US colleges opting for online classes amid omicron surge

Amid a wave of COVID-19 cases driven by the omicron variant, dozens of colleges are making plans to move classes online for at least the first week of the semester.

No Surprise Act: New law preventing unexpected medical bills takes effect Jan. 1

Patients will no longer have to worry about getting a huge bill following a medical crisis if the closest hospital emergency room happened to have been outside their insurance plan’s provider network.

Houston officials ramping up COVID-19 testing, capacity limits following surge in cases

Houston's leaders and health officials are now using a term we haven’t heard since the start of this pandemic: ‘it’s time to flatten the curve’ meaning COVID-19 cases are headed in the wrong direction and fast.

Houstonians reevaluating New Year's Eve plans amidst Omicron surge

The countdown to 2022 begins. However, with the latest Omicron surge, many Houstonian’s New Year's Eve plans are changing at the last minute.

Israel to offer 4th vaccine dose to most vulnerable

Israel has approved a fourth vaccine dose for people most vulnerable to COVID-19, becoming the first country to do so as it braces for a wave of infections fueled by the omicron variant.

COVID-19 leaves US children hospitalized in near-record numbers

During the week of Dec. 21-27, an average of 334 children with the coronavirus were admitted per day to hospitals, a 58% increase from the week before.

Omicron: How new COVID-19 variant affects children
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Dr. Michael Chang, a pediatric infectious disease expert with Memorial Hermann and UT Health, discusses how the Omicron variant is affecting children.

J&J COVID-19 booster found to cut omicron hospitalizations in South African study

Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 booster shot was found to reduce the risk of omicron-related hospitalization by about 85%, according to a South African clinical trial.

Mexico approves use of Cuba’s Abdala coronavirus vaccine

Mexico’s health safety council has approved the use of Cuba’s three-dose Abdala coronavirus vaccine.

CDC monitors, investigates at least 73 cruise ships following COVID-19 outbreaks

As of Monday, 73 cruise ships were sailing at yellow or orange status, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Ships with orange or yellow status are currently being monitored or investigated due to suspected or confirmed cases of COVID-19 on board.

Oregon hospital reports rare, fungal outbreak

The Oregon Health Authority said Tuesday that two patients at Salem Health contracted a dangerous fungal infection during their hospital stays in an "outbreak" of a type of yeast rare to the United States.

Cytomegalovirus: What the CDC wants you to know during the holiday

According to the CDC, cytomegalovirus is a common virus that can affect people of all ages. Symptoms include fever, sore throat, fatigue and swollen glands.

New COVID-19 cases in US hit pandemic high amid omicron surge

The seven-day average of new COVID-19 cases in the U.S. was 265,427 on Tuesday, well over the previous record set in mid-January, according to Johns Hopkins.

Katy man dies at gym but colleagues bring him back to life from sudden cardiac death

A Katy man was instructing a class when he went into sudden cardiac arrest and died in the gym. Doctors say that an AED that was correctly and quickly used, plus quality CPR, made all the difference.

WHO: Global COVID cases up 11% last week, biggest increase in Americas

The WHO says the number of new COVID-19 cases worldwide increased by 11% last week, while newly reported deaths were down 4% globally.

Flu making a comeback in US after unusual year off; 2 child deaths reported

Last year's flu season was the lowest on record, but this U.S. flu season has arrived on schedule, with flu hospitalizations rising and two child deaths reported.