People wait in line at a COVID-19 testing site in Times Square, New York, on Dec.... The White House on Wednesday insisted there was no need for a lockdown because vaccines are widely available and appear to offer protection against the worst consequences of the virus.... And on top of that, we're going to add an omicron surge," said Dr....

But even if omicron proves milder on the whole than delta, it may disarm some of the lifesaving tools available and put immune-compromised and elderly people at particular risk as it begins a rapid assault on the United States.“ Our delta surge is ongoing and, in fact, accelerating.... Percentages vary by region, with the highest — 13% — in the New York/ New Jersey area. But Harvard experts said these are likely underestimates because omicron is moving so fast that surveillance attempts can’t k