Omicron Variant

Ohio health officials are asking the public to stay out of emergency rooms if they are looking for COVID-19 tests or experiencing mild cold-like symptoms.

The omicron variant has COVID cases in Ohio climbing at a pace not seen since last January, causing more event cancellations. Ohio State has canceled the men’s basketball game scheduled for Tuesday. The NHL has also canceled Tuesday’s Blue Jackets game.

On Wellness Wednesday we discuss the latest on COVID and the omicron variant heading into the holidays. We'll also discuss the FDA's move to allow access to abortion pills by mail and a new study that shows how football injuries affect more than just the brain.

COVID-19 infection rates and hospitalizations are increasing as the holidays approach. After President Biden’s latest update on the White House’s plans to distribute free at-home-rapid tests we’ll get the latest updates in the ongoing struggle to deal with the virus and its variants.

Healthcare workers continue to fight the all-out battle against the deadly coronavirus that has been going on for two years straight.

A major spike in Coronavirus cases throughout the state has nurses, doctors and other health officials very worried. They say we are headed into another deadly COVID winter, and if more Ohioans don't get vaccinated, the highly infectious omicron variant could lead to even more infections and hospitalizations, breaking last winter's records.

Understaffed hospitals are already coping with increased patient demand heading into the holidays. They have few options to expand if omicron creates a huge new wave of COVID patients.

Sporting events and live theater announced cancellations amid major increases in new coronavirus cases, in large part because of the omicron variant.

State health officials said the ongoing COVID pandemic in Ohio continues to worsen and could do so even more as winter sets in.

Nine states have active mask mandates, even as the new variant is quickly moving in on the U.S. Despite their political unpopularity, research shows masks still work and could save lives.