Coronavirus infection during pregnancy does not appear to affect infants’ brain function, but the pandemic itself may be having an impact, a study published on January 4 in JAMA Pediatrics suggests. Additionally, new laboratory research found the coronavirus can directly damage the kidneys by initiating a cascade of molecular events that leads to scarring.
The United States cannot be complacent about the Omicron variant of the coronavirus despite signs of its lower severity compared to the Delta variant, top U.S. infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci said on January 5.
The Biden administration is finalizing contracts for 500 million rapid COVID-19 tests that it plans to distribute for free to Americans who request them, spokeswoman Jen Psaki said on January 4.
U.S. President Joe Biden said on January 4 that COVID-19 cases were rising even at the White House as he urged unvaccinated Americans to get vaccinated and others to get booster shots.
Because the Omicron variant of COVID-19 is so infectious, it is surging around the United States. Vaccination is still the best way to prevent severe disease and death, but there is increasing debate on the benefit of yet another booster shot and how long people who show symptoms should quarantine.
Thousands of U.S. schools delayed the scheduled return to classrooms following the holiday break or switched to remote learning as the Omicron variant of the coronavirus pushed COVID-19 cases to record levels.
2021 was an important year for the life sciences industry. From the continuing fight against COVID-19 to new companies emerging in exciting therapeutic areas to the people who mattered most, BioSpace looks at some of the biggest successes, most dramatic flops – and a few that fall somewhere in between.
Top U.S. infectious disease expert Anthony Fauci said there was still a danger of a surge in hospitalization due to a large number of coronavirus cases even as early data suggests the Omicron COVID-19 variant is less severe.
The Omicron coronavirus variant dampened New Year festivities around much of the world, with Paris canceling its fireworks show, London relegating its to television, and New York City scaling down its famous ball drop celebration in Times Square.
Coronavirus deaths in Eastern Europe topped 1 million on December 30, according to a Reuters tally, as the Omicron variant threatened to batter the region.
