob Stein /2021-12-14/800-000-americans-have-died-of-covid-now-the-u-s-braces-for-an-omicron-fueled-spike The U.S. also surpassed 50 million COVID-19 cases, the most in the world. Two experts who raised early warnings discuss how the losses continue to deepen, despite the arrival of vaccines a year ago. Wed, 15 Dec 2021 12:11:58 GMT /2021-12-14/800-000-americans-have-died-of-covid-now-the-u-s-braces-for-an-omicron-fueled-spike Bill Chappell /news/npr-breaking-news/2021-12-04/dont-let-omicron-crash-your-holiday-gathering-heres-how-to-keep-your-family-safe You might want to cancel that holiday party, and definitely dust off your face mask. Don't panic, but do step up your precautions. Here's how. Sat, 04 Dec 2021 11:00:00 GMT /news/npr-breaking-news/2021-12-04/dont-let-omicron-crash-your-holiday-gathering-heres-how-to-keep-your-family-safe Maria Godoy, Michaeleen Doucleff, Carmel Wroth /2021-12-01/the-mystery-of-where-omicron-came-from-and-why-it-matters How did this new strain of the coronavirus evolve? Researchers are investigating various possibilities. One leading theory involves ... just one person. Thu, 02 Dec 2021 13:10:32 GMT /2021-12-01/the-mystery-of-where-omicron-came-from-and-why-it-matters Nurith Aizenman /news/2021-11-28/what-to-know-about-omicron-the-new-covid-variant The World Health Organization deemed it a variant of concern, and the U.S. is banning travel from parts of Africa where it's spreading. Here's what scientists know and what they're trying to learn. Sun, 28 Nov 2021 16:57:09 GMT /news/2021-11-28/what-to-know-about-omicron-the-new-covid-variant Michaeleen Doucleff, Joel Rose, Nicole Hernandez /2021-11-27/how-vaccine-makers-plan-to-address-the-new-covid-19-omicron-variant A new coronavirus variant, first discovered in South Africa, has begun to spread around the globe. Vaccine producers say they're working to get ahead of the new strain. Sun, 28 Nov 2021 16:31:37 GMT /2021-11-27/how-vaccine-makers-plan-to-address-the-new-covid-19-omicron-variant Dustin Jones /2021-11-25/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. Fri, 26 Nov 2021 10:56:18 GMT /2021-11-25/stocks-and-oil-prices-drop-as-the-world-reacts-to-new-coronavirus-variant-omicron Martin Kaste, Joel Rose