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When Dr. Tiffany M. Osborn received her COVID-19 vaccination shortly after vaccines became available in late 2020, she felt hopeful about the pandemic's trajectory. A year later, she's sad and frustrated to see so many COVID patients in the ICU.

ICU teams report fatigue and frustration as they brace for omicron surge

A resurgence in COVID-19 cases is testing the endurance of health care workers who care for the sickest patients, most of whom are unvaccinated.

Winter illnesses return with a vengeance

The annual winter respiratory virus season is in full force. The number of people catching the flu is skyrocketing, while COVID-19, RSV and other respiratory viral illnesses are also rising.

It wasn't easy in early March to get a test in the U.S. confirming you had the coronavirus — scarce availability of tests meant patients had to meet strict criteria linked to a narrow set of symptoms and particular travel history.

Early Coronavirus Testing Restrictions Led To Some Big ER Bills

People with COVID-19 symptoms in March and April were often billed for expensive scans and bloodwork because they didn't qualify back then for a confirmatory coronavirus test. Some are crying foul.

Pfizer's Paxlovid pills are considered the most effective treatment to prevent severe COVID. They're about to be sold in China. But they are reportedly underused in the U.S.

Coronavirus FAQ: Is Paxlovid the best treatment? Is it underused in the U.S.?

The drug is the most effective way to cut the risk of severe disease. It's heading to China now. Yet the drug is underused in some places. Why? And are there options if you're not a good candidate?

An update on fall respiratory viruses

Health officials are planning another fall campaign designed to encourage everyone six months and older to get updated COVID and flu vaccines, but are scaling back the recommendation for RSV vaccines.

What to know about protecting your cat from bird flu

A few cats have died from bird flu after eating raw food. And some raw pet food products have been recalled. Here's what to know about the risks to your fur babies, and how to keep them safe.

Do I really need another booster? The answer depends on age, risk and timing

Health officials argue the protection of the COVID vaccine booster wanes over time and say some people need a second booster. But other infectious disease experts say three shots are enough for now.

Emergency medical technicians wheel a patient into the ER of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston. Emergency hospitalizations related to COViD-19 can be costly. Fine print in the HHS rules regarding the CARES Act seem to spare patients at least some of the financial pain.

In Fine Print, HHS Seems To Have Banned Surprise Medical Bills During The Pandemic

Guidance regarding the CARES Act says health care providers who take emergency funds aren't allowed to "balance bill" coronavirus patients ― and every patient is a possible COVID-19 patient.

Are you eligible to be the next pope? Find out in the quiz

If you've paid attention to pope selection, COVID websites, national defense and libel cases, you'll do great this week!

Cornell University announced the closing of its Ithaca, N.Y., campus due to the rise in cases of the omicron variant of COVID-19.

Cornell shuts down its Ithaca campus after significant signs of omicron variant found

The campus reported nearly 500 new cases of COVID-19 among the student body. The new omicron variant was detected "in a significant number" of positive tests, the university said.

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