Omicron coronavirus variant detected in southern Africa could be the most likely candidate to displace the highly contagious Delta variant, the director of South Africa's communicable disease institute said on Tuesday.

The discovery of Omicron has caused global alarm, with countries limiting travel from southern Africa for fear it could spread quickly even in vaccinated populations and the World Health Organization saying it carries a high risk of infection surges. "We thought what will outcompete Delta?

That has always been the question, in terms of transmissibility at least, ... perhaps this particular variant is the variant," Adrian Puren, acting executive director of South Africa's National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD),

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COVID-19 hospitalizations decrease slightly as Alberta’s vaccine passport program officially expires

COVID-19 decreased slightly on Wednesday as Alberta’s vaccine passport program officially expired.Premier Jason Kenney announced Tuesday that the restrictions exemption program would be lifted at midnight. The REP came into effect in September, and required Albertans to show proof of double vaccination or a negative rapid test result to obtain entry to businesses operating under the program.

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Road closures put in place around Queen’s Park ahead of possible protest

Toronto Police has put in place a number of road closures over rumblings on social media that a protest connected to the Ottawa convoy could come to the city. Erica Vella has more.

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Rapid tests to be made available for free at Ontario grocery stores, pharmacies

Whether you’re heading to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription or doing your groceries, you’ll now be able to pick up a kit of rapid antigen tests for free. It comes as COVID-19 cases across Ontario are on the decline and the province prepares to lift additional public health measures of the coming weeks.

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B.C. bringing in vaccine mandate for all remaining health-care workers

COVID-19, the province is finally implementing the policy.Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry announced on Wednesday family doctors, dentists, chiropractors, physiotherapists and pharmacists will be required to be vaccinated by March 24, 2022.Henry said there is a process in place for medical exemptions, which can be submitted to her office.“We have been working with the colleges to sort through the details on the notice we put forward in October.

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2 men charged in string of New Castle County residential burglaries

NEW CASTLE, Del. - Police in New Castle County arrested two men they say are behind a string of home burglaries. Police say the men chose their victims because of their ethnicity.They say crimes similar to these have been reported to multiple police agencies from outside the state, including as far south as Georgia.Watches, jewelry, designer bags and sneakers.

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Smithsonian Museum is asking for pictures from Disney vacations

FILE - Crowds fill Main Street USA in front of Cinderella Castle at the Magic Kingdom on the 50th anniversary of Walt Disney World. Vacation photos have a new use.The Smithsonian National Museum of American History is asking for vacation photos from Disneyland in California or Disney World in Florida.

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Govt. program does not pay for crack pipes, White House says

Man holding a crack pipe. WASHINGTON (AP) - Following outrage on the political right, the Biden administration said Wednesday that a grant program to help prevent additional harm to people who use illicit drugs will not pay for safer pipes to smoke crack or meth."No federal funding will be used directly or through subsequent reimbursement of grantees to put pipes in safe smoking kits," Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and White House drug policy adviser Rahul Gupta said in a statement.White House press secretary Jen Psaki said separately that was never the intention, complaining that impression was created by "inaccurate reporting."Monday was the deadline for service organizations and state and local governments to apply for a share of $30 million in federal money for "harm reduction" efforts intended to prevent disease, injury and other collateral trauma to people addicted to illicit drugs.RELATED: 93,000 Americans died of overdoses last year, a new recordThe original request for funding proposals from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration had listed "safe smoking kits/supplies" among the items that could be purchased with taxpayer money.

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COVID-19: Ontario health minister says ‘not in the clear’ yet to end proof of vaccination, masking

As Alberta and Saskatchewan drop most COVID-19 restrictions, Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott said on Wednesday there was no plan to drop the proof of vaccination or masking requirements yet as the province is “not in the clear” to do so.

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The Healing: Black men yoga takes shape to combat mental health

CHICAGO - When friends Tristan Lewis and Andrew Smith invited a few Black men to take part in a yoga class in Chicago in 2020, they didn’t know it would spur a nationwide movement.The two men created The Healing, a nonprofit aimed at promoting mental health for Black men and offering resources for improvement. Services include events where participants can share with each other about various struggles or sessions with mental health professionals.Most notably, the organization offers virtual yoga classes for Black men with the next one scheduled to place on Feb.

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Green Day singer Billie Joe Armstrong's stolen classic car recovered in OC

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 24: Billie Joe Armstrong of Green Day performs onstage during the 2019 American Music Awards at Microsoft Theater on November 24, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for dcp) ORANGE, Calif. - The Costa Mesa Police Department announced Wednesday the cherished classic car belonging to Green Day’s lead vocalist, Billie Joe Armstrong, has been recovered days after it was reported stolen.Green Day, formed in San Francisco's East Bay Area, is a Grammy award-winning rock band whose biggest hits include "Wake Me Up When September Ends," "When I Come Around," and "Holiday." The band's music is also featured in the musical "American Idiot." On the morning of Feb.

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Camden officials distribute KN95 masks, as slow rollout of free masks nationwide begins

CAMDEN, N.J. - Thousands of KN95 masks, recently donated by Cooper University Hospital, were given out in Camden County Wednesday, by city officials, in an effort to help halt the spread of COVID-19.Last month, the U.S. Government announced it would be handing out 400 million N95 masks to everyone in the country and those masks have started to appear in some stores.

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Lanarkshire locals encouraged to beat winter blues with health walks

Lanarkshire locals are being encouraged to shake off the winter blues with free health walks throughout the area.

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‘It’s a lot’: At least 2M Quebecers infected during fifth wave of COVID-19 pandemic

COVID-19: Quebec announces staggered reopening plan through to mid-March Nearly one million infections have occurred since Dec. 31, Boileau said.The government on Tuesday presented a road map to gradually lifting restrictions over the coming weeks, with most expected to be gone by March 14 — except mask mandates and the vaccine passport system.

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Global COVID cases top 400 million as levels decline again

The global COVID-19 total has passed the 400 million mark early into the third year of the pandemic, with cases last week declining in the world's fourth and biggest surge, fueled by the more transmissible Omicron variant.

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Police: Gunman opens fire on officer during shootout in Germantown, no injuries reported

PHILADELPHIA - No one was injured after a gunman opened fire on a Philadelphia police officer during a shootout Wednesday afternoon in Germantown.Philadelphia Police Sergeant Eric Gripp told reporters that two plainclothes officers in an unmarked car were patrolling the 4800 block of Keyser Street around 2 p.m. when they came upon a shootout between a 23-year-old and a 20-year-old. The officer in the passenger's seat identified himself as police and ordered both men to drop their weapons when one of the men fired towards the officer, Gripp said. The officer ducked behind cover as the suspect attempted to flee down Keyser Street. According to investigators, the officer that was still inside the vehicle drove after the suspect and fired once through the windshield but missed. Both suspects were uninjured and captured nearby due to a massive police response, Gripp said.Investigators believe something happened between the men before police arrived that involved more than just the two gunmen. Gripp said police are still looking for other suspects, but he did not provide a description. "It just continues to speak to level the gun violence that we're seeing almost every day in this city," Gripp said.

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CDC head says COVID-19 mask guidance stands, for now

Today Rochelle Walensky, MD, MPH, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said the agency is working on updating and evaluating its mask guidance, but said COVID-19 transmission and hospitalization rates were still high throughout the country, and the recommendation of masking in indoor settings regardless of vaccination status remains in place.

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Body of missing Philadelphia woman, Kim Ezell, found on Delaware college campus, family says

Kim 'Darlene' Ezell (Family Handout) NEWARK, Del. - The body of a missing Philadelphia woman has been found weeks after she was reported missing when authorities found her roommate dead inside their home, family members tell FOX 29.The family of Kim Ezell says authorities informed them that they identified a body that was found in a vehicle at the Delaware Technical Community College - Stanton Campus in Newark as their mother. Ezell, 59, was also known as Darlene. Family members say Ezell last spoke to her daughter on the phone on Jan.

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Judge restores visiting rights for Quebec father unvaccinated against COVID-19

Quebec judge suspends unvaccinated man’s visitation rights with child With the suspension due to end Tuesday, the child’s mother had asked the court for it to be extended.The father, who described the suspension of his parental rights as “draconian,” argued that he is not a conspiracy theorist and that while he does not plan to be vaccinated, he will respect all public health regulations during visits with his son, who is vaccinated against COVID-19.Paquette ruled that the man, who has not had any parenting time with his son since Dec.

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COVID-19: Free rapid antigen tests now available at these Guelph locations

announced on Wednesday that it will be distributing 5.5 million rapid antigen tests for COVID-19 each week for eight weeks to various pharmacy and grocery store locations across the province.Over 2,300 locations will provide the tests while supplies last with a limit of one box of five tests per household. Free COVID rapid antigen tests now available at Ontario grocery stores, pharmacies at one-box limit Some participating retailers include Costco, Shoppers Drug Mart, Loblaws, Metro, Food Basics, Rexall, Sobeys, Real Canadian Superstore, Longo’s, Walmart, among others.There are at least 34 locations in Guelph that are offering the tests.

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COVID-19: 116 patients at LHSC, MLHU adds 139 cases but no deaths

Middlesex-London Health Unit reported zero deaths and 139 COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, compared with two deaths and 190 cases last Wednesday. Wednesday marks only the second day this month that no new deaths were reported, the other being Monday.LHSC is caring for 116 inpatients with COVID-19, 22 of whom are in adult critical care.As noted, LHSC is caring for 116 COVID-19 inpatients, with 22 inpatients in adult critical care.

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COVID-19: 4 new deaths reported in Waterloo Region as hospitals care for 91 patients

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Alberta restaurants and customers react to COVID-19 restriction changes

Alberta has announced the end of the restrictions exemption program, and reaction to the news is divided. Jackie Wilson reports.

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Betty Davis, Queen of Funk, dies at 77

Portrait of American Funk, Soul, and R&B singer singer Betty Davis (nee Mabry), New York, New York, 1969. (Photo by Anthony Barboza/Getty Images)LOS ANGELES - Funk icon Betty Davis has died, Rolling Stone reported on Wednesday.

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North Korea claims it can hit US, 'shake the world' with missile after month of increased testing

FILE - People watch the coverage of North Korea's latest missile launch in Seoul Station, South Korea on Jan. 31, 2022.

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FAA: Nearly 2 dozen planes hit with lasers near SEA this week

SEATAC, Wash. - The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after crews from nearly two dozen flights reported getting hit with a laser near Seattle-Tacoma International Airport this week. This comes after four flights reported being struck by a green laser near SEA on Jan. 28.FOX 13 News reached out to the FAA about the most recent strikes. Get breaking news alerts in the FREE FOX 13 Seattle app. Download for Apple iOS or Android. And sign up for BREAKING NEWS emails delivered straight to your inbox.On Tuesday, Feb.

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Latest coronavirus infection rates borough by borough as cases continue to fall across Greater Manchester

Coronavirus infection rates have continued to fall across all ten boroughs of Greater Manchester.

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COVID-19 Scan for Feb 09, 2022

A prospective cohort study of US children diagnosed as having COVID-19 reveals that certain demographic characteristics, preexisting chronic diseases, and initial vital sign and lab values may portend disease severity, a finding that the researchers said could help improve outcomes.The University of Colorado-led study involved 167,262 COVID-19 patien

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Alberta drops mask mandate for kids, education minister says boards can’t enforce their own

Alberta’s education minister said school boards can’t enforce their own mask mandates after the province-wide one is dropped next week. Kendra Slugoski has reaction.

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Google India reports very high search volumes for D2C brands during covid

NEW DELHI :

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Texas AG sues Instagram influencer for giving ‘bad health advice’

more than 464,000 followers on Instagram.Davis, 30, started selling online health and wellness packages back in 2014 after she became a popular social media influencer. The savvy star created the company Brittany Dawn Fitness LLC, which quickly garnered thousands of paying customers in plans ranging in price from $92 to $300 per month.According to the new lawsuit, obtained by the Dallas Morning News, Davis was contacted by at least 14 women suffering from eating disorders.

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COVID-19: Modelling predicts N.B. could loosen health measures if current restrictions remain for at least 1 more week

New Brunswick’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Jennifer Russell told a press conference on Wednesday that COVID-19 modelling predicts the province could safely reduce public health measures if current restrictions are kept in place for at least another week.

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U.S. COVID-19 trends are encouraging but loosening recommendations ‘not there yet:’ CDC chief

The head of the U.S.

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New Brunswick changes COVID-19 isolation, testing criteria

In order to meet the “changing outlook for the pandemic,” New Brunswick’s chief medical officer of health Dr. Jennifer Russell announced on Wednesday that the province is changing it’s requirements for isolation and COVID-19 testing.

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Panera Bread offers chance to win baguette-cut diamond ring, unlimited coffee for a year

Panera is offering guests a chance to win a diamond ring and free year of coffee. (Credit: Panera) ST. LOUIS - With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, Panera Bead is offering guests the chance to win the ultimate gift: a diamond ring, shaped in a baguette cut.According to the bakery-café chain, fans will be able to enter, starting Feb.

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Flying AirCar gets airworthiness certification

Klein Vision AirCar received its official certificate of airworthiness on Jan. 24, according to a company news release. The AirCar is a two-passenger vehicle with four wheels, a pusher propeller, switchblade-style retractable wings and a telescoping tail that transforms into a road-legal package on the ground in just three minutes. AirCar during a flight test.

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NJ 3-year-old kicked out of speech therapy due to mask mandates: 'Catastrophic moral crime'

New Jersey, a mom of a 3-year-old boy who has developmental speech delays said of the mask mandates that still exist in her state as of now, "For speech therapy for a toddler, masking isn't exactly what you should be doing, at least in my opinion. It's against what you're trying to accomplish."She said, "It's like if a dentist required the patient to wear a mask, right? I think for speech therapy for a child, it's the same thing."The mom did not want her family's name used due to privacy concerns.

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Saskatchewan moves to end COVID-19 public health orders

Saskatchewan’s requirement to provide proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test for businesses, workplaces and other public venues will end on Feb. 14.

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Ontario ‘not in the clear’ to remove COVID vaccine passports, masking as other provinces

COVID-19 vaccine passports that are required to enter some indoor public settings such as gyms and restaurants or to drop the mask mandate.Christine Elliott made the comments at a press conference announcing free rapid tests, after she was pressed several time by journalists if Ontario would consider dropping the vaccine passport as Saskatchewan and Alberta recently announced.“We still need to be very careful,” Elliott said.“We are not telling the people of Ontario that this is going to remain in place forever. No.

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Ambassador Bridge protesters continue to halt traffic

Anti-mandate protesters are partially blocking traffic at one of North America’s busiest border crossings. Global’s Sean O’Shea has more from Windsor.

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Ex-candidate sentenced to year in prison for death threats in Delaware

FILE - Generic gavel on wooden table. DOVER, Del. - A former Delaware political candidate who unsuccessfully sought the Republican nominations for governor and U.S.

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Police are reviewing whether Christmas quiz in No 10 may have breached coronavirus restrictions

Police are reviewing whether a Christmas quiz in No 10 breached coronavirus restrictions after a picture emerged showing the Prime Minister and colleagues near an open bottle of prosecco and a packet of crisps.

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Clues to crack an epidemiological puzzle called covid

Biju Dominic is the chief evangelist, Fractal Analytics and chairman, FinalMile ConsultingNever miss a story! Stay connected and informed with Mint. Download our App Now!!

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Inhaled vaccine provides protection against COVID-19, according McMaster study

McMaster University say recent animal studies have proven a pair of inhaled vaccines are effective against the original coronavirus that causes COVID-19 and variants of concern.In an update through the online journal Cell, Phase 1 clinical trials are underway to evaluate the aerosol vaccines in healthy adults who have already received a pair of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine doses, such as Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna, according to the university scientists.Studies to date show the new method, which targets the lungs and upper airways, where respiratory infections typically begin, is effective against the original strain of SARS-CoV-2 and variants of concern.The model is built around a tuberculosis vaccine established by Zhou Xing, co-lead author at McMaster’s Immunology Research Centre and Department of Medicine. McMaster University researchers to begin human trials of inhaled COVID-19 vaccine “What we’ve discovered from many years’ research is that the vaccine delivered into the lung induces all-around protective respiratory mucosal immunity, a property that the injected vaccine is lacking,” Xing said in a release.The aerosol doses, manufactured at the Robert E.

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'American Idol' alum Caleb Kennedy arrested and charged with felony DUI after fatal car crash

Kennedy competed on the 19th season of "American Idol" but abruptly left after a video surfaced depicting him standing with someone that appeared to be wearing a KKK hood. (Christopher Willard via Getty Images) SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. - "American Idol" alum Caleb Kennedy has been arrested in Spartanburg County, South Carolina.The musician, 17, was arrested for a felony DUI that resulted in a death, according to online records.Per records, the singer was arrested on Tuesday evening at 7:21 p.m.

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Number of small businesses raising prices due to inflation hits 48-year high, NFIB says

WASHINGTON - The number of small businesses that raised prices in January rose to levels not seen since 1974, a reflection of surging U.S. inflation amid squeezed supply chains, higher labor costs and more.A net 61% of small businesses increased average selling prices in January, which marked a 48-year high, according to a regular survey by the National Federation of Independent Business.

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Chipotle plans to add more locations in small towns

fast-casual chain reported higher-than-expected earnings and announced plans to expand its footprint in the long-term with more locations in smaller towns.The firm posted revenue of $2 billion for the fourth quarter of 2021, a 22% increase from the same quarter the year before that topped Wall Street's estimate of $1.6 billion. Earnings per share were at $5.58 for the quarter, beating analysts' expectations of $5.25 and showing a 60% increase from the $3.48 in Q4 2020.In its letter to investors, Chipotle announced that it had updated its long-term development plans and aims to have 7,000 restaurants in North America, up from its previous goal of 6,000 "based on the success of small-town locations that are delivering unit economics at or better than traditional" locations.RELATED: Chipotle raises average wage to $15 per hour, provides path to six-figure salaried positionsDuring 2021, Chipotle saw its digital sales – including orders delivered by third parties and those picked up at store locations by customers – grow 24.7% to account for 45.6% of all sales.

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Police searching for men who shot at bystander more than 50 times at Old City gas station

PHILADELPHIA - Philadelphia police officers are searching for four men they say fired multiple guns at a person at a gas station late last month. The incident happened at the Lukoil gas station market located on 600 N Delaware Avenue at 1:45 a.m. on Jan.

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United States	Cases: 46 252 513 Deaths: 750 423 Recovered: 0
India	Cases: 34 321 025 Deaths: 459 652 Recovered: 0
Brazil	Cases: 21 835 785 Deaths: 608 235 Recovered: 0
United Kingdom	Cases: 9 215 683 Deaths: 141 607 Recovered: 0
Russia	Cases: 8 494 589 Deaths: 237 619 Recovered: 0

Omicron Covid variant could outcompete Delta, says South African disease expert

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