omicron

COVID-19 infections are back on the rise, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reporting "very high" viral activity nationwide.

Bassett Healthcare Network has temporarily ended inpatient visits to all of its hospitals. This all stems from the fast-spreading Omicron variant and the desire to keep the staff and patients at all Bassett Healthcare Network hospitals safe while the virus transmission rate is still high.

Gas prices in the Utica Rome area are falling slightly after reaching an 18-month high in November.

The surge in coronavirus cases driven by the omicron variant is the latest blow to hospitals, police departments, supermarkets and other critical operations.

Israeli ministers have agreed to ban travel to the United States, Canada and eight other countries amid the rapid, global spread of the omicron variant.

Governor Kathy Hohcul says a Minnesota man who tested positive for the Omicron variant of the coronavirus attended an anime convention in New York City last month.

Dr. Anthony Fauci said the person was a traveler who returned from South Africa on Nov. 22 and tested positive on Nov. 29.