Asia is keeping omicron at bay, but a surge may be inevitable Much of Asia has managed to keep omicron in check even as the variant rages elsewhere, but the region that is home to most of the globe's population is bracing for what may be an inevitable surge. The Associated Press
The CDC slashes estimates of omicron's prevalence in the U.S. New data from the CDC released on Tuesday, shows that while omicron remains the dominant variant, delta – which is the more severe strain – is still a worrisome driving force behind the current surge. Vanessa Romo
Washington state shortens recommended Covid isolation period, mirroring CDC guidance The Washington State Department of Health has updated its Covid quarantine guidance, advising people who test positive for the disease to isolate for just five days instead of the previously recommended 10 days. Liz Brazile
New CDC isolation guidelines raise concerns among health experts Cutting the isolation for positive cases to five days could lead to more infections if people don't take masking seriously. A testing requirement, would have made the policy safer, experts say. Pien Huang
Covid hospitalizations back up in King County amid holiday omicron surge Covid hospitalizations are also on the rise in King County after declining last week. Hospitalizations have gone up nearly 50% over the past seven days, with a daily average of 11 new hospitalizations. Liz Brazile
The masking period of new COVID isolation guidance is where it may fail, experts say Infectious disease experts say the CDC's new five-day isolation period is "reasonable" but may fall flat because the mask period it vital, but people generally aren't compliant with mask requirements. Allison Aubrey
The nation's capital is the worst place for COVID-19 infections right now Washington, D.C. is considered the highest-risk place for COVID infection in the nation. Data shows D.C. experienced 1,192 new cases per day and 169 cases per 100,000 as of Monday. Matthew S. Schwartz
Team USA, headed to the Beijing Olympics, faces strict pandemic measures NPR's A Martinez talks to USA Today sports columnist Christine Brennan about the uncertainty around the Beijing Winter Olympics, and the various protocols in place to limit the spread of COVID-19.
The CDC cuts recommended isolation periods for COVID infections NPR's Steve Inskeep talks to Dr. Ashih Jha, dean of Brown University's School of Public health, about revised guidelines for asymptomatic people who test positive for COVID-19.
Omicron variant is a step toward co-existing with COVID-19, WHO envoy says NPR's A Martinez speaks to the David Nabarro, a special envoy for the World Health Organization, about the direction the pandemic might take in 2022.