Amid the global concern over a new coronavirus strain has been one piece of hopeful news: Those infected with the omicron variant appear to have “very mild” symptoms, according to the South African doctor who first spotted the variant.

Dr. Angelique Coetzee told the BBC that neither she nor her colleagues had admitted anyone who had the strain to the hospital so far. Her patients had experienced extreme fatigue but no loss of taste or smell, which are often telltale symptoms of Covid-19, she said.

The early reports are encouraging, epidemiologists and other experts said. 

White House coronavirus team will brief governors, Congress on omicron variant this week Members of the White House COVID-19 response team will brief governors and members of Congress this week on the new coronavirus variant. McClatchy Washington Bureau

The Biden administration is planning a flurry of briefings with state and local officials this week to prepare them to detect and monitor the newly discovered omicron variant of the coronavirus, anticipating that it may show up inside the United States within a matter of days.

Biden vaccine rule for health workers blocked in 10 states | AP News JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A federal judge on Monday blocked President Joe Biden’s administration from enforcing a coronavirus vaccine mandate on thousands of health care workers in 10 states that had brought the first legal challenge against the requirement. AP NEWS

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Pfizer CEO thinks Covid-19 vaccine will work against Omicron variant, but could offer less protection Albert Bourla, CEO of Pfizer, said on CNBC’s Squawkbox Monday that he thinks the company's vaccine will work against the Omicron variant, but it could offer less protection. By <a href="/profiles/aditi-sandal">Aditi Sangal</a>, <a href="/profiles/helen-regan">Helen Regan</a>, <a href="/profiles/brad-lendon">Brad Lendon</a>, Rob Picheta and Ed Upright, CNN CNN

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Omicron outbreak turns up heat on EU over vaccine access India and South Africa want a waiver on patents, but Brussels is not budging. POLITICO

An outbreak of the new Omicron coronavirus variant in Southern Africa is boosting critics of the EU, who say that Brussels is preventing a quick roll-out of jabs across poor nations by zealously defending vaccine patents.

LONDON — The global risk of the new omicron variant is “very high,” the World Health Organization said Monday, as more countries reported cases of the variant, sparking worldwide concern that there is more pandemic suffering ahead.

In response to the spike in cases, an increasing number of nations are tightening their borders despite pleas for caution and outbursts of dismay from some. 

Moderna CEO says it'll take months to develop, ship coronavirus The CEO of Moderna on Monday said it will take months for the company to develop and ship a vaccine that targets the new COVID-19 omicron variant. Mychael Schnell TheHill

The CEO of Moderna on Monday said it will take months for the company to develop and ship a vaccine that targets the new COVID-19 omicron variant.