Covid cases are on the rise in 32 states

Plus: What to know about the omicron XE variant

In 32 states in the United States right now, Covid-19 cases are on the rise. They're on the rise again nationwide as well, 42% from two weeks ago. That’s in part because of the spread of new subvariants of the coronavirus’ omicron variant. That said, numbers are still well below their January peak, and White House Covid-19 advisor Dr. Ashish Jha told ABC’s This Week on Sunday people who are vaccinated and boosted against Covid-19 are “going to do fine” against the new subvariants. He also told Fox News Sunday that there’s no need to cancel large events if everyone in attendance is vaccinated and other precautions are taken. Covid-related hospitalizations and deaths continue to remain low despite the uptick in cases, though these numbers can sometimes lag the case counts by days or weeks. 

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More Covid News

New York City’s Covid-19 vaccine mandate for public school employees will be allowed to stand, after the U.S. Supreme Court declined to hear a challenge brought by four teachers. The Court also denied an Air Force Reserve offiicer’s request to be shielded from punishment for refusing a Covid vaccine.

Shanghai has reported the first deaths linked to the city’s ongoing Covid-19 outbreak—China’s worst since the start of the pandemic—as cases continue to rise eastern China.

The CDC has taken 89 countries out of its Covid-19 “do not travel” list, due to a revamp in how the agency is making its recommendations for travelers. 

Continued waves of Covid-19 have brought the United Kingdom’s elective waiting list to an all-time high. 

A federal judge threw out the federal government’s mask mandate for airports, airplanes and other public transportation Monday, ruling the CDC exceeded its authority by imposing the mask requirement 

What Else We Are Reading

• With high hopes for holidays, three faiths take stock of COVID-19 losses and gains (Religion News)

• Kizzmekia Corbett on the pandemic, public service, and her path to becoming a scientist (Stat)

• Are new Omicron subvariants a threat? Here's how scientists are keeping watch (Nature)