Novel Coronavirus

WBUR's ongoing coverage of the new coronavirus.

For some parents of younger children, the wait for a COVID vaccine has felt far too long. They're ready to take drastic action. (Jessica Hill/AP File)

Frustrated parents consider fibbing to get young kids a COVID jab. Doctors urge patience

There may be nothing magic about the current cutoff age of five, but many medical experts still advise against getting the jab for younger kids before it's authorized.

Boston City Council plans to press mayor's office on vaccine mandates

The Boston City Council plans to hold a hearing Friday to scrutinize Boston Mayor Michelle Wu's mandate that workers be vaccinated against COVID-19.

So far, Mass. residents have barely filed for COVID test reimbursements from insurers. Here's why

Some health insurers in Massachusetts reported that fewer than one in 2,000 members took advantage of the program. It's likely, experts say, that, among other reasons, many consumers are unaware...

WATCH: Baker makes COVID announcement

Baker will be joined by Secretary of Education James Peyser and Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education Jeffery Riley.

Here's when Boston plans to lift its COVID vaccine requirement for certain indoor venues

For the first time Tuesday, Boston Mayor Michelle outlined when exactly the city plans to lift its vaccination requirement for certain indoor venues, as the COVID rates continue to fall...

The pandemic has led to a surge in mental health need in Mass., survey finds

Researchers found that more than one in three Massachusetts residents over the age of 19 reported needing behavioral health care for themselves or a close relative.

Vaccine hesitancy or lack of access? New study examines racial gaps in COVID vaccination rates

The research suggest barriers to access were a more significant factor in vaccination disparities in the U.S. than the U.K.

Lawmakers send Baker $101 million COVID bill

The Legislature delivered a $101 million proposal to Gov. Charlie Baker Thursday that invests in COVID-19 rapid testing, high-quality masks, and vaccination equity for public schools, congregate care facilities, health...

Health

Feb 4, 2022

Massachusetts General Hospital. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

New omicron variant detected in Mass., MGH data show

The variant, known as BA.2, will likely increase in Massachusetts as it is elsewhere that cases have been detected, said Dr. Jacob Lemieux.

Health

Feb 3, 2022

Jessica Capobianco drops a COVID-19 test swab into a vial after testing a student at the Bromfield School. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

The first COVID-19 case in Massachusetts was detected 2 years ago

Over the past 24 months, almost 1.5 million Massachusetts residents have had confirmed cases of COVID-19 and many more likely contracted it. More than 24,000 people in the state have...

Health

Feb 1, 2022

Three nearly empty bottles of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine which can not be mixed to provide an addition dose for a vaccination shot. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

US gives full approval to Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine

U.S. health regulators on Monday granted full approval to Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine, a shot that's already been given to tens of millions of Americans since its emergency authorization over a...

Health

Jan 31, 2022

While welcoming the 10-fold drop in COVID wastewater levels from the height of the omicron wave, epidemiologists warned that the level of risk and transmission is still quite high.

Wastewater COVID is down 90% from its omicron peak. Experts are still concerned

“This decline is real and is a real good thing,” said Scott Olesen, an epidemiologist at Biobot Analytics, the biotech firm that’s partnered with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority to...

Health

Jan 28, 2022

A sign marks an entrance to a Moderna building in Cambridge, Mass., on Monday, May 18, 2020. (Bill Sikes/AP File)

Moderna begins testing omicron-matched COVID shots in adults

The company announced Wednesday that the first participant had received a dose. Earlier this week, competitor Pfizer began a similar study of its own reformulated shots.

Health

Jan 27, 2022

A patient at Tufts Medical Center in Boston receives a monoclonal antibody treatment. (Craig F. Walker/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Got COVID? Here's what to know about drug treatments, and who is getting them

There are four medications being used to help prevent hospitalizations. But supply has been so limited, even people in the highest risk category can't always access them. That's beginning to...

Health

05:40Jan 26, 2022

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu meets with the news media after touring Tufts Medical Center on Jan. 5. (Jesse Costa/WBUR)

Boston extends employee vaccination deadline by another week

Boston is once again pushing back the deadline for city employees to show proof of at least partial vaccination against COVID-19 — or be placed on unpaid leave. In a...

Health

Jan 23, 2022

At-home COVID-19 tests. (Photo Illustration by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

Which COVID test should you take, and how do you get reimbursed?

COVID-19 testing somehow gets more confusing by the day. Here's an explainer on the different tests available, when they should be used, and how to get reimbursed for buying them.

Health

Jan 21, 2022

An ICU floor at UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester. (Erin Clark/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

Nurses union urges state to declare state of emergency

The Massachusetts Nurses Association say hospitals across the state need to tighten visitation and extend quarantine for workers who catch COVID.

Health

Jan 21, 2022

Nurses care for a COVID-19 positive patient at UMass Memorial Hospital on Dec. 4, 2020 in Worcester, Massachusetts. (Allison Dinner/AFP/Getty Images)

State changes COVID reporting to distinguish between primary and incidental hospital cases

Primary refers to patients hospitalized because they have a serious case of COVID-19. The incidental patients are those who happen to test positive when they arrive with some other urgent...

Health

Jan 21, 2022

How to get your vaccination QR code onto your phone

Massachusetts gives the vaccinated a new option to access their COVID vaccination record electronically, and it comes with a QR code.

Health

Jan 19, 2022

Epidemiologists warn impacts of omicron could linger 'if you declare victory too quickly'

“Epidemics are symmetrical: just as many people get infected on the downside as the upside,” said Justin Lessler, an epidemiologist who is part of the COVID-19 Scenario Modeling Hub.

Health

Jan 19, 2022

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Frustrated parents consider fibbing to get young kids a COVID jab. Doctors urge patience

Boston City Council plans to press mayor's office on vaccine mandates

So far, Mass. residents have barely filed for COVID test reimbursements from insurers. Here's why

WATCH: Baker makes COVID announcement

Here's when Boston plans to lift its COVID vaccine requirement for certain indoor venues

The pandemic has led to a surge in mental health need in Mass., survey finds

Vaccine hesitancy or lack of access? New study examines racial gaps in COVID vaccination rates

Lawmakers send Baker $101 million COVID bill

New omicron variant detected in Mass., MGH data show

The first COVID-19 case in Massachusetts was detected 2 years ago

US gives full approval to Moderna's COVID-19 vaccine

Wastewater COVID is down 90% from its omicron peak. Experts are still concerned

Moderna begins testing omicron-matched COVID shots in adults

Got COVID? Here's what to know about drug treatments, and who is getting them

Boston extends employee vaccination deadline by another week

Which COVID test should you take, and how do you get reimbursed?

Nurses union urges state to declare state of emergency

State changes COVID reporting to distinguish between primary and incidental hospital cases

How to get your vaccination QR code onto your phone

Epidemiologists warn impacts of omicron could linger 'if you declare victory too quickly'