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Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic updates

The latest news and commentary on the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

NOTE: As the world adjusts to COVID-19, research continues on its origins, the effectiveness of masks, vaccines and boosters, new variants, workplace policies, politics and much more. The Washington Times is committed to accuracy in our reporting of the coronavirus. We continue to explore how COVID-19 affects us here in the United States and around the world. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention continues to update its guidance on coronavirus (available here) with information geared toward parents, employers, healthcare professionals and consumers. They also offer a COVID data tracker here where you can explore vaccination trends, levels of community spread and other valuable tools for making healthy choices for you and your family.

For more detailed information on total cases, total deaths, global maps and dashboards, visit the Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center here.

Click on the maps below for more information on coronavirus cases by state and vaccinations by county, and for a fuller picture of COVID-19, scroll down for the most recent reporting from The Washington Times.

Recent Stories

President Joe Biden speaks about the COVID-19 variant named omicron, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House, Monday, Nov. 29, 2021, in Washington, as Vice President Kamala Harris and Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases listen. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Omicron variant spreading fast, but scientists call it mild, warn not to panic

By Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times
A health care worker prays outside Saint Francis Hospital, Thursday, May 7, 2020, in Hartford, Conn. A federal judge in Missouri on Monday temporarily blocked the Biden administration's COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers in 10 states. (AP Photo/Mark Lennihan, File)

Judge halts Biden admin COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health workers

By Emily Zantow - The Washington Times
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., speaks during a Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee hearing to discuss reopening schools during the COVID-19 pandemic on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021, at Capitol Hill in Washington. (Greg Nash/Pool via AP) ** FILE **

Sen. Rand Paul blasts Dr. Fauci for claiming that he represents science

By Valerie Richardson - The Washington Times
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, speaks at the WHO headquarters, in Geneva, Switzerland on May 24, 2021. The World Health Organization is opening a long-planned special session of member states to discuss ways to strengthen the global fight against pandemics like the coronavirus, just as the worrying new omicron variant has sparked immediate concerns worldwide. (Laurent Gillieron/Keystone via AP, File)

WHO: It's not just quantity -- COVID-19 vaccine shipments to Africa must be coordinated

By Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times
U.S. and Chinese national flags are hung outside a hotel during the U.S. Presidential election event, organized by the U.S. Embassy in Beijing. (AP Photo/Andy Wong) ** FILE **

Feds pay billions to fraudsters tied to China and Russia in COVID-19 schemes

By Stephen Dinan - The Washington Times
People, some wearing face masks, walk in Regent Street, in London, Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021. Britain's Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it was necessary to take "targeted and precautionary measures" after two people tested positive for the new variant in England. He also said mask-wearing in shops and on public transport will be required. (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

UK to expand COVID vaccine boosters amid omicron fears

By Pan Pylas - Associated Press
A sign directs motorists to a vaccination site at National Jewish Hospital on March 6, 2021, in east Denver. Merriam-Webster has declared vaccine its 2021 word of the year. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

Merriam-Webster chooses vaccine as the 2021 word of the year

By Leanne Italie - Associated Press
Dr. Francis Collins, director of the National Institutes of Health, appears before a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing to discuss vaccines and protecting public health during the coronavirus pandemic on Capitol Hill, on Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020, in Washington. Collins says he is stepping down by the end of the year, having led the research center for 12 years and becoming a prominent source of public information during the coronavirus pandemic. A formal announcement was expected Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021, from NIH. (Michael Reynolds/Pool via AP, File)

Omicron variant renews COVID fears, triggers travel bans

By Valerie Richardson - The Washington Times
A dose of a Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine is prepared at Lurie Children's hospital, Nov. 5, 2021, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

WHO accused of politics for naming latest variant 'omicron' instead of 'xi'

By Valerie Richardson - The Washington Times
In this file photo, President Joe Biden speaks about COVID-19 vaccinations after touring a Clayco Corporation construction site for a Microsoft data center in Elk Grove Village, Ill., on Oct. 7, 2021. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

Are vaccine mandates worth the hassle? Economists, lobby groups say voluntary measures work better

By Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times
People line up to get on the Air France flight to Paris at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday Nov. 26, 2021. A slew of nations moved to stop air travel from southern Africa on Friday in reaction to news of a new, potentially more transmissible COVID-19 variant that has been detected in South Africa. Scientists say it is a concern because of its high number of mutations and rapid spread among young people in Gauteng, the country's most populous province. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

South African scientists brace for wave propelled by omicron

By Andrew Meldrum - Associated Press
People lineup to get on the Air France flight to Paris at OR Tambo's airport in Johannesburg, South Africa', Friday Nov. 26, 2021. A slew of nations moved to stop air travel from southern Africa on Friday in reaction to news of a new, potentially more transmissible COVID-19 variant that has been detected in South Africa. Scientists say it is a concern because of its high number of mutations and rapid spread among young people in Gauteng, the country's most populous province. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

Biden orders travel ban on South Africa, other countries due to variant

By Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times
People queue to get vaccinated at a shopping mall, in Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday Nov. 26, 2021. Advisers to the World Health Organization are holding a special session Friday to flesh out information about a worrying new variant of the coronavirus that has emerged in South Africa, though its impact on COVID-19 vaccines may not be known for weeks. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell)

WHO: Mutation in South Africa, 'omicron,' is a variant of concern

By Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times
People line up to get on the Air France flight to Paris at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, Friday Nov. 26, 2021. A slew of nations moved to stop air travel from southern Africa on Friday in reaction to news of a new, potentially more transmissible COVID-19 variant that has been detected in South Africa. Scientists say it is a concern because of its high number of mutations and rapid spread among young people in Gauteng, the country's most populous province. (AP Photo/Jerome Delay)

EU orders travel ban on South Africa to halt variant spread

Associated Press
This undated image provided by Merck & Co. shows their new antiviral medication. Pharmaceutical company Merck & Co. said Friday, Oct. 1, 2021, that its experimental COVID-19 pill reduced hospitalizations and deaths by half in people recently infected with the coronavirus and that it would soon ask health officials in the U.S. and around the world to authorize its use. (Merck & Co. via AP) ** FILE **

FDA: Merck COVID-19 pill effective, experts will review safety

By Matthew Perrone - Associated Press
FILE - A young woman reacts as she receives a Pfizer jab against COVID-19, in Diepsloot Township near Johannesburg Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021. A new COVID-19 variant has been detected in South Africa that scientists say is a concern because of its high number of mutations and rapid spread among young people in Gauteng, the country's most populous province, Minister of Health Joe Phaahla announced Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell, File)

WHO to debate dangerous South Africa coronavirus variant with 'many mutations'

By Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times
A baby cries as her mother receives her Pfizer vaccine against COVID-19, in Diepsloot Township near Johannesburg Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021. A new COVID-19 variant has been detected in South Africa that scientists say is a concern because of its high number of mutations and rapid spread among young people in Gauteng, the country's most populous province, Minister of Health Joe Phaahla announced Thursday, Nov. 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Denis Farrell, File) ** FILE **

'Exponential rise': New coronavirus variant detected in South Africa worries scientists

By Andrew Meldrum and Mogomotsi Magome - Associated Press
People shop for frozen turkeys for Thanksgiving dinner at a grocery store in Mount Prospect, Ill., Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

Supply chain disruption, pandemic hit Americans at Thanksgiving table

By Kerry Picket - The Washington Times
An employee draws up a syringe with the Pfizer vaccine against the coronavirus and the COVID-19 disease at vaccination bus in Berlin, Germany, Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021. Germany battles rising numbers of coronavirus infections. (Kay Nietfeld/dpa via AP)

EU regulator authorizes Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for kids 5-11

By Mike Corder and Maria Cheng - Associated Press
Photo credit: Shutterstock

Hotels rent rooms as workspaces to recoup COVID-19 losses

By Sean Salai - The Washington Times
An information sign is displayed as a child arrives with her parent to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for children 5 to 11 years old at London Middle School in Wheeling, Ill., on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) **FILE**

A third of clinicians would not want their kids to get COVID vaccine: Survey

By Shen Wu Tan - The Washington Times
Boxes of BinaxNow home COVID-19 tests made by Abbott are shown for sale Monday, Nov. 15, 2021, at a CVS store in Lakewood, Wash., south of Seattle. After weeks of shortages, retailers like CVS say they now have ample supplies of rapid COVID-19 test kits, but experts are bracing to see whether it will be enough as Americans gather for Thanksgiving and new outbreaks spark across the Northern and Western states. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Maryland making available 500,000 more at-home COVID tests

By Shen Wu Tan - The Washington Times
Boxes of BinaxNow home COVID-19 tests made by Abbott are shown for sale Monday, Nov. 15, 2021, at a CVS store in Lakewood, Wash., south of Seattle. After weeks of shortages, retailers like CVS say they now have ample supplies of rapid COVID-19 test kits, but experts are bracing to see whether it will be enough as Americans gather for Thanksgiving and new outbreaks spark across the Northern and Western states. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Rapid COVID tests in spotlight as families gather again

By Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times
President Joe Biden speaks about COVID-19 vaccinations after touring a Clayco Corporation construction site for a Microsoft data center in Elk Grove Village, Ill., on Oct. 7, 2021. Looks like the Biden administration’s vaccine mandate for millions of federal workers is working, and dire projections of disruption to law enforcement, intelligence gathering, or holiday travel have not materialized. Of Tuesday, one day after the deadline, 92% of the 3.5 million federal workers covered by Biden’s reported to the administration that they are at least partially vaccinated, according to White House officials. In total, 96.5% of employees have been deemed in compliance with the policy, whether through medical or religious exemptions that are still being evaluated. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)FILE

White House announces 92% vaccination rate among federal workforce

By Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times
Holiday hiring sign is displayed at a retail store in Vernon Hills, Ill., Saturday, Nov. 13, 2021. The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell for the seventh straight week to a pandemic low 268,000. U.S. jobless claims dipped by 1,000 last week from the week before, the Labor Department reported Thursday, Nov. 18. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

U.S. jobless claims plunge to 199,000, lowest in 52 years

By Paul Wiseman - Associated Press
A man puts up signs indicating COVID-19 restrictions, where access is allowed only for people who are vaccinated or recovered and tested, hangs at the entrance of a Christmas market in Essen, Germany, Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2021.(Roland Weihrauch/dpa via AP)

Germany starts to check COVID-19 documents on public transport

By Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times
Travelers queue up at the south security checkpoint as traffic increases with the approach of the Thanksgiving Day holiday Tuesday, Nov. 23, 2021, at Denver International Airport in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

On the road again: Travelers emerge in time for Thanksgiving

By David Koenig - Associated Press
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) celebrates with wide receiver Amari Cooper (19) after Cooper caught a 21-yard touchdown reception during the second half of an NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers Thursday, Sept. 9, 2021, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Scott Audette)

As COVID-19 affects teams, frustration over NFL skeptics heats up

By Matthew Paras - The Washington Times
French Prime Minister Jean Castex gives a statement after a Belgian-French security consultation meeting at Egmont Palace in Brussels, Monday, Nov. 22, 2021. The prime minister of France, who tested positive for COVID Monday, is being singled out on social media and beyond as the prime example of what not to do in the pandemic. (AP Photo/Olivier Matthys, File)

French PM singled out for ire after testing COVID-positive

Associated Press
Demonstrators gather to protest against the government restriction measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 during celebrations of the 32nd anniversary of the pro-democratic Velvet Revolution that ended communist rule in 1989 in Prague, Czech Republic, Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2021. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

White House rejects return of lockdowns as Europe's new shutdowns spark protests

By Tom Howell Jr. - The Washington Times

Recent Commentary Columns

A man receives a shot of the Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine during a vaccination campaign at the Patriot Candrabhaga Stadium in Bekasi on the outskirts of Jakarta, Indonesia Friday, Nov. 26, 2021. Indonesia has significantly recovered from a mid-year spike in coronavirus cases and deaths that was one of the worst in the region, but with its vaccination drive stalling and holidays approaching, experts and officials warn the island nation could be set soon for another surge. (AP Photo/Achmad Ibrahim)

Vaccinated? None of your freaking business

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) is shown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Thursday, Oct. 28, 2021, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri) ** FILE **

Aaron Rodgers is 100 percent right

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