Coronavirus

Latest Updates

Lesser horseshoe bat (Rhinolophus hipposideros), several females in maternity roost with young, extremely endangered species, Thuringia, Germany.

Viruses found in Laos bats are closest known relatives to SARS-CoV-2

By Rachael Rettner

Strengthening case for natural origin.

A sign in Medfield, MA commemorating the victims of the 1918 flu pandemic.

COVID-19 has now killed as many people in the U.S. as the 1918 Spanish flu

By Yasemin Saplakoglu

The 1918-1919 flu pandemic led to approximately 675,000 deaths in the U.S.

A healthcare worker vaccinates a child.

Pfizer says its COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective for younger kids

By Yasemin Saplakoglu

A lower dose of the vaccine showed to be safe, well-tolerated and effective in spurring antibodies in kids between 5 to 11 years of age, the company announced.

Vials of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine lined up.

Pfizer & BioNTech will soon seek approval for COVID-19 vaccine in young children

By Yasemin Saplakoglu

The youngest age that a person can get a COVID-19 vaccine is 12. That may change soon.

Images of Katalin Karikó (left) and Drew Weissman (right)

2 scientists win $3 million 'Breakthrough Prize' for mRNA tech behind COVID-19 vaccines

By Nicoletta Lanese

An illustration of the coronavirus.

New 'mu' coronavirus variant could escape vaccine-induced immunity, WHO says

By Rachael Rettner

The variant was first detected in Colombia in January 2021.

A COVID-19 patient in Dhaka, Bangladesh on July 7, 2021.

Huge, gold-standard study shows unequivocally that surgical masks work to reduce coronavirus spread

By Yasemin Saplakoglu

Results from a massive study in Bangladesh unequivocally show that surgical masks reduce the spread of SARS-CoV-2, scientists say.

Image of ivermectin tablets. In the U.S., prescriptions for ivermectin have increased 24-fold in recent weeks, compared with pre-pandemic levels, according to the CDC.

Ivermectin won't treat COVID-19, but it might kill you, CDC warns

By Rachael Rettner

Ivermectin does not treat or prevent COVID-19, and it can cause deadly side effects.

A syringe in front of a Johnson&Johnson logo.

Johnson & Johnson booster shot increases antibodies to coronavirus nine-fold, company says

By Yasemin Saplakoglu

People who received a booster Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 vaccine six to eight months after their initial dose had a nine-fold increase in antibodies, according to clinical trial results.

Antibodies attack a coronavirus particle in this illustration.

These delta variant mutations may explain its scary power

By Stephanie Pappas

These mutations may make delta the most transmissible coronavirus variant yet. Here's how the variant became so formidable.

Two people in yellow gowns, gloves, face shields and masks tend to a COVID-19 patient in a hospital bed

'Shredder' enzyme might tear cells apart in severe COVID-19

By Nicoletta Lanese

The enzyme could be a helpful target for future treatments, the study authors suggest.

Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine.

FDA grants full approval for Pfizer-BioNTech coronavirus vaccine

By Yasemin Saplakoglu

The Food and Drug Administration granted full approval to Pfizer-BioNTech's COVID-19 vaccine on Monday (Aug.23). It's the first COVID-19 vaccine in the U.S. to be fully approved.

Image of a syringe and COVID-19 vaccine.

US to recommend COVID-19 vaccine booster shots 8 months post-vaccination

By Yasemin Saplakoglu

U.S. health officials are expected to recommend that people receive an additional COVID-19 vaccine dose eight months after their second dose.

Antibodies attack a coronavirus particle in this illustration.

Does the explosion of the delta variant mean we need a new COVID-19 vaccine?

By Stephanie Pappas

COVID-19 vaccines largely prevent severe illness, but the delta variant raises the question of whether and when booster shots will be needed.

Ilustration of nerve cells.

COVID-19 could mix up body's 'fight-or-flight' system

By Yasemin Saplakoglu

There's still much that’s unknown about the subtle impacts a typical COVID-19 infection may have on the body and the nervous system.

Coronavirus model on computer.

Here's what you need to know about COVID-19 breakthrough infections

By Yasemin Saplakoglu

The COVID-19 vaccines that are used in the U.S. are highly effective. But sometimes, the coronavirus can still infect people who are vaccinated, causing so-called breakthrough infections.

A nurse checks on a patient in the ICU Covid-19 ward at NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital in Jonesboro, Arkansas, on Aug. 4, 2021.

How deadly is the coronavirus delta variant?

By Rachael Rettner

Early data suggests the delta variant may cause more severe disease.

A vaccine syringe and vial.

FDA to authorize 3rd COVID-19 vaccine dose for immunocompromised people

By Yasemin Saplakoglu

The FDA is planning to update the emergency use authorizations for Pfizer and Moderna's COVID-19 vaccines to include a third dose for immunocompromised people.

woman in face mask receiving vaccine

Which COVID-19 vaccine has the lowest rate of breakthrough infections?

By Nicoletta Lanese

Hints in the data suggest the Johnson & Johnson vaccine has the most breakthroughs, while Moderna has the least.

four healthcare workers sitting in chairs receiving vaccines from four other healthcare workers standing to their left sides

Vaccine-resistant coronavirus 'mutants' are more likely when transmission is high, new model finds

By Nicoletta Lanese

A new model lays out when vaccine-resistant mutants are most likely to emerge.