A sharp spike in COVID cases, fueled in part by the Omicron variant, prompts health experts to urge revelers to scale back New Year’s Eve gatherings.
Luke Money
California COVID-19 hospitalizations up 25% in last week
The rise has been even steeper in Los Angeles and Orange counties — which saw daily patient counts grow by 43% and 71%, respectively, during the same time.
With Omicron exploding ‘incredibly fast,’ officials urge caution in coming days
Soaring COVID-19 cases fueled by the fast-spreading Omicron variant are prompting fresh concerns about end-of-year gatherings.
Omicron surge means it’s time to upgrade your mask. Here’s how
Health officials say it’s important amid the latest wave of the COVID-19 pandemic to improve the fit of face masks and their filtration, going beyond old, loose, cloth face coverings.
Jump in child COVID hospitalizations in N.Y. sparks concerns in California amid Omicron
In metro New York, half of the children being admitted to hospitals are younger than 5 and ineligible for vaccination. California health officials see this as a warning to get more children vaccinated.
Many Californians will likely be infected during Omicron surge. How bad will it get?
Cases are expected to spike, but holiday gatherings can be safe, even without masks, if everyone is vaccinated and boosted, Fauci says.
Omicron sweeping through California with staggering speed, raising alarm and questions
California’s winter COVID-19 surge intensified Wednesday, with new overall coronavirus cases likely tied to holiday gatherings spiking up, along with confirmed cases of the Omicron strain.
Is it safe to eat at restaurants amid Omicron surge? Here’s what the experts say
“I miss it greatly,” one Harvard doctor says of dining indoors. “I’m going to put that off until case numbers drop some more.” Overall, the decision comes down to a personal assessment of risk.
California to expand COVID testing, give kits to students as part of Omicron response
Faced with the spreading Omicron variant, state officials unveiled plans to provide rapid coronavirus tests for K-12 public schools and expand hours at testing sites.
Omicron could bring record-breaking daily coronavirus cases but fewer deaths, forecast says
A highly influential COVID-19 forecast is projecting the Omicron surge could result in as many as 400,000 new coronavirus cases a day across the United States.

