WGHP FOX8
by: Alexandra Limon
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — The number of COVID-19 cases across the country is rising ahead of the holidays, prompting new concerns about hospital capacity and the economy.
Meanwhile, an appeals court has reinstated President Joe Biden’s vaccine mandate for businesses with more than 100 employees.
The vaccine mandate for businesses with more than 100 employees won’t be immediately enforced by the government, but health officials are emphasizing the importance of getting vaccinated to fight the pandemic.
“It is really very unpredictable, very much so, particularly with the element of variants,” Dr. Anthony Fauci said.
The newest variant now spreading across the U.S. is omicron, a variant initially detected in South Africa and what scientists and doctors say is very contagious.
“It is so different that it has the properties to potentially be evasive of the vaccines and the other measures that we’ve taken,” National Institutes of Health Director Dr. Francis Collins said.
Collins said while more vaccinated people are getting breakthrough cases of omicron, it’s still vital people get vaccinated and boosted when eligible.
“If you’ve had vaccines and a booster you’re very well protected against omicron causing you severe disease,” Collin said.
As litigation continues regarding the vaccine mandates, officials are hoping this latest surge of a very contagious variant will encourage more people to get the necessary shots.
“There’s certainly some change that our hospitals are going to be pretty stressed, they already are of course with Delta of course,” Collin said. “The government is prepared now to send out surge teams as needed.”
Several petitions have been filed asking the U.S. Supreme Court to intervene in the vaccine mandate for businesses. So while the latest ruling upheld that mandate for businesses, the legal case isn’t over.
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(WGHP) — Where better to celebrate the holidays than the happiest place on Earth?
Disney World—and the nearby Universal Orlando—have both become popular destinations for families looking to make Christmas and New Year’s Eve a bit more magical.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – The jury reached a trial outcome Thursday in the manslaughter trial of the suburban Minneapolis police officer who shot and killed Black motorist Daunte Wright after she says she mistook her gun for her Taser.
The court did not immediately respond to questions on whether a trial outcome is a verdict. The jury began deliberations in the case against Kim Potter on Monday. The outcome will be read in court between 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. CST.
(NEXSTAR) — A California woman who assaulted a Southwest Airlines flight attendant in May is facing a possible sentence of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
Vyvianna M. Quinonez, 28, pleaded guilty to a charge of interference with flight crew members and attendants in a federal court on Wednesday, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.
