Delta variant Coverage

'Another infection wave:' Latest Omicron subvariant, called XBB.1.5, could be most transmissible yet

Three years into the pandemic, the coronavirus continues to impress virus experts with its swift evolution.

Carl Zimmer, New York Times

US prepares for future COVID-19 surges

Federal health officials say we could see millions more COVID infections in the coming months. The projected number could double the total U.S. case count.

The Vanishing Variants: Lessons from Gamma, Iota and Mu

In early 2021, scientists in Colombia discovered a worrisome new coronavirus variant. This variant, eventually known as mu, had several troubling mutations that experts believed could help it evade the immune system's defenses.

Emily Anthes, New York Times

Festival safety: Several big events set for this weekend in NC as COVID begin to rise

Central North Carolina has several events planned this weekend, including Brewgaloo, the Fayetteville Dogwood Festival and the return of concerts at the Red Hat Amphitheater.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

Duke health experts concerned about possibility that future COVID variants could evade vaccines

While the latest COVID-19 subvariant of omicron, BA.2, is not as severe as previous variants, health experts are still concerned that the virus could mutate and evade vaccines.

Maggie Brown, WRAL multiplatform producer

Duke experts discuss masking, herd immunity

Experts with Duke University answer questions about herd immunity, face masks and new variants of the coronavirus.

Second COVID booster shots encouraged for adults 50 and older as subvariant spreads

Federal regulators authorized second booster shots of the Pfizer and Moderna coronavirus vaccines for everyone 50 and older.

Leslie Moreno, WRAL reporter

Omicron: What We Know About the Dominant Coronavirus Variant

First identified in Botswana and South Africa in November, the omicron variant has surged around the world over the past few months, faster than any previously known form of the coronavirus. The variant has caused a rapid rise in new cases that pushed some hospital systems to the breaking point.

Carl Zimmer, Emily Anthes and Andrew Jacobs, New York Times

Could the new COVID-19 subvariant cause another surge? A medical expert explains

A subvariant of Omicron, BA.2, is leading to a new wave of COVID-19 infections across Europe. Cases in the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands and other countries are going up, driven by this very contagious coronavirus strain.

By Deblina Chakraborty, CNN

COVID-19 treatment for vulnerable patients goes unused in North Carolina

WRAL Investigates found about 88% of the state's supply of Evusheld is in storage.

Joe Fisher, WRAL reporter

New 'deltacron' variant is rare and similar to omicron, experts say

In recent days, scientists have reported that a hybrid of the omicron and delta coronavirus variants has been popping up in several countries in Europe. Here's what is known about the hybrid, which has picked up the Frankensteinian nicknames of deltamicron or deltacron.

Carl Zimmer, New York Times

Universal masking in schools shown to reduce spread of COVID-19, study finds

A study published Wednesday by the ABC Science Collaborative foundschools with required masking had 72% less within-school spread of COVID-19 compared to schools with optional masking.

Mark Bergin, WRAL multimedia producer

'Stealth' Omicron subvariant a growing concern for some as masking rules ease

As North Carolina emerges from the latest surge of COVID-19 cases, deaths and hospitalizations, researchers have their eyes set on a subvariant of the omicron variant: BA.2

Aaron Thomas, WRAL reporter

Mask mandates lifted as new Omicron subvariant brews

As North Carolina emerges from the latest surge of COVID-1 cases, deaths, and hospitalizations researchers have their eyes set on a subvariant of the omicron variant: BA.2

5 On Your Side examines COVID-19 rapid test accuracy

Free COVID-19 rapid tests from the federal government are starting to arrive in mailboxes.

Keely Arthur, 5 On Your Side reporter

Dr. Fauci discusses the need for a universal coronavirus vaccine

In Wednesday's White House COVID-19 briefing, Dr. Anthony Fauci discusses the need for a universal coronavirus vaccine that wouldn't just cover the variants that cause COVID-19 but other coronaviruses.

Variant Diagnosis Has Doctors Struggling With Virus Treatment Decisions

Most U.S. doctors have no way to determine which variant of the coronavirus a patient is carrying, a distinction that could mean the difference between life and death.

Christina Jewett, New York Times

Omicron variant might help defend against delta, lab study suggests

People who have recovered from an infection with the new omicron coronavirus variant may be able to fend off later infections from the delta variant, according to a new laboratory study carried out by South African scientists.

Carl Zimmer, New York Times

Research shows omicron infection could increase immunity to delta variant

A new study from health officials in South Africa suggests an Omicron COVID-19 infection could increase one's immunity to the Delta variant.

Second omicron case in NC; hospitals worry holidays will bring case surge

A second case of the coronavirus' omicron variant has been confirmed in North Carolina, a researcher said Wednesday.

Leslie Moreno, WRAL multimedia journalist

Omicron has now been reported in 57 countries, 22 states

There's another dangerous COVID-19 variant on the rise as the push to vaccinate everyone in the U.S. ramps up. Omicron now been reported in 57 countries and at least 22 states - but CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walesnky says even though the new strain is more contagious, so far virtually all omicron cases in the U.S. have been mild.

Hospitals fear being overrun with COVID-19 patients again

More than 8,500 new coronavirus infections were reported in North Carolina since Friday, an 84 percent jump from the first weekend in November.

UNC virologist: Don't expect coronavirus case numbers to drop soon

Dirk Dittmer, a virologist with the UNC School of Medicine, says models predicted a surge in coronavirus infections after Thanksgiving. With more holiday gatherings to come and the virus' omicron variant likely being more transmissible, he says caseloads will likely trend up for a while.

Omicron Variant Spreading Twice as Quickly as Delta in South Africa

Underscoring increasing concerns about omicron, scientists in South Africa said Friday that the newest coronavirus variant appeared to spread more than twice as quickly as delta, which had been considered the most contagious version of the virus.

Apoorva Mandavilli, New York Times

Biden Vows to Fight Omicron With 'Science and Speed, Not Chaos and Confusion'

President Joe Biden, confronting a worrisome new coronavirus variant and the potential of a winter surge, laid out a new pandemic strategy on Thursday that includes hundreds of vaccination sites aimed at families, booster shots for all adults, new testing requirements for international travelers and free at-home tests that will be covered by private insurers or available at community health centers.

Sheryl Gay Stolberg, New York Times; Adam Owens, WRAL anchor/reporter